Medications

Medications
FROM THE TOP
OSMOTIC MEDICATION OR STOOL SOFTNERS

Osmotic laxatives

- Osmotic laxatives draw water into the colon to keep poop mushy and to make pooping less painful.
- They are not habit forming.
- If your child cannot achieve that spontaneous poop without laxatives, it is because his/her rectum is stretched and not operating as it should.
- Pegicol/ Lacson/Movicol/Duphalax/ Glycerine suppository

Stimulates
- Stimulates the colon to contract and move
- Move the poop in the colon to the rectum
- Dulcolax, Senna. Picolax

Bottom up Approah
Total emptying of the rectum and colon can take up to 2 days and can again get
impacted in 3 days.
As soon as stools get to a watery consistence with tiny bits of stools in it: like lemonade with bits of brown, the colon is clear.


Safety Rules:
  • Never perform enemas on a child with kidney disease. If your child has another chronic disease, consult your doctor before doing enemas.
  • Limit enemas to one per day. (Oil enemas are safe as a second daily enema; they do not stimulate the colon.)
  • If your child does not poop after an enema, call your doctor. This is extremely rare.
  • Never force your child to have an enema. You absolutely must have your child’s consent
    • Enemas do a superior job of clearing out the rectum.
    • Osmotic laxatives draw water into the colon to keep poop mushy and to make pooping less painful.
    • They are not habit forming.
    • Stimulant laxatives prompt the intestinal muscles to contract and squeeze out the idle poop.
Guidelines for Preventing a Relapse
Maintenance is critical. Many families are, understandably, so excited when the wetting stops that they move on with life and then constipation creeps back, and it all starts again.
  • Poop on a schedule.
    Pooping is a non-negotiable part of their daily routine. At first, they need a schedule and eventually they will get in the habit of going right when the urge hits. After breakfast and after dinner are two great times to poop, as the urge to poop is generally strongest after eating, especially in the morning.
  • Pee on a schedule.
    Kids should use the toilet right before bed, first thing in the morning, and about every two hours throughout the day.
  • Eat “real food".
    Nothing clogs up a child’s insides like a diet of sugary cereals, yogurt tubes, chicken nuggets, and gummy bears!
  • Poop with a stool
    Poop with a stool for life. Pooping in the squatting position needs to be a lifelong habit. Set an example by pooping with a stool yourself.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.
    Drinking fluids through the day will keep your child’s bladder on a constant filling/emptying cycle. Encourage your child to drink every few hours rather than guzzle a whole bottle at once. Sipping ensures the bladder does not fill too quickly or remain empty for too long. Let your child choose a fun water bottle to keep in the classroom and another one to carry around outside of school.
  • Stay active.
    A recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day as suggested. Exercise is critical to keeping your child’s insides humming along.