UCanPoopToo

Chat Excerpts from Encopresis Expert: Topic – Medications, Including Titration

GabeHeath — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:00:57 +0000

In this month’s chat, Encopresis Expert and pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Stephen Borowitz, talked with parents about the role of medication in managing encopresis. These chats are exclusively available to all UCanPoopToo subscribers. The links below are audio excerpts of some of the questions that were asked.

Click below to listen!

Coehlo, D.P.

GabeHeath — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:38:05 +0000

Coehlo, D.P. (2011). Encopresis: A medical and family approach. Pediatric Nursing, 37(3), 107-112.

Treat Encopresis as a Team

GabeHeath — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:37:38 +0000

Encopresis: A Medical and Family Approach, is an article recently written by Dr. Coehlo and published in Pediatric Nursing, has some excellent information for families struggling with encopresis. According to the article, encopresis treatment works best when a “team” approach is used. The team should include the child, parents, teachers, and health professionals working together to develop a plan that is both feasible (able to be implemented) and supported by research. The article also points out that even with the most effective treatments: 1) children with encopresis generally take up to six months to get fully better, and 2) relapses are common during times of change and transition. This is one of the reasons that ongoing support and monitoring are crucial. The author stresses that positive outcomes take both dedication and time. As Dr. Coehlo poignantly notes, “children with encopresis need understanding, support, and encouragement to be successful at learning what to do to reach a milestone that many of us take for granted.”

Tips for Laxative Use

GabeHeath — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:31:50 +0000

Many parents (and even some physicians) worry about giving children laxatives. But most of these concerns are based on myths – not facts. Nearly all laxatives work by keeping water in the stool, allowing these medicines to be used for a very long time without significant risk. In the UcanPoopToo program, medications are discussed in detail, and there is no convincing evidence that any of the laxatives discussed in the program are harmful and will result in dependency. Further, there is no good evidence that any of the laxatives described in the UCanPoopToo program lose their effectiveness over time. Obviously, as children get older, larger amounts of laxative may be necessary, but increased dosage is usually the result of the stage of the problem and the age of the child – not dependency. One of the greatest fears voiced about laxatives is parental worry that prolonged laxative use will result in colon cancer. But there is absolutely no good data to suggest that using laxatives places children at increased risk for developing colon cancer later. What is clear is that not keeping children cleaned out with medication, enemas, and/or diet can lead to impaction and continued encopresis. In the UCanPoopToo program, the Medication Core and Laxatives and Health Module provide additional information on the role of medicine and some of the common misconceptions about taking daily medicine. Be sure to talk to your child’s physician about your worries about laxatives and get your all of your questions answered. Although giving children medication can be anxiety-producing, getting answers to your questions can help you make the best choice for your child. You may also want to read an excellent article from Drs. Muller-Lissner and colleagues in the 2005 issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology titled, “Myths and Misconceptions about Chronic Constipation.”

This tip and the UCanPoopToo program are not a substitute for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis, care or treatment. We recommend that you always seek the advice of a physician or other health care professional for all health-related matters.

http://www.ucanpooptoo.com/general-disclaimer-information

Tips for Taking Trips: Encopresis Vacation Difficulties

GabeHeath — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:30:02 +0000

Click this post and listen to an excerpt from our monthly Encopresis Expert online chat available to UCanPoopToo customers. Dr. Thorndike talks to parents about some of the difficulties that can arise while on vacation, and some things you can try to help.

Click below to listen!

Difficulties that can arise while on vacation and tips to help them.

Doctors Need Help Treating Encopresis

GabeHeath — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:50:53 +0000

If you have been dealing with encopresis for a long time and are feeling fed up, don’t give up yet! Encopresis can be difficult to treat. Even pediatricians and family care physicians think so. In fact, in a recent survey by Drs. Philichi and Yuwono (Click here for more information), primary care physicians reported feeling confident that they could help their patients with constipation (73% of the doctors estimated a 75%-100% success rate when managing constipation). But, when asked about helping their patients beat encopresis, only 19% of doctors estimated a greater than 80% success rate with encopresis patients. What does this mean? It can be hard for primary care doctors to treat it alone.

Our research has shown that kids benefit from a combined medical and behavioral approach to managing the problem (Click here for more information). UCanPoopToo combines the expertise of clinicians and researchers from multiple disciplines, including pediatric gastroenterology, behavioral medicine, psychology, and online health interventions. We all came together to extend the support and care families receive through their primary care or pediatric physician. Whether through UCanPoopToo or another option, consider combining medical advice with behavioral modification, ongoing daily symptom monitoring, and corresponding adjustments in the child’s treatment regimen based on that monitoring. As you know well, it can take a lot of work to beat this problem. But it is beatable with the right combination of tools and strategies.

Letter to Dr. Steve: Poops Are Too Large

GabeHeath — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:57:32 +0000

Dear Dr. Steve:

Our 8 yr old son can be accident free with daily fiber, but then his stools are soooo large that he routinely needs to plunge or the toilet needs to be snaked. Where is the happy medium?

Signed, G

Hi G,

Our website, www.ucanpooptoo.com, includes general information about the signs and causes of encopresis, including the exceptionally large stools you describe. A recently published survey indicated pediatric care providers are likely to instruct families with constipation to increase fiber, eliminate constipating foods, and reduce dairy from their children’s diet. However, the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterologists (NASPGHAN) guideline proposes a well-balanced diet for children with encopresis.

You are welcome to contact us if you have other questions about the UCanPoopToo program. Although we cannot give you personal support, advice or recommendations, we can provide you with general information that you may find helpful.

Take care,

Dr. Steve

Encopresis Expert: Working With Schools (Entire Live Discussion)

GabeHeath — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:59:34 +0000

Click this post and listen to the special entire live discussion from our monthly Encopresis Expert online chat normally available exclusively to UCanPoopToo customers. Dr. Thorndike talks to parents about working with schools to help children with Encopresis.

Click below to listen!

Encopresis Expert: Working With Schools (Part 1)

Encopresis Expert: Working With Schools (Part 2)

Working with Schools: Children, School Work and Bathroom Visits

GabeHeath — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:29:33 +0000

Click this post and listen to an excerpt from our monthly Encopresis Expert online chat available to UCanPoopToo customers. Dr. Thorndike talks to parents about how to help children catch up on school work they miss while going to the bathroom.

Click below to listen!

How to help children catch up on school work they miss while going to the bathroom.

Garman, K.

mgrove — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:47:07 +0000

Garman, K., Ficca, M (2011). Managing Encopresis in the Elementary School Setting: The School Nurse’s Role. The Journal of School Nursing, Dec 2011.