Could my 5 year old be constipated or is there more to it?

[krisjoy]

My 5 year old daughter never lost her "toddler belly". It looks bloated and she has occasional stomach pain below her belly button. When I brought her in for her 5 year physical I asked her Dr about it. He said it is constipation. I told him she.has normal bowel movements everyday, except during times she gets stomach bugs then its diarhea, and that she is bloated constantly. Dr said the loose stool is getting past hard impacted stool. I was quite suprised to hear it and I havent been able to find info on this on the net. Does anyone have info on this? Could it be something else?

[krisjoy]

She is lactose intolerant. She always has to announce every time she has to go number 2. She also tells us when its runny and always wants me to look at it.
If prune juice and etc doesnt help it then Dr wants me to bring her back in and we will figure out if she needs to see a specialist.
This is something I have never heard of. My older children had bouts of constipation but their bellies werent bloated.
Thank you everyone for suggestions.

[lisaob1]

have you noticed a pattern at all?..i only ask as you say she gets stomach bugs and diarhea.. it could be anything from an allergy to a problem with the bowel..or something genetic..monitor her bowel movements and what she eats...it could really help

[julieanne108]

how sure you are that the bowel movement of  your daughter is normal?
you should try to consult other doctor, Im talking about the Physician who has broad experience on digestive system cases, the doctor who is specialist for that.
my help to you is monitor her daily activities,diet.
search for chron's disease,gastroenteritis, colon cancer, manifestations and signs/symptoms.etc.

I think it will help.
give her also a rich in fiber diet whenever she is constipated.

[roszay]

It could be a hernia. My niece had the same problem Dr. Said it was constipation n it did something in her intestine that made a hernia so see if that is what it is. Other than than get a 2nd opinion and find a  Dr that specialize in the digestive system.