IBS and Children

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, (IBS) is not related to any specific age, gender or type of personality.  This chronic disorder can be a part of anyone’s life if the digestive system not functioning properly. 

The syndrome often causes symptoms of abdominal cramping and pain, constipation and diarrhea.  Because it can become a problem for anyone, it is important to identify whether your child has any of these symptoms.  If so, then you can take a series of steps to help them move past IBS. 

One of the tell tale signs to help you determine whether your child has IBS, is establishing when and how long their symptoms have occurred.  IBS is known to be a chronic disorder if it occurs for a period of more than twelve weeks in any given year. 

You may notice the symptoms are triggered following a stressful event in the child’s life, such as a sickness or school problems.  Whilst this will not be the direct cause for IBS, it will often help trigger the symptoms. 

If you have noticed several of the IBS symptoms in your child, it is strongly recommended that you take them for a doctor’s opinion.  This will ensure the symptoms are due to IBS and not due to another disorder.

A Doctor will be able to perform specific examinations related to IBS to determine whether your child's symptoms are due to IBS or whether they are due to a specific disease.  From here, they can make recommendations on how to treat the problem. 

It is also advisable to begin making changes in your child’s lifestyle to prevent further recurrences of IBS. You may feel unhappy administering to your child the same medications an adult takes for IBS, especially since the formulas are particularly strong and may cause further complications. You may wish to take more natural approaches to treating the problem. 

One of the major changes that will need to be made is adjusting the child’s diet.  It is known that eating more fiber and less fat will help the child to overcome the problem of IBS.

You can also try adding supplements the child’s diet to help their diet become more balanced. If you have noticed your child is not taking enough physical activity, you might want to encourage a change by allowing them more time to run and play. 

One option you may also want to consider is talking to your child and establishing what might be causing them particular stress or anxiety. IBS symptoms are usually triggered by stresses in the child.  If you allow them to open up and talk about what is bothering them, it will calm them down and help with the prevention of IBS. 

When you combine a change in diet, shift in activities and talking to your children about the things that they are finding stressful, you should be able to prevent the symptoms of IBS. 

Knowing and recognizing the symptoms occurring in your child, then taking the appropriate steps to treat or prevent them is a way to make sure that you are helping your child  get rid of any discomfort.