Constipation, Age 11 And Younger: Preparing For Your Appointment

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Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your child's condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• When did the constipation begin?
• How often does your child normally have a bowel movement?
• Are the stools hard or soft?
• Does your child have a history of constipation?
• Has prevention or home treatment helped relieve the constipation?
• If your child has been toilet trained, has he or she had any leakage of soft or liquid stool that has stained his or her underwear?
• Has your child had a recent change in diet, daily routine, or environment?
• Has your child recently started taking a new prescription or nonprescription medicine?
• Are you giving your child any new herbal remedies or vitamins?
• Has your child been under any added stress recently?
• Does your child have any health risks?

Last updated:	November 03, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer