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Fiber supplements and certain foods, such
as fruit juices and prunes, can have a laxative effect.
These foods and juices function as osmotic laxatives. They
all contain various sugars that are not efficiently absorbed
by the intestinal lining, thus increasing the amount
of water in the colon. Given in large enough doses, all
of these foods and juices are very effective laxatives.
However, most children are not willing to take in enough
of these fruits and juices day in and day out for many
months
to serve as primary treatment for encopresis. Eaten in
large enough quantities to ensure 2 soft bowel movements
a day,
these foods and juices often cause bloating and gas.
There is little evidence that eating a high-fiber
diet significantly improves encopresis once it is established,
although it may help prevent constipation in the first
place.
Drinking plenty of fluid helps keep stools
soft and may help prevent constipation in the first place.
Children with encopresis rarely need surgery.
However, surgery may be used in extremely chronic and refractory
cases.
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