10 year old boy with loose stools

[tomjan]

My 10 year old has always had loose stools...not watery...just
loose, not formed in any way.  It is like this every time he
goes to the bathroom and has been as far back as I can remember.  He
also goes 3 to 4 times a day and when he has to go, he has to
get to the bathroom within a matter of minutes or there could
be an accident.  The doctor did some tests on a stool sample I
brought in and didn't find any problems.  Any ideas?

[kijest]

has anyone mentioned encopresis to you?
my brother had it when we were children.  it's almost always specific to young boys.
it's a kind of 'long term' constipation that causes loose/watery stool to slide around the enlarged colon and leak out.
it can be controlled with diet, but it takes a long time.

here is a website that explains more about it.

http://ask.com/main/followup.asp?qcat=hlth&ask=fecal+incontinence&qsrc=0&o=0&snp=jeeves&qid=CCEC72E596CFD74F8885F19CCF35D8E5&back=ask%3Dfecal%2Bincontinence%26ori%3D0%26qsrc%3D0%26meta%3D1%26x%3D0%26y%3D0&qcatid=2&score=0.8&aj_ques=snapshot%3DJeeves%26kbid%3D1405373%26item1%3D21164-65336&aj_logid=CCEC72E596CFD74F8885F19CCF35D8E5&aj_rank=4&aj_score=0.8&aj_list1=21164-65336

good luck!
kimi

[pridnook]

I know what you are going through, my daughter has had the same problem her whole life, she's only 3 though.  Her doctors have been giving her tests since she was about 6 months old. Last week we finally got an answer, Celiac disease.  It's an allergy to oats, grains and flour.  A change of diet is needed.  You son will need to be on the change of diet for the rest of his life.  I was told by a friend that there are support groups for this, and that it is relativly common.  If you haven't yet done so, you need to have you son seen by his doctor and see what the next step is.  Good luck.  -Pridnook

[Concerned lady]

I agree with ALL the above comments!

Also, avoid ARTIFICIAL INDREDIENTS in foods, snacks, and drinks-- like sorbitol, mannitol, etc. which cause diarrhea. Read labels carefully. If you can't pronounce the ingredient, or don't know what it is, DON'T EAT IT.

Avoid artificial sweeteners, like "EQUAL" (also called "NUTRASWEET" and "ASPARTAME"), which causes stomach upset (and other worse things).

I agree with the possibility of "LACTOSE INTOLERANCE" (regarding milk products). Try "Lactaid" (lactase enzyme) to see if it helps, when eating or drinking milk products (even good ones like yogurt).

Also consider beneficial bacteria ("pro-biotics"), like ACIDOPHILUS &/OR BIFIDO-BACTERIA, in moderation, which can sometimes help to control an infection in the small or large intestines.

If he ever was on ANTI-BIOTICS, he probably needs to re-populate the beneficial bacteria, in the large intestine, to keep bad yeasts & bad bacteria under control.

I agree with the possiblity of CELIAC DISEASE, FOOD ALLERGIES, and/or IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME, etc. Ask your doctor to give you information about these, and to check your son for these, in non-invasive ways.

I agree with seeing a GOOD SPECIALIST (Allergist, etc.)

Is your water supply free of bacteria, or pesticide runoff from farming? Consider an inexpensive solid charcoal water filter that can go on the faucet, like from "Culligan".

Don't drink water that has "water softeners" in it.

Also, ask your son to use paper towels on faucets in school restrooms to prevent exposure to other children's infections.

I'm glad you are pro-active! Your son is lucky to have you as his parent!

[Wilson]

You might want to get him tested for celiac disease, food allergies, or lactose intolerance. You could try eliminating certain things from his diet to see if anything he's eating is the culprit. Good luck.

[MARY ANN]

i'm not saying that irritable bowel syndrome doesn't exist i am simply saying a second or even a third opion would not hurt after all he is only 10 years old, and from what you've said this has been long standing problem . go to a couple of well recomended gastro and digestive specialest for children .god bless.

[Dr. Erik]

Maybe Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Could be underlying cause. You should consult a pediatric Gastroenterologist.