| Many people do not realize it, but irritable | | | | pain, bloating, gas, and similar problems. It |
| bowel syndrome can actually also develop in | | | | is classified as being a functional disorder |
| children. Although the condition is not | | | | because it is caused by a problem in the |
| considered as being major or serious in any | | | | intestines, and it may be a cause of |
| way, the symptoms that are caused by the | | | | recurring abdominal pain in children. When it |
| condition can be incredibly frustrating and | | | | comes to the diagnosis of irritable bowel |
| annoying, not to mention embarrassing, | | | | syndrome in children, a basic diagnosis here |
| especially for children who are even less | | | | will usually be based on the child |
| able to deal with these sorts of things. In | | | | experiencing abdominal pain and cramping, as |
| children and adolescents, IBS affects girls | | | | well as on any of the following: the pain is |
| and boys equally and may be | | | | relieved after having a bowel movement, the |
| diarrhea-predominant, | | | | onset of pain is typically associated with a |
| constipation-predominant, or have a variable | | | | change in stool consistency, and the onset of |
| stool pattern. Children with IBS may also | | | | pain is associated with a change in the |
| have headache, nausea, or mucus in the stool. | | | | frequency of stools. |
| Weight loss may occur if a child eats less to | | | | |
| try to avoid pain. Some children first | | | | Although there are many similarities between |
| develop symptoms after a stressful event, | | | | irritable bowel syndrome in adults and |
| such as teething, a bout with the flu, or | | | | irritable bowel syndrome in children, there |
| problems at school or at home. Stress does | | | | are many differences as well. For instance, |
| not cause IBS, but it can trigger symptoms. | | | | in order to diagnose the condition the doctor |
| | | | will have to ask questions about the symptoms |
| To diagnose IBS, the doctor will ask | | | | the child is experiencing and physically |
| questions about symptoms and examine the | | | | examine the child in order to rule out more |
| child to rule out more serious problems or | | | | serious problems and diseases. With the |
| diseases. IBS is not a disease-it is a | | | | condition of irritable bowel syndrome in |
| syndrome, or group of symptoms that occur | | | | children, the attending doctor will usually |
| together. It does not damage the intestine, | | | | treat the condition with a change in diet, or |
| so if the physical exam and other tests show | | | | at least this will be their first attempt. |
| no sign of disease or damage, the doctor may | | | | This includes getting the child to eat more |
| diagnose IBS. In children, IBS is treated | | | | fiber, drink more water, and eat less fatty |
| mainly through changes in diet-eating more | | | | and greasy foods. Medications are also often |
| fiber and less fat to help prevent spasms-and | | | | recommended, although special care has to be |
| through bowel training to teach the child to | | | | taken here because medications affect |
| empty the bowels at regular, specific times | | | | children a lot differently than they do |
| during the day. Medications like laxatives | | | | adults. |
| are rarely prescribed because children are | | | | |
| more susceptible to addiction than adults. | | | | Although the symptoms of irritable bowel |
| When laxatives are necessary, parents must | | | | syndrome can usually be relieved or even |
| follow the doctor's instructions carefully. | | | | completely eliminated simply with a change in |
| Learning stress management techniques may | | | | diet or with medication, if this does not |
| also help some children. | | | | seem to be enough then further steps are |
| | | | going to need to be taken. Hypnosis, yoga, |
| There is a lot of important information to | | | | and other relaxation techniques are often |
| know when it comes to irritable bowel | | | | used to reduce stress and help relieve the |
| syndrome in children. For one, it is a | | | | symptoms associated with the condition, for |
| digestive disorder that causes abdominal | | | | instance. |