The Ins and Outs of Poop: A Guide to Treating Childhood Constipation - Softcover

Thomas R. DuHamel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0985496916 ISBN 13: 9780985496913

Publisher: Maret Publishing, 2012

Synopsis

STOOL WITHHOLDING? SOILING? Functional constipation (encopresis) is an increasingly common condition that can cause children aged 2 to 12 years to soil their underwear and have full-blown poop accidents without any awareness that they have to use the toilet. The good news is that the warning signs of functional constipation can be recognized and dealt with before it becomes a source of pain and shame for children and their parents. This is a first-of-its-kind book about childhood constipation. It is a how-to book for parents and a treatment guide for pediatric healthcare specialists. Occasional or mild constipation is very common in children. However, more than 20% of children who have occasional constipation go on to develop a more severe type of constipation known as functional constipation or encopresis. Functional constipation occurs when children do not sense the need to defecate. Some of these children accidentally soil in their underwear, which causes them embarrassment. Functional constipation is not a disease but it does cause serious physical and emotional problems which can be prevented by knowing what to do when a child develops occasional constipation. Because functional constipation can persist for months or years, treatment can be stressful for everyone involved, including healthcare providers. To treat functional constipation, parents and providers work together as a treatment team over an extended period of time to manage and resolve the problem. There are six steps required to effectively treat functional constipation: 1. Educate the family 2. Empty the rectum 3. End withholding 4. Shrink the rectum 5. Withdraw laxatives 6. Remain vigilant Each step is explained in detail along with the tools needed for successful implementation, such as forms for data collection and instruction in the use of laxatives and incentives. There are many stories written by parents describing specific aspects of their child's treatment. The book is written in a light-hearted fashion and uses cartoon-like illustrations to highlight key points. It emphasizes the very good news that with comprehensive care, functional constipation can be dramatically improved.

About this title

About the Author

Dr DuHamel is a clinical child psychologist in private practice with the Associates in Behavior and Child Development, ABCD Inc, in Seattle, Washington. He is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr DuHamel graduated from Brown University and earned his doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He completed a postdoctoral residency in the Department of Medical Psychology at the University of Oregon Medical School in Portland and was formerly Chief Psychologist at Seattle Children's Hospital.

Review

"I commend Dr. DuHamel on publishing a great reference book for parents and medical professionals alike.  In this second edition, the artwork and descriptions, useful citations from pertinent scientific literature, and new information (e.g., treating constipation in infants and toddlers) make this book a uniquely valuable resource. I will continue to endorse and highly recommend this book to families seeking care for children with chronic constipation."
                                             -- Uma Pisharody, MD, FAAP, Pediatric Gastroenterologist

Edition details

• Publisher: Maret Publishing
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0985496916
• ISBN 13: 9780985496913
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 172