Pediatric Functional Constipation
Pediatric functional constipation (pediatric chronic constipation) refers to constipation in children under 18 years of age who have no more than two bowel movements per week, with hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass, after congenital megacolon has been ruled out. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it falls within the category of “pediatric constipation.”
TCM Pattern Identification and Medication Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Hard, dry stools; scant, dark-yellow urine; dry mouth and halitosis; yellow, greasy tongue coating; slippery, rapid pulse
In Plain Language:
- Stools are hard and dry and difficult to pass, requiring more effort than usual.
- Urine is scant and yellow or dark in color.
- There is marked dry mouth and strong-smelling breath or bad breath.
- The tongue coating is yellow and thick or greasy-looking.
- The pulse feels slippery and relatively fast.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Reduce food accumulation and stagnation; clear heat and moisten the intestines
In Plain Language:
- Address accumulated food and stagnation in the intestines to ease fullness, belching, and the feeling of blockage or difficulty passing stool.
- Clear intestinal heat and moisten the intestines, helping soften hard stools so bowel movements may be easier and require less straining, with less discomfort.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Feeling the urge to defecate but lacking strength to strain; abdominal distension and poor appetite; pale tongue, thin coating, deficient pulse
In Plain Language:
- There is an urge to have a bowel movement, but it is difficult to push.
- The abdomen feels full and uncomfortable, and appetite is poor.
- The tongue looks pale.
- The tongue coating is thin.
- The pulse feels weak.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Tonify and benefit the Lung and Spleen; promote qi movement and moisten the intestines
In Plain Language:
- Support Lung and Spleen function and their role in transforming and transporting nutrients, which may help address shortness of breath, fatigue, and poor appetite.
- Promote the smooth movement of qi to ease fullness and the sensation of blockage, and support intestinal motility.
- Moisten the intestines and soften stools so bowel movements may be easier and require less straining, with less discomfort.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Feeling the urge to defecate but lacking strength to strain; fatigue and a sallow complexion; delayed growth and development; pale tongue with thin coating; deep, slow pulse
In Plain Language:
- There is an urge to have a bowel movement, but there is little strength to push, making the process difficult.
- There is fatigue and low energy, and the complexion looks sallow and dull.
- Growth and development progress slowly, and the child may appear to be growing more slowly than expected.
- The tongue looks pale, with a very thin coating.
- The pulse feels deep and slow, with reduced strength.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Nourish Kidney yin, strengthen the body’s foundation, and promote bowel movements
In Plain Language:
- Nourish Kidney yin and fluids and help balance deficiency heat. This approach is described as addressing discomforts such as dry mouth, hot flashes, and night sweats, as well as soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees.
- Strengthen the body’s underlying foundation, moisten the intestines, and support their propulsive action to soften hard stools and promote easier bowel movements with less straining and discomfort.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Youssef NN, Di Lorenzo C. Childhood constipation: evaluation and treatment[J]. J Clin Gastroenterol, 2001, (33): 199-205.
- Zhang Shucheng, Wang Weilin, Qu Ribin, et al. Epidemiological characteristics of functional constipation in children: a cross-sectional survey in five cities in northern China[J]. Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, 2010, 31(7): 751-754.