stomach pain

Irritable Bowel Syndrome In Children

Irritable bowel syndrome in children usually fluctuates or usually recurring. The symptoms go away for a certain period of time then eventually return for no apparent reasons. It affects both the girl and boy population equally. Majority of the population continue to report symptoms of the condition after 5 years of initial diagnosis. In diagnosing IBS, doctors usually ask questions and examine the child for more serious problems or diseases.

The diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome in children is based on having abdominal pain plus any of the two following conditions:

  1. The pain is relieved by having a bowel movement
  2. The onset of pain is associated with a change in the frequency in stools or irregularities in bowel movement
  3. The onset of pain is changed with a change in stool consistency
    Children with IBS also experience headache, nausea, or mucus in their stool. Weight loss sometimes occurs especially if the child avoids eating to rid himself of discomfort and pain. There are children who first show signs or symptoms after incurring stress such as teething, a bout with flu, school related problems or at home. Remember stress doesn’t trigger IBS but it can trigger its symptoms.

Points to remember about irritable syndrome in children:

  1. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel habits.
  2. IBS is common among children of all ages
  3. The treatment for IBS includes proper diet, medication, and stress management
  4. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress among children, but is not life threatening, does not damage the bowel, and does not progress to other diseases.
  5. IBS is not a disease it is a syndrome, or group of syndromes that occur together. It does not damage the intestines.

Medications like laxatives are rarely prescribed to children because they are more susceptible to addiction than adults. If laxatives are necessary for the treatment of IBS, parents should follow correct orders from the doctor. Stress management techniques may also be of help to some children. Irritable bowel syndrome in children can be treated by following a healthy diet, proper bowel training and medications.