How to Manage Constipation Due to Spleen Deficiency in Children?

Children's spleen and stomach development is not yet perfect compared to adults. Inadequate attention to diet or insufficient exercise may lead to spleen deficiency in children, which can easily cause symptoms of constipation, which is detrimental to their growth and development.

In such cases, it is not advisable to treat blindly with medication. Instead, parents should focus on adjusting their child's dietary structure and help them develop good eating habits by not being picky about food. Let's briefly explore how to regulate constipation due to spleen deficiency in children.

1. Eat foods rich in dietary fiber

Parents should provide their children with foods rich in dietary fiber, such as sweet potatoes and green leafy vegetables. For children who dislike vegetables, parents can consider making vegetable soup, wrapping them in dumplings or wontons, or shaping them into balls.

2. Eat small meals frequently

Children should eat about 70-80% full during meals. Their gastrointestinal function is relatively weak, so it is not advisable to eat too much or too late in the evening, as this may affect digestion and sleep.

3. Avoid blind medication

In cases of uncertainty, parents should not use medication blindly. Instead, they should take their child to a hospital for professional consultation and follow the doctor's advice when using medication.

4. Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables

Children's diets should be predominantly light, with a balanced combination of meat and vegetables to meet their basic nutritional needs for growth and development. They should consume less oil and salt. Additionally, parents should encourage their children to exercise, such as running or walking briskly, to improve their physical fitness.

5. Limit fried and processed foods

Parents should also limit their children's intake of fried foods, fast food, snacks, desserts, and puffed foods such as potato chips, which contain high levels of sugar and fat. Eating too much of these foods can affect the child's digestion and absorption.

6. Massage

Massaging the child's abdomen can help promote gastrointestinal motility. Parents can visit a specialized pediatric massage clinic or learn simple techniques to help with the massage.