9yr old with BM issues

[jules952]

Ok, so my 9 yr old son has seriously HUGE solid BM'S! When he was little he would
get constipated all the time. I don't think that is the issue now. He seems to go on a regular
basis. But he is bent over in pain on ocassion when heading to the bathroom.
This last one was so big(one solid log), that it didn't budge when the toilet was flushed.
I know that it had to hurt like hell when it came out of him. What can cause this, and what
can we do? All his BM'S are large and solid.  
He is otherwise a happy, healthy kid. Very active, and creative!
Thanks in advance for the help/suggestions!

[Bon-Bon]

It is normal to have "huge" bowel movements.  What is not normal is "small" bowel movements.  

We are often very surprised even perplexed, in cases such as children, that such a large thing can come out of such a small body.  It seems almost impossible to us (adults);  afterall, we adults have larger bodies and most of us don't even see bowl movements come out of ourselves that large.  So, we are inclined to think, "How in the world can a child pass such a large stool, something must be wrong?!"  

Built up fecal matter that adheres to the side walls of the intestines and colon most often happens and increases over time as we become older,  most likely due to a lack of proper fiber, and /or nutrition intake; usually resulting in smaller, thinner bowel movements, etc.  This is not healthy; but, because many adults have experienced this type of bowl movement for many years, we have come to wrongly assume that this is what is "normal", when in fact, it's not.

When we are young, we normally have not had time to build up old fecal matter and gunk (for a lack of a better word) on the side walls of our intestines / colon and are able to have large solid bowel movements, as intended.  That is how it is suppose to be all our lives.

I feel their is no need for alarm.  Yes, its adviseable to consult with your doctor regarding any health concerns.  

I think you will find that if you gradually increased his fiber intake and pure water - daily,  it will significantly ease his bowel movements with little to no discomfort.

By the way, I use to experience smaller thinner bowl movements.  I increased daily fiber and water and now I have healthy large movements everyday.  Awesome for such a thin person myself.  So, everyone should expect large daily bowl movements; even children, because, if you don't, where is all that food you've been ingesting going?  It's just sitting there firmenting like a sewer and is to blame for many sicknesses and ailments ....too numerous to mention.

[Brendricky]

Hey hun my friends son has the same problem.  When he was little as well he would get constipated and then when he would go it was painful so then what happened was he was holding it until he could no longer because it hurt to much to go. He wound up giving himself an enlarged colon of some sort i cant remember the correct name for it but his bm's are the size of your arm from wrist to elbow and about around as a metal railing. He is now on a medication drink mix that helps him very much. You might want to talk to your pediatrician and ask him about it.

Hugs and Love Bren

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Two possibilities are there. Sometimes too much water is absorbed by the large intestine, leaving a very hard and dry stool that can't be passed without straining.Secondly, any type of colonic motility disorder or spasticity can cause a decrease in motility, resulting in huge,solid stools.It can be due to hypothyroidism and hyperparathyroidism(by raising the calcium levels in the blood), intestinal pseudo-obstruction, Hirschsprung's disease, Chagas disease,colon inertia(nerves and/or muscles of the colon do not work normally) and pelvic floor dysfunction(the muscles of the lower pelvis that surround the rectum (the pelvic floor muscles) do not work normally).

I sincerely advise you to consult a pediatric gastroenterologist and get colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy done to confirm a diagnosis out of all these. Also try to increase the fiber and fluid intake in his diet.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how your son is doing or if you have any additional queries. Kind regards.