Category: Constipation

Abdomen pain Constipation GIT By Dr. Rajeshwari Yadav 0 Comments

Is It IBS? Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children

Have you noticed your child complaining of stomach pain that comes and goes, sometimes with constipation, sometimes with loose motions? Do they say they feel better after passing stools? You might wonder, “Is this just something they ate, or something more?” In many such cases, the answer could be Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS.

What Is IBS in Children?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder. That means the structure of the digestive tract is normal, but how it works is not. It’s a condition where your child’s gut becomes overly sensitive or reactive, leading to recurring symptoms.

Children with IBS:

  • Complaint of abdominal pain for at least 8 weeks over the past year
  • Often feel better after a bowel movement
  • Experience pain with changes in the form or frequency of stools
  • May have constipation, diarrhea, or both
  • Often describe bloating, mucus in the stool, or urgency to go

IBS is not dangerous, but it can cause significant distress and impact your child’s everyday life, school, play, appetite, and mood.

Why Does It Happen?

IBS is believed to be the result of a miscommunication between the brain and the gut. Factors that contribute include:

  • Sensitive gut nerves reacting to normal digestion as pain
  • Stress or anxiety, which can amplify gut signals
  • Food intolerances, like excess sugar or dairy
  • A history of gut infections
  • Genetic tendency—it may run in families

In simpler terms, your child’s digestive system is like a car alarm that goes off too easily—even a light breeze (a normal meal, a little gas) can trigger it.

How Is IBS Different from Other Conditions?

Unlike inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or celiac disease, IBS does not involve tissue damage, inflammation, or malabsorption. That’s why blood tests and scans are often normal.

But IBS is real. The pain and discomfort are genuine, and your child needs support, not dismissal.

Red Flags: When It Might Not Be IBS

It’s important to rule out more serious problems. See your doctor if your child also has:

  • Weight loss or poor growth
  • Blood in stool or urine
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Fever, rash, or joint pain
  • Extreme tiredness between episodes
  • Family history of IBD or celiac disease.

 

How Is IBS Diagnosed?

Diagnosis is usually clinical, based on a detailed history and symptom pattern. There’s no single test for IBS, but your child’s doctor might order:

  • Blood tests (to rule out anemia, infection, and  inflammation)
  • Stool tests (to check for infections or parasites)
  • Ultrasound (to rule out organ issues)

Most tests are done to exclude other causes of abdominal pain.

How Can I Help My Child With IBS?

1. Diet Changes

Some simple dietary changes can work wonders:

  • Increase fiber intake gradually (age in years + 5 grams/day)
  • Avoid fermentable sugars like fructose (fruit juice, soda, chewing gum)
  • Try a short trial of a dairy-free diet if lactose intolerance is suspected
  • Keep a food and symptom diary to identify triggers

2. Manage Stress

School pressure, family changes, or even excitement can trigger symptoms. Helping your child manage stress is a key part of IBS care.

Helpful practices include:

  • Breathing exercises
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Journaling or drawing feelings
  • Regular routines for sleep and meals

Some children may benefit from seeing a pediatric psychologist, especially if they show signs of anxiety or low mood.

Should My Child Stay Home From School?

Only if they’re vomiting or have a fever. Otherwise, school attendance is encouraged. Staying home for too long increases anxiety and worsens symptoms. If needed, the school can offer short rest breaks when pain flares.

The Good News

IBS can feel overwhelming, but with the right care, most children learn to manage it well. Symptoms often reduce significantly over time, especially when there’s understanding, support, and consistent routines at home.

Takeaway for Parents

Your child’s tummy pain is not “in their head,” and they’re not just trying to avoid school or food. IBS is a real condition, but also a manageable one. By addressing gut sensitivity, stress, and diet, you can help your child feel like themselves again.

If you feel stuck or unsure where to begin, know that you’re not alone. At Holistic Parenting Tribe, we combine homeopathy, gut care, and lifestyle support to gently bring balance back to your child’s life.

Homeopathy for IBS: A Gentle Reset for the Gut and Mind

Many parents come to me after trying everything—diet changes, tests, even medications—but their child’s tummy troubles continue. That’s where homeopathy brings in its quiet magic.

Unlike conventional approaches that suppress symptoms, homeopathy works by identifying the root emotional and physical patterns that make your child’s gut so reactive.

It’s not just “what” the child eats, but how they process life experiences that matters.

 

Real Story: A Mother’s Relief and a Child’s Turnaround

I once saw an 8-year-old girl, Aarohi, who had been struggling for nearly a year. Her mornings began with an urgency to use the bathroom—sometimes three or four times before school. Her parents had done every test possible. All were normal.

But she had stopped eating her favorite foods. She was terrified to go to birthday parties. Her once-cheerful energy had dulled. Her mother told me, “Every time she smiles, I’m scared it will turn into a stomach ache.”

During our consultation, I discovered that Aarohi was a perfectionist—worried about school marks, scared to make mistakes. Her IBS wasn’t just from food—it was tied to deep anticipatory anxiety.

I gave her a personalized homeopathic remedy based on her unique emotional and physical makeup.

Within two weeks, the early-morning bathroom runs reduced. Her appetite returned. Over two months, her confidence and calmness grew—and so did her smile.

Her gut healed because her nervous system healed. That’s the power of well-matched homeopathy.

 How Homeopathy Works for IBS

  • It calms hypersensitive gut nerves
  • It reduces anxiety and emotional reactivity
  • It supports digestion, absorption, and elimination naturally
  • It strengthens your child’s resilience from the inside out

Each remedy is tailored to your child’s story, not just their symptoms.

If your child’s tummy seems to carry the weight of their world, homeopathy can be the gentle switch that helps their system reset.

 

Abdomen pain Acute Allergy Autism children Children Therapy Constipation Hormonal Hormone Stress Teenage By Dr. Rajeshwari Yadav 0 Comments

The Hidden Danger in Your Child’s Breakfast

If you’re a parent, your morning probably feels like a race — packing tiffins, managing work calls, and getting your little one dressed and fed before 9 a.m., in my case, it’s 6.30 am. In all that chaos, convenience often becomes a lifeline.

So we reach for what looks easy and promising — that colourful cereal box, a biscuit packet, a “health drink” that claims to make kids stronger and taller, or a fruit juice that says “no added sugar.”

But as a doctor and a fellow parent, I want to pause with you today and ask: Are these ready-made options nourishing your child, or are we just falling for smart packaging?

What Recent Research Tells Us

Let’s start with cereals, which are a popular choice for children. A study from the United States reviewed 1,200 new children’s cereals launched between 2010 and 2023. What they found was concerning:

  • Fat content increased by over 30 percent
  • Salt (sodium) increased by over 30 percent.
  • Sugar levels went up.
  • Meanwhile, fiber and protein, two nutrients children truly need, decreased

While this study was conducted in the U.S., the patterns hold in India too. Many Indian cereal brands follow the same formulation or are direct imports.

But It’s Not Just Cereals

In my clinic, I see that the average Indian child’s breakfast or snack routine often includes  a combination of:

  • Ready-to-eat cereals
  • Health drinks (like those added to milk)
  • Biscuits or cookies (often labelled “whole wheat” or “high fiber”)
  • Flavoured yoghurts
  • Packaged juices or milkshakes

Parents choose these because they feel safer, more nutritious, and easier to prepare. But when we look at the labels, here’s what we find:

What I See on Indian Food Labels

Let me share some real figures I’ve gathered from reading labels of popular products:

  • Cereals: 8 to 12 grams of sugar per serving, barely 1–2 grams of protein or fiber
  • Health drinks: Often 15 to 20 grams of sugar per serving (that’s about 4 to 5 teaspoons)
  • Biscuits: Marketed as “healthy,” but still packed with refined flour, palm oil, and added sugar
  • Juices or milkshakes: Even the “no added sugar” varieties may have natural sugar content equivalent to soft drinks

These numbers matter because, according to the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and ICMR, a child’s daily added sugar should not exceed 5 to 6 teaspoons (20 to 25 grams). A breakfast of cereal, a biscuit, and a health drink can easily cross this limit before your child even leaves for school.

Why This Is a Bigger Concern Than It Seems

I don’t want to scare you, but I do want to show you what I see:

  • Children are coming in with complaints of fatigue, mood swings, and poor concentration
  • Unexplained weight gain or digestive issues in children as young as 5
  • Blood tests showing borderline cholesterol or early insulin resistance
  • And worst of all, a generation growing up on sugar without even realising it

The food industry is clever — they use words like “fortified,” “energy,” “growth,” and “natural” to win your trust. But as a doctor, I always say: flip the pack and read the back. The truth is in the label.

So What Can We Do?

Here’s what I tell young parents in my clinic:

  1. Stop trusting front-label claims. “No maida,” “Made with milk,” “High protein” — these are often marketing tricks. Check the actual nutritional chart.
  2. Limit added sugar, especially in breakfast and snacks. Avoid cereals and drinks with more than 6 grams of sugar per serving.
  3. Rethink ‘health drinks’. If your child eats a balanced diet, they don’t need chocolate-flavoured powders. Simple milk, nuts, fruit, and home-cooked meals do a better job.
  4. Use biscuits as a rare treat, not a daily snack.
  5. Return to our roots. Our traditional Indian breakfasts are full of fiber, complex carbs, and natural protein, and cost a fraction of these packaged foods.

Here’s what I recommend to working parents who ask for something quick and realistic:

  • Poha with vegetables
  • Moong dal or besan chilla
  • Dalia with jaggery and dry fruits
  • Idlis with sambar
  • Roti roll with paneer or aloo sabzi
  • Whole wheat toast with nut butter and banana slices

These may not come in glossy boxes, but they build real health, not just hype.

My Final Thought

I know we all want the best for our children. And I know that sometimes, it feels like you don’t have time to cook or plan every meal perfectly. But let me remind you — you don’t have to be perfect. Just be aware.
 Start small. Maybe swap the cereal three days a week. Or keep biscuits out of the snack box and replace them with fruit or nuts.

A few mindful steps today can protect your child from years of health struggles later.

Want a Ready-to-Use Weekly Breakfast Plan?
If you found this helpful and would like a simple, quick, and nutritious 7-day breakfast chart for your child, designed by me to fit into real Indian mornings, you can download it here. It’s packed with tasty ideas your child will love and your routine will welcome.

Click here to download Dr. Rajeshwari’s 7-Day Healthy Breakfast Plan

With warmth and care,
 Dr. Rajeshwari Yadav

 

Abdomen pain Constipation Losse Motion Uncategorized By Dr. Shailesh Yadav 0 Comments

Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Imagine waking up every day unsure of how your stomach will behave. Will you enjoy a meal without discomfort, or will you be stuck near a bathroom all day? This is the reality for many living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a condition that turns daily activities into sources of anxiety.

Take Riya, for instance. A vibrant 30-year-old who used to love trying new foods and socializing with friends. But recently, she’s been avoiding dinner parties and spontaneous outings. The unpredictability of her symptoms—bloating, cramping, and alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation—has made her once-joyful routine a challenge.

If you can relate to Riya’s story, you’re not alone. IBS affects millions of people, yet each person’s experience is unique. While some days might be manageable, others can feel overwhelming. The key to managing IBS lies in understanding your body, identifying your triggers, and finding a treatment that works for you.

What is IBS, and What Causes It?

IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, meaning that while it causes significant symptoms, it doesn’t lead to visible damage in the digestive tract. The exact cause of IBS isn’t entirely understood, but it’s believed to be related to a combination of factors:

  • Gut-Brain Interaction: There’s a miscommunication between your brain and gut, leading to abnormal muscle contractions in your intestines.
  • Gut Motility Issues: These abnormal contractions can cause food to move too quickly (leading to diarrhea) or too slowly (leading to constipation) through your digestive tract.
  • Sensitivity: People with IBS often have a heightened sensitivity to intestinal pain and discomfort.
  • Gut Microbiome: An imbalance in the bacteria in your gut may contribute to IBS symptoms.
  • Genetics and Environment: A family history of IBS and stressful life events can increase your risk.

How is IBS Different from Other Gastrointestinal Illnesses?

One of the most common questions I hear is, “How is IBS different from other digestive disorders?” Unlike conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, IBS does not cause inflammation or permanent damage to the digestive tract. This means that while IBS can cause chronic discomfort, it doesn’t increase the risk of colon cancer or other serious gastrointestinal diseases.

Pathophysiology of IBS

The pathophysiology of IBS is complex and involves multiple factors:

  • Altered Bowel Motility: In IBS, the muscles in the walls of the intestines contract more strongly or weakly than normal, affecting how food moves through the digestive system.
  • Visceral Hypersensitivity: Patients with IBS may have an increased sensitivity to pain caused by gas or bowel movements.
  • Gut-Brain Axis Dysregulation: The communication between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system (the gut’s nervous system) is often disrupted, leading to IBS symptoms.

How to Recognize If You Have IBS

You might wonder, “How do I know if I’m suffering from IBS?” The diagnosis of IBS is typically made based on symptoms, as there are no specific tests for it. Common symptoms include:

  • Abdominal Pain or Cramping: Often relieved by bowel movements.
  • Bloating and Gas: Persistent feelings of fullness or swelling in the abdomen.
  • Irregular Bowel Movements: Ranging from diarrhea to constipation, sometimes both in alternating patterns.

Common Questions About IBS

As someone living with IBS, you might have several questions. Here are some of the most common ones I hear:

  1. What foods should I avoid?
    • Foods like garlic, onions, wheat, and dairy, often trigger symptoms.
  2. Can stress make IBS worse?
    • Yes, stress can exacerbate IBS symptoms, as it affects the gut-brain connection.
  3. Is IBS the same as IBD?
    • No, IBS is a functional disorder without inflammation, while IBD (like Crohn’s disease) involves inflammation and can cause damage to the digestive tract.
  4. How is IBS treated?
    • Treatment typically involves dietary changes, stress management, and sometimes medication. Homeopathy can also be a valuable tool.
  5. Will IBS ever go away?
    • IBS is a chronic condition, but symptoms can be effectively managed with the right approach.

Managing IBS with Diet

One of the biggest challenges with IBS is figuring out which foods trigger your symptoms. Foods high in —certain types of carbohydrates—are common culprits. These include:

  • Fruits: Apples, pears, watermelon.
  • Vegetables: Garlic, onions, cauliflower.
  • Grains: Wheat, rye, barley.
  • Dairy: Milk, soft cheeses.
  • Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas.
  • Sweeteners: Honey, high fructose corn syrup.

Avoiding or reducing these foods can significantly improve your symptoms. But diet is just one piece of the puzzle.

Finding Balance with Homeopathy

So, how can homeopathy help? Homeopathy offers a holistic, individualized approach to treating IBS. Instead of just addressing symptoms, homeopathy aims to treat the root cause, helping restore balance in your digestive system and overall health.

For example, Riya found relief through a personalized homeopathic treatment plan. By focusing on her specific symptoms, lifestyle, and triggers, we were able to reduce her flare-ups, improve her digestion, and give her the confidence to enjoy life again without the constant worry of IBS symptoms.

Conclusion: Your Journey to Relief

Living with IBS doesn’t have to mean living in discomfort or fear. With the right approach, including dietary adjustments, stress management, and holistic treatments like homeopathy, you can regain control over your digestive health.

Remember, every person’s IBS journey is different. Together, we can explore the best path for you, leading to lasting relief and a healthier, happier life.