Constipation – Hilliard Pediatrics

Hilliard Pediatrics, Inc. – Dr. Rob Snyder, MD

Constipation is one of the most common childhood problems. Most parents deal with this sooner or later with their children. Children with constipation have stools (also called bowel movements or poops) that are hard and difficult or painful to get out. See below for information and helpful tips.

What is a normal bowel pattern?

Most children have a bowel movement 1 or 2 times a day, but for some children it may be normal to have a bowel movement every 2 days. 

For infants, they typically have a bowel movement at least once a day, but may go 1-2 days between bowel movements. Many infants will grunt, groan, and strain with bowel movements. This is normal and should not be confused with constipation. 

With constipation, most children will have crampy abdominal pain that comes and goes. They are generally still eating well and active. When they are experiencing abdominal pain, they may lay down for a little while, then be fine when the cramping passes. Stools are generally large and hard, but not always.

For older children, they sometimes will experience leaking stool, which can imply chronic constipation.  If your child is experiencing this, please see our encopresis protocol. This is a condition that we manage differently, please give us a call during regular business hours to discuss further.

Constipation can often be treated at home using one of the methods listed below. If this is a recurrent or chronic problem, please call our office on the next business day to schedule a visit or discuss a plan with one of our nurses.

• Rectal Stimulation – Taking a rectal temperature can help to stimulate a bowel movement. To do this, put some petroleum jelly on a rectal thermometer and insert it into the anus. You will want to insert the thermometer about the distance from the end of your pinky to the first knuckle. Once you insert the thermometer, keep it about the same distance in, and spin/move it around a little bit for a minute. This will cause the child to bear down and often produce a bowel movement. 
• Glycerin Suppository – If rectal stimulation doesn’t work, you can try an over-the-counter glycerin suppository. You will want to use either 1 infant suppository or 1/3 of an adult suppository. Place your child is a frog-like position with their knees up by their shoulders. You will then push the suppository in about the same distance as you did for the thermometer (about 3/4 inch) and then hold the baby’s butt cheeks together for about 5 minutes.  After 5 minutes, you can let go and the child will naturally push the remaining suppository back out. As a result of the suppository and the act of bearing down to push the suppository back out, it will often cause a bowel movement.  If needed, you can repeat this process with another suppository in 30 minutes.
• Offer Juice – For infants 4 months of age and older, you can offer them 1-2 ounces of prune juice daily.  
• Oral Medications 
  • If under 2 months of age, please call our office before trying oral medicines.
  • Milk of Magnesia – for infants 2 months of age and older, you can give them 2.5 – 5 mL of milk of magnesia (MOM) daily. This will help soften the stool. MOM is not addictive, you can use it every day. 

• Increase Fluid Intake – Increasing how much water your child drinks will often be helpful. Apple, pear, grape and prune juices are all helpful to treat constipation; however, too much juice can damange the teeth and can become preferred over water.
• Adjust Diet – Certain foods tend to naturally make constipation better or worse.
  • Worse: milk and dairy products (especially cheese), carrots, bananas, and apples tend to constipate.
  • Improve: oatmeal, bran, raisins or grapes, green vegetables, prunes, peaches, pears, and apricots tend to allow a softer, easier to pass bowel movement.
• Oral Medications
  • Milk of Magnesia – For toddlers, we recommend trying milk of magnesia (MOM) if diet and fluid changes are not helping. You can give your toddler 5-10 mL of MOM daily. Note, it will take 12-24 hours for MOM to work. If MOM improves your child’s constipation, we recommend continuing it for a few weeks to keep your child regular and then slowly wean them off.
  • Glycolax Power (Miralax) – You can also try glycolax powder (Miralax) for children 18 months of age and older (please call the office prior to giving to a child under 18 months of age). With Miralax, the dose will vary and may require some trial and error before finding the right dose for your child. A reasonable starting dose is 1/4 – 1 capful daily. Add the Miralax to 4-8 oz. of liquid. Stir until the crystals are dissolved.

• Increase Fluid Intake – Increasing how much your child drinks will often be helpful. For older children, we recommend increasing the amount of water  they are drinking.  
• Adjust Diet – Certain foods tend to naturally make constipation better or worse.
  • Worse: milk and dairy products (especially cheese), carrots, bananas, and apples tend to constipate.
  • Improve: oatmeal, bran, raisins or grapes, green vegetables, prunes, peaches, pears, and apricots tend to allow a softer easier to pass bowel movement.
• Oral Medications
  • Milk of Magnesia – For older children, we recommend trying milk of magnesia (MOM) if diet and fluid changes are helping. Note, it will take 12-24 hours for MOM to work. If MOM improves your child’s constipation, we recommend continuing it for a few weeks to keep your child regular and then slowly wean them off.
    • Children 2-6 years of age: 5-15 mL/day of regular-strength liquid
    • Children 6-12 years of age: 15-30 mL/day of regular-strength liquid
    • Children 12 years of age and older: 30-60 mL/day of regular-strength liquid
  • Glycolax Power (Miralax) – You can also try glycolax powder (Miralax) for children 18 months of age and older. With Miralax, the dose will vary and may require some trial and error before finding the right dose for your child. A reasonable starting dose is 1/4 – 1 capful daily. Add the Miralax to 4-8 oz. of liquid. Stir until the crystals are dissolved.

First, lets briefly discuss how the body processes food. Our stomach grinds it up and the small intestine absorbs important nutrients. The waste that is left over is sent to the large intestine to be processed. Water is reabsorbed from the stool and eventually ends up in the lower part of the large intestine called the sigmoid colon.

The foods we eat and how they are processed influence how hard or soft the stool is. Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt  tend to harden the stool. The same is true when taking in too many carbohydrates such as crackers, bread and pasta. Additionally, high fat foods in excess are hard to process and tend to worsen the situation. Most fruits (not bananas), veggies and high fiber foods tend to either soften the stool or add bulk making it easier to pass. Fruit juices like apple juice tend to create diarrhea. A great way to prevent consitpation is to control the foods that your child is offered.  Also, drinking lots of water keeps us healthy and helps to prevent constipation.

• Severe abdominal pain – Constipation is almost never an emergency. The pain with constipation typically comes and goes, whereas problems like appendicitis will worsen over time. If your child is having intense pain, then an ED visit is warranted, mostly to assess for more dangerous causes of abdominal pain.
• Blood from the rectum (no stool with it) – When a child passes a significant amount of blood from the rectum, this can be the result of several serious problems such as Meckel’s diverticulum, intussusception, or malrotation with volvulus. These can also present with severe pain which will justify a trip to the ED.

• If you are trying to decide if you should take your child to the Emergency Department or Urgent Care, give us a call. We can review the symptoms your child is having and help you decide if you need to take them in or if it can wait. In general, if the pain does not stop after an hour, we will tend to recommend an evaluation.

• If your child is experiencing any of the following, please call the office to discuss further options or the need to schedule an appointment. When you call, please press option 1 and leave a message with the child’s name, DOB, a brief description of the situation and one of our triage nurses will call you back to discuss further.
  • Rock hard or distended belly
  • Inconsolable
  • Has blood in the stool
  • Not improving after trying the above recommendations 
  • Chronic constipation (greater than 3 months)
  • Leaking stool – when the colon is unable to hold a child’s stool as a result of frequent constipation it will leak. This is called encopresis and requires a detailed discussion. 

Last Updated: 05/2022

What is milk of magnesia? Uses, types, and side effects

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Milk of magnesia is an over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for constipation. It works by drawing water into the bowel and softening stool, making it easier to pass. It can also soothe indigestion and heartburn.

This article explains what milk of magnesia is, how to use it, what conditions it can treat, common side effects, and more.

Milk of magnesia, also known as magnesium hydroxide, can act as an antacid or as a saline laxative.

This type of laxative works by drawing moisture into a person’s bowels to help loosen stool.

A person may purchase milk of magnesia over the counter (OTC) without a prescription, but they should talk with their doctor if they experience frequent bouts of constipation.

Parents and guardians should avoid giving milk of magnesia to children under 6 years old unless their doctor recommends its use.

People use milk of magnesia for:

• constipation, because when used as a laxative, milk of magnesia draws water into the bowel to help soften and remove stool
• indigestion and heartburn

The original form of milk of magnesia usually helps a person produce a bowel movement in 30 minutes to 6 hours.

In addition to constipation and acid relief, milk of magnesia may help with conditions such as sunburn and acne, though empirical evidence is significantly lacking.

Milk of magnesia for sunburn

Some people believe that applying a thin layer of milk of magnesia topically to sunburn will help ease the pain and burning sensation.

Though this may work for some people, no studies or empirical evidence exist to support its use on sunburn.

A person interested in sunburn relief should talk with their doctor. Other OTC products, such as aloe vera, may work better for a person.

Milk of magnesia for acne

Some people believe that milk of magnesia can help with treating acne. The belief stems from the medication’s potential ability to help break up surface oils.

The only research on its use for acne dates back to a 1975 study. In the study, a researcher noted that the use of milk of magnesia combined with orally taking 250 milligrams (mg) of tetracycline and washing two times daily with a nonfat soap helped clear up acne pustules and reduce inflammation.

No further studies have looked at the use of applying milk of magnesia topically or taking it orally for the treatment of acne. A person should talk with their doctor about alternative methods to treat acne.

Milk of magnesia is available to buy as either a tablet or a liquid. When using the tablet form, a person usually needs to chew the tablet before swallowing.

Milk of magnesia is available as a regular strength liquid or a concentrated liquid. People should not give the concentrated liquid to children under the age of 12.

People can buy different forms of milk of magnesia from drug stores or online.

People should not take more medication than their doctor or the packaging recommends.

Though dosing can vary, a person should avoid taking more than the recommended dose over the course of 24 hours.

To take liquid milk of magnesia, a person can mix it with milk or water. Shake the bottle well before measuring out a dose. The dosage varies depending on why the person is using the medication and their age.

The following sections describe the doses for milk of magnesia based on use and age.

Milk of magnesia for constipation

People who are old enough to take milk of magnesia should drink a full glass, or 8 ounces, of water with each dose of milk of magnesia. Use the 15-milliliter (ml) dosing cup or spoon provided for accuracy. It is best to take the medication at bedtime.

Using the original version of milk of magnesia for constipation, the dosage in milliliters varies depending on a person’s age:

• Adults can take 30–60 ml.
• Children ages 6–11 can take 15–30 ml.
• Ask a doctor before giving this medication to children under 6 years old.

For the concentrated version of milk of magnesia, the dosage is lower:

• Adults can take 15–30 ml.
• Ask a doctor before giving this medication to children under 12 years old.

There are also chewable tablets for children. Children should drink a full glass of liquid with each dose. The dosage varies depending on age:

• Children ages 6–12 can take 3–6 tablets per day.
• Children ages 2–6 can take 1–3 tablets per day.
• Ask a doctor before giving this medication to children under 2 years old.

People should not take milk of magnesia as a laxative for more than 7 days in a row. Anyone who is still in need of a laxative or has persistent pain in their stomach area should talk with a doctor.

Milk of magnesia usually relieves constipation within 6 hours of taking it. If a person does not have a bowel movement after using milk of magnesia, they should stop using it and talk with a doctor.

In those cases, an underlying condition may be the cause of constipation and may need additional treatment from a doctor.

Milk of magnesia for other digestive issues

Along with constipation relief, people can also use some versions of milk of magnesia to relieve heartburn and acid indigestion.

Adults should take 5–15 ml at a time with water and repeat up to four times per day as needed. They should not take more than 60 ml in any 24-hour period.

When using milk of magnesia as an antacid, it may also have a laxative effect. Do not use milk of magnesia as an antacid for more than 14 days in a row.

Speak with a doctor before using milk of magnesia to treat other digestive issues in children under age 12.

Most people who take milk of magnesia do not experience side effects.

The most common side effects of milk of magnesia are:

• diarrhea
• stomach cramps
• nausea
• vomiting
• skin flushing
• drowsiness

Milk of magnesia also carries the risk of more serious side effects. People who experience any of the following should stop using the medication and seek medical attention:

• rectal bleeding
• no bowel movement after taking it
• severe nausea or vomiting
• slow heartbeat
• lightheadedness

Serious side effects are more likely to occur if a person takes more milk of magnesia than recommended, or if they take it for an extended period.

People who are taking this medication need to make sure they drink plenty of water to prevent becoming dehydrated. If anyone experiences diarrhea after taking a dose of milk of magnesia, they should not use it again.

If someone overdoses on milk of magnesia, they should seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of an overdose may include:

• severe diarrhea
• muscle weakness
• mood change
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• little or no urination

Some people may be allergic to milk of magnesia. Signs of an allergic reaction that require medical attention include:

• hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

People living with impaired kidney function should avoid milk of magnesia. The following people should also avoid taking the medication:

• people on a magnesium-restricted diet
• people with symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, or stomach pain
• people who experience sudden bowel changes that last longer than 14 days

Magnesium may be able to cross the placenta into the body of the fetus. However, doctors do not know if milk of magnesia is safe for use during pregnancy, as there is no data on this.

Small amounts of magnesium may also make its way into breast milk, but doctors do not know the safety of this either.

As such, the general advice is to avoid using milk of magnesia when pregnant or nursing or ask a doctor before use.

Milk of magnesia interferes with a wide range of medications, which means it affects how they work. These include prescription and OTC medications, as well as vitamins and supplements.

Because of the way it impacts the liquids in the gut, milk of magnesia can stop tablets from being absorbed properly.

As a result, a person should talk with their doctor before using milk of magnesia if they regularly take other medications, including OTC medications, vitamins, and prescription medications.

Milk of magnesia is a well-known and effective laxative for the short-term treatment of constipation.

People should not use milk of magnesia for more than 7 days at a time for constipation or 14 days at a time for other digestive issues.

Ongoing symptoms can be a sign of a more serious gut health condition, so if the problem persists, a person should contact their doctor.

Milk of magnesia works by drawing water into the bowel from the surrounding tissue. This means it can stop the body from absorbing a range of other medications, including prescription drugs, supplements, and vitamins.

Anyone who takes medication for a health condition should talk with a doctor before taking milk of magnesia.

Why do you need milk with magnesia? We will tell you.

It is clear to us that milk is an indispensable food for the body due to the amount of components it contains, which in any case benefit the bones and skin, so today we will talk specifically about the benefits and what milk with magnesia is for, because you will definitely find a good use for this ingredient.

There are currently many plant-based milks that cow’s milk should be avoided because many people do not drink it due to lactose intolerance or because they are against animal cruelty. But when we talk about milk of magnesia, it has nothing to do with ordinary milk. those that you are used to drinking. Do you want to know what it’s about?

Index

• 1 The importance of magnesium
• 2 How to drink milk with magnesia
• 3 Things to know before drinking milk of magnesia
  • 3.1 How to drink milk of magnesia?
  • 3.2 What happens if you miss a dose?
  • 3.3 What happens if you take more than the bill?
• 4 Side effects of milk of magnesia
• 5 Other interesting uses of milk of magnesia
• 6 Where to buy milk of magnesia

Importance of magnesium

El Magnesium It is a natural mineral that is important for our body, especially for muscles and nerves. Magnesium hydroxide also reduces stomach acid and increases the amount of water in the intestines, which can help improve bowel movements. For this reason, magnesium hydroxide is also used as a laxative to relieve occasional constipation, or as an antacid to relieve indigestion, heartburn, or heartburn. . Milk of magnesia is also good to drink after a heavy meal. . Magnesia milk is recommended for people who have ulcers or if you are pregnant.

How to drink milk of magnesia

You won’t find milk of magnesia in supermarkets, but you should consult your doctor to tell you exactly how to use it and if it’s right for you. You should not use magnesium hydroxide without the advice and consent of a doctor, especially if you have stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

If you notice sudden changes in bowel function while drinking milk of magnesia that persist for two weeks, you should consult a doctor. Remember that you should not use magnesium hydroxide for more than 7 days without consulting your doctor (you will need to be monitored).

What you need to know before drinking milk of magnesia

You should not drink this milk without consulting your doctor. and you have to ask yourself if it is right for you or not considering if you suffer from kidney disease. While it’s not known for sure if it could harm a growing baby in the womb, it’s important not to take it if you’re pregnant or think you might be. Also do not take it if you have an infant and are breastfeeding.

Article subject:

Magnesium carbonate is a miracle for your body

How to drink magnesium milk?

If you go to the doctor, you should strictly follow his recommendations on how to drink milk with magnesia, but you can also read the instructions on the label. You won’t be able to use more, less, or longer than your doctor or label recommends.

Milk of magnesia is also found in tablets and should be chewed before swallowing. The best way to drink liquids is with a spoon. or with measuring cup if you need to take a special dose. If you do not know how to use the meter, you will only need to ask your pharmacist. The product should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

What happens if you miss a dose?

Magnesium hydroxide is used on an as-needed basis, so a dosing schedule is not always required. Although, if your doctor has advised you to follow your schedule, you will need to take your dose as soon as you remember, in case you forget it. But skip the missed dose if the next dose is about an hour away, You also don’t use more milk with magnesia to make up for what you forgot to drink.

What happens if you take more than the bill?

If you have drunk more milk with magnesia than necessary and you have an overdose, you should immediately contact a medical center. Overdose symptoms may include: diarrhea, muscle weakness, mood swings, rapid heartbeat, changes in the rhythm of your heartbeat (slow or irregular), and infrequent urination (or no urination at all).

Side effects of milk of magnesia

If you have any symptoms of side effects, you should contact your emergency doctor. You should stop taking magnesium hydroxide and call your doctor if you have:

• Allergic reactions such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
• Rectal bleeding.
• No bowel movements after drinking milk as a laxative.
• You have nausea or vomiting.
• You notice the rhythm of your heart in a different way.
• You feel dizzy or faint.
• Redness, warmth, redness or tingling.

There may be other side effects, so you should contact your doctor immediately if you notice anything unusual while taking magnesium milk.

Other interesting uses of milk of magnesia

Especially is great for applying on the face to remove excess oil or moisturize the face before applying makeup, as this way it will better accept everything you add after, removing shine from the face, leaving it matte for those women who want this type of makeup.

So, mention that milk of magnesia is also great as deodorant as it is great for controlling perspiration and it also relieves sun burns now that we live in summer so when applied as a cream, the skin quickly absorbs it, quickly moisturizing.

On the other hand, you should know that Milk of Magnesia is also excellent to use after waxing, both in the legs and armpits or more sensitive points, in the treatment of dermatitis, herpes or in the treatment of oily scalp or dandruff, using it as a shampoo.

So, if you want to feel great, what’s the best way to use Milk of Magnesia, both by mouth (following the doctor’s instructions) and as a skin treatment, noticing improvements in a short time.

Where to buy milk of magnesia

In our country you can find milk of magnesia brand Philips or Normex, in shopping centers like Mercadona.

Milk Magnolax – remedy for constipation with lemon-mint flavor 500 ml

New natural preparation – magnesium milk or Magnolax.
Milk Magnolax – a suspension with a high content of magnesium hydroxide, which contributes to the accumulation of fluid in the intestines and dilution of its contents, Peristalsis increases and accelerates bowel emptying.

Magnolax milk is a natural laxative that works effortlessly, without pain and without spasms.
Supports regular colon cleansing in a natural way.

Benefits of the natural laxative Magnolax Milk:

• Unlike other laxatives, Magnolax acts throughout the intestines
• Non-addictive and non-addictive
• Does not harm or damage the intestinal mucosa
• Promotes regular colon cleansing in a natural, effortless, pain-free and spasm-free manner
• Safe for diabetics and people suffering from hemorrhoids
• Effective against heartburn
• In addition to the laxative effect, the drug provides the body with a sufficient amount of magnesium
• Has a pleasant taste of lemon and mint

Directions for use: Shake before use.
Children over 9 years of age: half a teaspoon (2.5 ml) at bedtime.
Adults: Half to one tablespoon (5-15 ml) at bedtime.

It is used at night so that the period of increased peristalsis occurs in the morning.
Laxative effect usually occurs 5-6 hours after ingestion

Close bottle after use. Store in a cool dark place.
During a particularly hot period, the started bottle can be stored in the refrigerator.

Important: the use of Magnolax milk is prohibited for people with kidney failure.

Package contains: 500 ml

Produced in Israel

Kosher

Also available Magnolax milk – constipation remedy with plum flavor

9000 2 Information, links or articles published on the Vitamin Global website do not constitute a diagnosis.
The buyer makes the final decision on the use of the product himself.
If necessary, it is recommended to seek the advice of a physician.

• Barcode: 72

  218423

• Gross weight: 0.