Children's Digestive Disorders

Children are more likely to develop a digestive disorder than adults. According to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, if your child's digestive system is not working properly, his body may be denied the vital minerals, vitamins, fats, carbohydrates and proteins that it needs for optimal health. While even simple bouts with diarrhea or vomiting can lead to dehydration, prolonged digestive troubles can lead to an actual state of malnutrition, detrimentally affecting your child's physical and mental well-being.

Colic

• Colic typically affects infants between three to four months of age and is characterized, according to the University of Virginia Health System, by the "rule of three": three days of crying, for more than three days per week, for at least a three-week period of time. Other symptoms of colic include excessive gas, flushed face, tense abdomen, cold feet and clenched fists. Although doctors are not sure what causes colic, some instigating factors may be a milk allergy, oversensitivity to gas or the infant's attempt to get what she needs as she adjusts to her new parents and the new world around her. A doctor should always be consulted, as the symptoms of colic can mimic other illnesses. Colic usually resolves itself by the time the infant reaches four months of age.

Reflux

• Reflux is when the sphincter separating the stomach from the esophagus malfunctions, causing stomach contents to back up into the esophagus or the mouth. According to Your Total Health, reflux affects 50 percent of U.S. infants under three months, and approximately 7 million children and teenagers will experience reflux to some degree. Occasional reflux is normal; however, if your child is experiencing repeated incidents, especially if accompanied by vomiting, poor growth, weight loss or breathing difficulty, a doctor should be consulted, as this could indicate a more serious issue. Reflux disorder is typically treated with diet and lifestyle modifications, medication, and in rare cases, surgery.

Lactose Intolerance

• Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest the milk sugar lactose due to a lack of the enzyme lactase. According to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, lactose intolerance in children is typically caused by injury to the small intestine or by the presence of another digestive ailment. Symptoms, which present about 30 minutes following the ingestion of lactose, include diarrhea, nausea, bloating, cramps and gas. Since these symptoms can mimic other illnesses, you should always consult your pediatrician. Most cases of lactose intolerance can be managed through diet alone; however, depending on the severity of your child's condition, her pediatrician may prescribe medication or enzyme therapy to alleviate symptoms.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

• CVS is typified by periods of repeated nausea and vomiting, lasting from a few hours to several days, followed by even longer symptom-free periods. According to Your Total Health, CVS is most often diagnosed in young children, usually in girls from three to seven years old, generally dissipating by the teenage years. CVS is idiopathic (of unknown cause); however, researchers have found evidence to suggest there is link between CVS and migraines and panic attacks (sudden hyperventilation triggered by fear and stress). CVS triggers include infection, overeating, excitement and stress. CVS can only be diagnosed by eliminating other disorders and is typically treated with lifestyle modifications and medication.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

• IBS is a chronic disorder of the large intestine resulting in a myriad of symptoms including gas, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, cramps and bloating. According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, IBS affects 6 to 14 percent of adolescents. It is believed to be caused by overeating, by eating greasy food, chocolate or milk or by emotional stress. Although medication can be prescribed to alleviate some symptoms, there is no cure for IBS. It must be carefully managed by avoiding trigger foods and by getting plenty of sleep and exercise to maintain optimal health and relieve stress.

Encopresis

• Encopresis, according to Your Total Health, is fecal incontinence in children four years of age and older. It generally occurs as the result of impacted stool caused by chronic constipation, or, in rare cases, encopresis can occur as a result of poor toilet training or behavioral problems. If your child has encopresis, he may experience abdominal pain and appetite loss. He may also attempt to avoid bowel movements because they are too painful. This avoidance can cause stool to leak from his anus and may also stretch the colon, causing damage to the nerves that signal bowel movements. Treatment for encopresis will include cleaning out the colon, stool softening medication to allow the colon time to heal and teaching your child to develop regular bathroom habits.

Intussusception

• Intussusception is a life-threatening condition in which one portion of the intestine (small or large) collapses in a "sliding" fashion into another, cutting off blood flow and causing intestinal blockage. Intussusception is characterized by a sudden, sharp pain, followed by fever, bloody stool, diarrhea and vomiting. According to Your Total Health, intussusception typically occurs in children from three months to six years old; the cause is generally unknown. The usual treatment involves forcing air into the affected area in an effort to move the intestine back into place. If this procedure fails, surgery will be required. If treated within 24 hours of onset, the prognosis for children with intussusception is excellent; if left untreated it is usually fatal.