“Tiny Tummies, Big Trouble: Understanding Childhood Constipation the Ayurvedic Way"

 

Constipation is a delay or difficulty in passing stools, often enough to cause discomfort or distress in the child. It is a very common condition, especially among toddlers and preschoolers.

Types of Constipation

There are two main types of constipation seen in children:

• Organic Constipation – This occurs due to underlying structural or anatomical abnormalities and requires medical or surgical correction for resolution.

• Functional Constipation – This is the most common type, accounting for nearly 85% of childhood constipation cases. It typically results from poor dietary habits and lifestyle factors.

Functional constipation often forms a vicious cycle: hard stools cause painful defecation → the child withholds stools to avoid the pain → stools become harder → defecation becomes more painful — and the cycle continues.

How to Identify Functional Constipation in Your Child?

You may suspect functional constipation if your child shows one or more of the following signs:

• Passes stools only two times or less per week
• Complains of painful or hard stools
• Passes large stools that may clog the toilet
• Exhibits stool withholding behavior: stiffening of the body and crying during bowel movements in infants; walking on tiptoes or tightening the buttocks in older children

Common Causes of Functional Constipation

• Improper toilet training practices
• Lack of physical activity
• Diet low in fiber and fluids
• Illness or recent change in food habits
• Inaccessibility to clean or private toilets

Possible Complications if Left Untreated

If constipation is not addressed in time, it may lead to:

• Chronic abdominal discomfort
• Loss of appetite and taste
• Bedwetting and urinary tract infections
• Fecal incontinence
• Anal fissures and rectal prolapse
• Difficulty concentrating and decreased interest in play and learning

What Ayurveda Says About Constipation

From an Ayurvedic standpoint, constipation (Vibandha) may arise due to:

• Excessive consumption of dry, pungent, astringent, or bitter foods — commonly seen with high intake of processed items like biscuits, breads, and refined flour products
• Eating at irregular times or excessive fasting
• Suppressing natural urges like urination or defecation
• Improper initiation of weaning or complementary feeding
• Emotional factors such as fear, anxiety, or grief

Preventing Constipation: Ayurvedic Lifestyle Tips

• Include wholesome, seasonal, and freshly cooked meals with rice, wheat, ragi, vegetables, pulses, ghee, and milk
• Avoid Viruddha Ahara (incompatible food combinations) — like milk with salty or meat-based foods, or fruit-milk combinations like milkshakes
• Ensure meals are taken only after the previous one is digested
• Encourage regular physical activity and outdoor play
• Limit intake of refined foods like biscuits, noodles, pizzas, burgers, etc.

Ayurvedic Case Experience: Treating Functional Constipation

Here’s a real-life case from my clinical experience:

A 3-year-old child presented with severe constipation, stool withholding behavior, painful defecation, poor appetite, frequent respiratory infections, and disinterest in play. The child weighed only 9 kg, which is underweight for the age group.

Upon dietary evaluation, it was noted that the child’s diet mostly consisted of milk with minimal solids, and occasional non-vegetarian food.

We initiated Ayurvedic treatment:

• Abhyanga (full-body massage) and Basti (medicated enema) were administered over 10 days.
• Oral herbal formulations including gentle laxatives and carminatives were introduced.
• Parents were guided to gradually include vegetables, cereals, pulses, ghee, and buttermilk in the child’s daily meals.

After 60 days of consistent therapy and dietary corrections, the child began to pass stools regularly and painlessly — without any dependence on medication. Over a one-year follow-up, the child remained symptom-free and showed improved appetite and overall activity levels.

Constipation in children is common but treatable. Functional constipation responds very well to timely dietary correction, lifestyle changes, and Ayurvedic therapies. Early intervention not only relieves discomfort but also prevents long-term complications.

For further guidance or consultation, feel free to reach us at:
📧 ayuvatsa01@gmail.com