Why Are Children Constipated in Dubai?

If you’ve noticed your child visiting the bathroom less often or complaining of stomach pain, you’re not alone. Why is Constipation in children getting soo common? Families across Dubai are reporting more cases of childhood constipation, and that can be stressful for parents. This article explains common causes, answers parents’ most frequent questions, and offers practical prevention tips tailored to life in Dubai.

Why are so many children constipated?

Several factors contribute to the rising rates of constipation among children:

• Diet low in fibre and fluids: Busy lifestyles, reliance on processed or “fast” foods and high intake of low-fibre snacks reduce bowel motility. In hot climates like Dubai, children may also drink less water, increasing stool hardness.
• Decreased physical activity: More screen time and less active play slows gut transit time, making constipation more likely.
• Toilet habits and withholding: Embarrassment at school toilets, changes in routine (travel or relocation common in Dubai), or painful past stools can lead children to hold stool, which worsens constipation.
• Improper toilet training: Late or inconsistent toilet training can affect bowel habits.
• Medications and medical conditions: Some medications (iron supplements, certain antacids, some anticonvulsants) and medical issues can cause or worsen constipation.
• Endocrine causes: Hypothyroidism and other hormonal imbalances can slow gut motility and contribute to chronic constipation, so thyroid function is sometimes checked when constipation is persistent or there are other symptoms such as growth delay, fatigue, or cold intolerance.
• Environmental and cultural factors: Families new to Dubai or frequently moving between countries may experience routine disruptions. Also, dietary changes (e.g., sudden shifts in milk intake or unfamiliar foods) can affect bowel patterns.

It is always best to consult a healthcare professional for a diagnosis. Our doctors at Zaincura can provide a personalized assessment and tailor treatment to your child's needs.

Can constipation cause headaches?

Constipation is not a typical direct cause of headaches, but there are connections:

• Discomfort and stress: Chronic abdominal pain and poor sleep from constipation can increase tension and trigger headaches in sensitive children.
• Dehydration: Insufficient fluid intake contributes to both constipation and headaches.
• Systemic effects: Severe, prolonged constipation rarely can affect appetite and sleep, indirectly increasing headache risk.

If your child has persistent headaches alongside bowel changes, it’s important to get a medical evaluation. Headaches should not be automatically attributed to constipation without ruling out other causes.

Can constipation cause diarrhea?

Yes, this is a common and confusing scenario. When stool builds up in the rectum and becomes impacted, softer stool or liquid higher up in the bowel can leak around the blockage and appear as diarrhea. This is called "overflow diarrhea".

Key points to recognise overflow diarrhea:

• It may present as frequent, small-volume loose stools combined with hard lumps in the rectum.
• The child may also have stomach pain, soiling of underwear, and a decreased appetite.

Because overflow can mimic infectious diarrhea, a medical assessment is important to identify impaction and start appropriate treatment.

How to keep children from getting constipated?

Preventing constipation often involves simple, practical steps that fit into family life in Dubai:

1. Encourage a fibre-rich diet

   • Offer whole grains, pulses, vegetables and fruits daily. Easy Dubai-friendly choices include whole-grain pita, lentil-based dishes, fresh fruits like apples and pears, and vegetables.
   • Include prunes, peaches or pears as natural stool softeners when needed.

2. Promote regular fluids

   • Ensure adequate water intake, especially in hot weather. Carry a water bottle when outdoors.
   • Limit excessive cow’s milk (over 500–600 ml/day) as it can contribute to constipation in some children.

3. Establish a routine

   • Encourage sitting on the toilet for 5–10 minutes after meals (the gastrocolic reflex helps) , make it positive and stress-free.
   • Keep a consistent bathroom schedule even on weekends and during travel.

4. Increase physical activity

   • Aim for active play daily. Even short bursts of movement improve bowel motility.

5. Avoid withholding and provide support

   • Address fears about school toilets or discomfort, speak with teachers if needed. Use gentle encouragement rather than punishment.

6. Use safe medications when advised

   • If dietary measures aren’t enough, doctors may suggest osmotic laxatives (e.g., polyethylene glycol) or stool softeners for limited periods. Always use these under medical guidance.

These measures are generally effective, but persistent constipation or red-flag symptoms require professional evaluation.

Psychological impact on children and parents

Constipation can have important psychological effects:

• For children: Recurrent pain, toileting accidents and social embarrassment can lead to anxiety, reduced self-esteem, school avoidance and withdrawal from activities. Behavioural changes such as irritability or sleep disturbance are common.
• For parents and families: Ongoing worries about a child’s health, repeated clinic visits and disrupted routines can cause stress, guilt and family strain. Parents may feel frustrated when home remedies fail or when symptoms recur.

Addressing psychological impact early, with reassurance and supportive strategies, improves outcomes and adherence to treatment.

Multidisciplinary approach and the importance of consistency

Effective management often requires a team effort and consistent follow-up:

• Team members may include a paediatrician, paediatric gastroenterologist, dietitian, psychologist or behavioural therapist, continence nurse and physiotherapist when pelvic floor dysfunction is suspected.
• Treatment typically involves an initial bowel cleanout if impaction is present, followed by maintenance therapy and behavioural strategies. Consistency in treatment, medication dosing and toileting routines is critical to prevent relapse.
• Regular follow-up helps tailor therapy, reinforce positive toilet habits and address barriers such as school concerns or psychological issues.

A coordinated plan and perseverance usually lead to resolution, even when symptoms have been longstanding.

When constipation is undiagnosed or diagnosed late

Many cases are undiagnosed or managed at home for long periods before medical help is sought. Late diagnosis can lead to complications such as rectal impaction, chronic pain, soiling, urinary problems and longer treatment needed to re-establish normal habits. Early recognition and a proactive plan reduce complications and shorten recovery.

Relation with urinary tract infections, development and behaviour

• Urinary tract infections and bladder dysfunction are more common in children with constipation. Large stools can press on the bladder causing incomplete emptying, urgency and in some cases recurrent UTIs.
• Constipation is also more prevalent in children with developmental delays and behavioural conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Sensory issues, toileting resistance and communication challenges can worsen bowel problems.
• Recognising these links helps clinicians screen for urinary symptoms and developmental concerns, and to involve appropriate specialists.

Statistics and fun facts

• Prevalence: Functional constipation affects a substantial number of children, with estimates up to about 30% in some populations depending on age and setting.
• Recurrence: Relapse is common without ongoing management, and some studies report relapse or ongoing symptoms in a sizeable minority after initial treatment.
• Normal variation: Healthy children can have a wide range of normal stooling, from multiple times per day to a few times per week, depending on diet, age and routine.
• Fun fact: The gastrocolic reflex, a normal increase in bowel activity after eating, is often strongest after breakfast, which is why regular morning toileting can help establish a routine.

When to Visit a Doctor at Zaincura

Visit a doctor at Zaincura if your child has:

• No bowel movement for several days with increasing pain or a hard belly
• Repeated vomiting, fevers, blood in the stool, or unexplained weight loss
• Leakage of liquid stool with soiling of underwear (possible impaction)
• Severe or worsening abdominal pain, or if your child is unusually lethargic

It is always best to consult a healthcare professional for a diagnosis. Our doctors at Zaincura can provide a personalized assessment, prescribe safe treatments, and advise on diet and behaviour strategies suited to your child and lifestyle in Dubai. You can book an appointment online or call our clinic to speak with a paediatric specialist.

Please note that the information here does not replace a medical consultation. If you are concerned about your child, arrange a clinical review.

Conclusion

Constipation in children is increasingly common in busy, hot urban environments like Dubai due to diet, hydration, activity and routine changes. Simple prevention strategies such as fibre, fluids, routine toileting and activity help most children, while persistent or severe cases should be evaluated by a clinician. A multidisciplinary and consistent approach, early recognition and support for the psychological impact improve outcomes. Our team at Zaincura is ready to assess and support your child with evidence-based care.

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References

• World Health Organization (WHO). Healthy Diet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Child Nutrition and Hydration. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/children/index.html
• American Academy of Pediatrics. Functional Constipation in Infants and Children. https://www.aap.org
• NHS.UK. Constipation in Children. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/constipation-in-children/
• Mayo Clinic. Constipation in Children — Symptoms and Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/symptoms-causes/syc-20371303
• Review: Benninga MA, et al. Pediatric Constipation: A Practical Guide (PubMed). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ (search: pediatric constipation review)

Our content is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is always best to consult a healthcare professional for a diagnosis.