| Constipation is an issue that I address quite | | | | Slippery elm is an herbal remedy that can aid in |
| frequently in my practice. It is a very common | | | | constipation. Slippery elm, as its name implies, |
| problem in our society in both children and adults. | | | | makes the stool slippery and therefore easier to |
| The ideal situation is to have a bowel movement | | | | pass. This also increases mucous production in the |
| after each meal. But that may seem like a lot so | | | | digestive tract which also makes the lining of the |
| what I encourage for patients in my practice is to | | | | gut slippery to further aid in the elimination of |
| have at least two bowel movements per day. For | | | | stool. Slippery elm is easy to find, available at |
| many people, just having one bowel movement a | | | | most health food stores, in both bulk powder and |
| day is good and for children on the spectrum, | | | | capsule forms. You can add slippery elm to juice |
| having more frequent bowel movements can be | | | | or food to make it easier to give. Slippery elm is |
| challenging. | | | | very safe as well, I have taken slippery elm |
| As I have gone over in previous videos, there are | | | | myself and have many patients of all ages who |
| many issues that surround constipation with kids | | | | take it. |
| on the spectrum. A very common issue is the | | | | Slippery elm is very effective, but there is no |
| child who has the urgency to have a bowel | | | | specific dose set for weight or age. So when |
| movement but they have a difficult time passing | | | | using slippery elm in capsule form, in most cases |
| it. It may be that their stool is too hard to pass. | | | | start with one or two capsules, maybe 3. The |
| One very easy remedy could be simply to make | | | | range of my patients who are between the ages |
| sure they get more fluids which will get more fluid | | | | of 4 and 8 have been anywhere from 3 to 6 |
| into the digestive tract making the stool softer | | | | slippery elms capsules a day just to make their |
| and easier to pass. Gluten free fiber supplements, | | | | stool easier to pass. So if you have a child who |
| like Tru Fiber, can add bulk to the stool which will | | | | does have the sensation to have a bowel |
| also make them easier to pass. And if you add | | | | movement but may just have a bit of |
| fiber, you definitely want to increase water intake | | | | constipation, add more fluids and try slippery elm |
| as well. | | | | as an option to help. |