AUSTIN, TEXAS – (December 30, 2013) Children’s Urology, Austin’s only pediatric urology practice, has opened a multi-disciplinary clinic dedicated to addressing bowel and bladder problems—conditions that often go hand in hand. They have launched their Combined Care Clinic with pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Anees Siddiqui to provide the most comprehensive treatment for Central Texas children.
LESLIE T. MCQUISTON, M.D.
“Constipation is a major contributor to urinary tract infections and other urinary problems. We saw a need to address both of these sensitive issues, all under one roof, and make it a seamless process for our patients,” explained Dr. Leslie McQuiston, pediatric urologist with Children’s Urology.
Dr. McQuiston says parents should seek help from a pediatric urologist if their school age child has daytime/nighttime wetting, pain with urination, or has recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), for example.
The team at Children’s Urology addresses these urinary problems by doing a thorough evaluation and physical exam. They also use tools such as voiding and elimination diaries that enable them to get a better sense of a child’s bathroom use and frequency of accidents as well as other testing like ultrasound, urinalysis, and uroflow testing (measures how fast, how much, and how efficiently urine is passed).
After a child is evaluated, a variety of different management plans or tests may be recommended. This may be something as simple as changing a child’s bathroom patterns and diet or more involved like pelvic floor physical therapy and biofeedback , or medications. The medical providers will work with the child and family to create a management plan and for ongoing consultation.
Constipation is common among children and accounts for 3-5% of all visits to the pediatrician.
Explained Dr. McQuiston. “It’s important for parents to address constipation early on because holding back bowel movements can interrupt the brain to colon signals that tell a child when stool needs to come out. As stool builds in the colon, it stretches it beyond its normal shape and size, which can make having a bowel movement extremely painful.”
Dr. McQuiston says a child may be chronically constipated if he or she has fewer than three bowel movements a week or having bowel movements that are hard, dry and small, making them painful or difficult to pass.
“We’re seeing a growing number of children with constipation that we think may be related to lack of physical exercise and poor fiber intake,” said Dr. McQuiston. “Addressing this with a combined approach of behavioral therapy, dietary changes and other medical intervention can significantly improve these issues in most children.”
If a child is suffering from chronic constipation, the team at the Combined Care Clinic can provide important education and helpful strategies including:
- Family education
- Clean-out procedures (enemas and oral laxatives)
- Maintenance medications
- Diet modifications
- Assistance in developing a behavioral plan tailored to children and their families
- Training in behavioral strategies to increase your child’s cooperation