Constipation in Eastern European Adoptees
Ah, the joys of parenting, right? All of us parents, whether adoptive parent or biological parents have been dealt with our fair share of poop…some more than others. Some of us have had all the poop we ever, ever want.
Many children from Eastern European orphanages have issues with constipation, encopresis, and holding their bowels. In fact, our son has problems with all three because of medical reasons, learned behaviors, and a drastic change in diet.
What is Encopresis and How Does it Affect Children?
Ah yes, poop again. But, it has to be talked about.
Encopresis is actually a long standing problem developed from constipation. A child who has chronic constipation will often not completely empty themselves and the large intestine will start to stretch, allowing stool to “leak” around the hard, formed, stool in the colon. The first sign of encopresis is usually stained underwear but most parents assume the child is not wiping well.




