Encopresia is a condition characterized by stool leakage in the child’s underwear that, in most cases, occurs inadvertently and without the child noticing.
This stool leak usually occurs after the child has gone through a period of constipation and therefore the main form of treatment is to prevent the child from suffering from constipation again. To do this, it may be necessary for the child to be accompanied by a child psychologist or a pediatrician, as it is very common for constipation to occur for psychological reasons, such as being afraid or embarrassing to go to the bathroom.
- Although it is most common in children after age 4.
- Encopresia can occur at any age.
- In adults.
- The problem is generally known as fecal incontinence and affects older adults more.
- Mainly due to changes in the functioning of the muscles that form the rectum and anus.
- Better understand why this happens and how to treat fecal incontinence in adults.
Although it may be the result of changes in the child’s digestive system, encopresia appears most of the time as a sequel to chronic constipation, resulting in impaired muscle tone and sensitivity of the region. When this happens, the child can escape from the stool without realizing or being able to control it.
The main causes of constipation that can lead to encopresia are
Encopresia is only considered in children 4 years of age or older, as before this age it is normal to have more difficulty controlling the desire to defecate. In addition, it is common for encopresion to be accompanied by enuresis, which is nocturnal urinary incontinence. Even know when it’s normal for the child to wet the bed.
Encopresia has a cure, and to be treated you have to solve the cause, it is essential to have patience and help the child develop the habit of regularly using the bath, in addition to making improvements in the diet, with fruits, vegetables and liquids. , to prevent constipation. Learn how to fight constipation in your child.
In constipation, the pediatrician or gastroenterologist may recommend the use of laxatives, in the form of syrup, pills or suppositories, such as lactulous or polyethylene glycol, for example, to prevent the onset of encopresia.
Psychotherapy may also be recommended, especially when the child is identified as having psychological barriers that do not allow him or her to feel comfortable with the use of bathrooms and stool evacuation.
If encopresia is caused by a disease that affects the child’s digestive tract, specific treatment of the disease and, in rarer situations, surgery to strengthen the region of the anal sphincter may be necessary.
Encopresia can have negative consequences in children, especially psychologically, such as low self-esteem, irritation or social isolation. Therefore, it is very important that, during treatment, parents offer support to the child, avoiding excessive criticism.