Content
Encopresis is a condition characterized by the leakage of feces in the child's underwear which, in most cases, happens involuntarily and without the child noticing it.
This leakage of feces 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 constipation again. For this, it may be necessary for the child to be accompanied by a child psychologist or a pediatrician, since it is very common for constipation to happen for psychological reasons, such as being afraid or ashamed of using the toilet.
Despite being more common in boys after the age of 4, encopresis can occur at any age. In adults, the problem is usually known as fecal incontinence and affects the elderly more, mainly due to changes in the functioning of the muscles that form the rectum and anus. Understand better why it happens and how to treat faecal incontinence in adults.
What causes encopresis
Although it can arise from changes in the child's digestive system, in most cases, encopresis appears as a sequel to chronic constipation, which causes muscle tone and sensitivity in the anal region to be impaired. When this happens, the child may leak stool without realizing or controlling it.
The main causes of constipation that can result in encopresis are:
- Fear or shame of using the toilet;
- Anxiety during learning to use the toilet;
- Be going through a period of stress;
- Difficulty in reaching or accessing the bathroom;
- Low fiber diet with excess fats and carbohydrates;
- Little fluid intake;
- Anal fissure, which causes pain during bowel movement.
- Diseases that slow down the functioning of the intestine, as in hypothyroidism.
- Mental problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or schizophrenia.
Encopresis is considered only in children aged 4 years and over, because before this age, it is normal to have greater difficulty in controlling the desire to defecate. In addition, it is common for encopresis to be accompanied by enuresis, which is urinary incontinence during the night. Know even when it is normal for the child to wet the bed.
How the treatment is done
Encopresis has a cure, and to be treated it is necessary to resolve its cause, it is essential to be patient and help the child develop a habit of using the toilet regularly, in addition to making improvements in food, with fruits, vegetables and liquids, to prevent constipation. Learn what to do to combat constipation in your child.
In a situation of constipation, the pediatrician or gastroenterologist may recommend the use of laxatives, in syrup, tablet or suppositories, such as Lactulose or Polyethylene glycol, for example, to prevent the appearance of encopresis.
Psychotherapy can also be recommended, especially when it is identified that the child has psychological obstacles that do not allow him to be comfortable with the use of the toilet and the evacuation of feces.
If encopresis is caused by a disease that affects the child's digestive tract, specific treatment of the disease may be necessary and, in rarer situations, surgery to strengthen the anal sphincter region.
Consequences of encopresis
Encopresis can cause some negative consequences in children, especially at a psychological level, 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.