Did you know that constipation can lead to unexpected accidents in your potty-trained child? I only learned about this issue, known as encopresis, when it affected my son.
A couple of summers back, right after our family returned from a week at the beach, my son, who was in kindergarten, had his first accident since being potty trained. He exclaimed, “It just happened! I didn’t even tell my bottom to go!” I was taken aback by his words but dismissed it, thinking perhaps the fast food on the way home didn’t sit well with him.
The next morning, he woke up with a similar situation. He described feeling like his bottom was “telling him to poop,” but it felt “big and spiky.” I urged him to sit on the toilet because holding it in would only make things worse. He shed a few tears but managed to go. Thankfully, he didn’t have any further accidents, and I soon forgot about the whole episode.
Later that fall, however, he got into the car after school, and an overwhelming smell hit me. When I inquired, he said he “went poop and didn’t wipe.” I was puzzled and frustrated, believing he just chose not to wipe after using the restroom. After scolding him about hygiene, we headed to the nearest store for a cleanup. Once in the bathroom, it became evident that his story was different. He broke down, admitting he had “pooped his pants” and was embarrassed to tell his teacher. He explained that it “just came out” without warning. The previous summer’s incident flooded back to me, and I felt terrible for scolding him. I apologized, but the guilt of losing my temper lingered.
Naturally, I was worried that my child had suddenly lost control over his bowel movements after years of being toilet trained. When the episodes occurred again that evening, I knew it was time to consult his pediatrician. As I waited for the appointment, my mind raced with concerns. Was this connected to the earlier incident? Had I waited too long? I feared something serious was wrong. Was he ill? Was it an emotional response to trauma? Had someone hurt him?
Relief washed over me when the doctor came in and said, “It sounds like you’re pretty constipated, buddy! Let’s see if we can help with that.” Constipated? I was bewildered. As an adult, I had experienced constipation, but it didn’t involve having accidents.
The doctor explained that my son was experiencing encopresis. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Encopresis…is the repeated passing of stool (usually involuntarily) into clothing. Typically, it occurs when impacted stool builds up in the colon and rectum, causing liquid stool to leak around the retained stool, thus staining underwear.” This condition often arises from constipation, which was the case for my son. Thankfully, he was not facing any serious issues; he was simply constipated. The doctor ordered imaging tests to rule out any obstruction and collaborated with us to devise a plan to get his bowels moving. Within days, he returned to normal.
Now, a couple of years later, he still occasionally deals with constipation. Despite no apparent changes in his diet or routine, he sometimes struggles to go. His doctor has informed us that this may be a recurring issue throughout his life. We do our best to manage it, but despite our efforts, he can still have bathroom troubles. Unfortunately, he is still a bit too young to recognize the early signs and let me know before it escalates. Encopresis often serves as my first indication.
Dealing with encopresis is not easy for him. It’s undoubtedly embarrassing. No matter how many times I reassure him that he can’t control it, he feels like it makes him look like a silly baby who can’t make it to the bathroom. He dreads the thought of it happening at school. To help, I pack a small bag in his backpack with wipes, a change of clothes, and ointment for his bottom. Thankfully, he hasn’t had to use it yet, but he worries that someone will smell it before he can reach the bathroom. Kids can be so unkind.
As a mother, it’s tough to see him in discomfort. The laundry can be overwhelming; we end up throwing away many pairs of underwear after an episode. The constant leakage and cleaning can result in painful situations for him. Sometimes, he cries when washing up and hates the sensation of creams and ointments meant to help heal him. I’ve shed a few tears myself after witnessing his pain. Although I know it could be worse, it’s never easy to see your child suffer.
I wish I had known about encopresis sooner, as it’s a relatively common symptom of constipation. There’s no reason to panic. Understanding this earlier would have saved me a lot of worry when it first began. If your potty-trained child starts having accidents, it’s definitely worth a visit to the pediatrician. Chances are, your child is okay; they just need a little assistance with bathroom habits.
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Summary: Encopresis can be a distressing condition for both children and parents, often stemming from constipation. Understanding the symptoms and seeking medical help can alleviate concerns, helping your child regain control over their bowel movements.