Constipation is NOT normal! Miralax is NOT a cure!

Constipation is NOT normal! ❌ MiraLAX is NOT a cure.

If we had a penny for every time a parent came to us saying that they were told by their previous pediatrician that constipation is normal and just to take Miralax…or better yet, see a GI specialist…

What they don’t tell you is that Miralax has a black box warning against its active ingredient PEG3350. ⚠️
This ingredient can cause significant neurological symptoms and alter the gut microbiome, which was proven in mice studies. We will let you research Miralax more on your own, but needless to say, we would never recommend or prescribe this to a patient, and we strive to get the patient off of this medication ASAP when they come into the office.

After analyzing over 500 stool tests in my career so far, we tend to see the same common problems. Inflammation, malabsorption, dysbiosis, or imbalance and bacteria/fungal overgrowth.

An unbalanced gut microbiome overrun with toxins and inflammation makes way for digestive issues like constipation to set in. Constipation stretches the rectum and causes lack of peristalsis. This is very uncomfortable for the child and this is why we take this very seriously and work hard to quickly reverse these symptoms.

If your child’s diet is full of fast food, fried foods, processed foods, lunch meats, white bread, snack foods like chips, pastries, and sweets, they may not have a healthy gut and may be left feeling sluggish. Looking at diet, water intake, and activity levels are good places to start when trying to determine causes of digestive issues

Sometimes home remedies aren’t enough to help potty problems, but eating a diet rich in fibers, fresh fruits and veggies, staying well hydrated, and staying active are good practices to adopt anyway!​​​​​​​​

Treatment for constipation will depends on the cause, as well as age, and severity of the problem. Most constipation is temporary and can be remedied with diet and lifestyle changes, however there are sometimes other reasons constipation occurs or is more chronic or severe which require testing and help from a healthcare provider.​​​​​​​​

If at-home remedies aren’t working and you need some help, reach out to us.

‍⚕️ After identifying the cause, Well-Rooted works to develop a specific regimen of supplements while working side by side with a provider who specializes in Functional Medicine and often times, a Functional Nutritionist as well. Having the specific regimens that we do, and the follow through that we do, along with the accuracy; we are able to treat this ailment effectively and efficiently once and for all.

It’s something we all do nearly every day, but not something we often talk about! Talking about poo should not be taboo! Our #2 can tell us a lot about our health.​​​​​​​​

This Bristol stool chart is a quick, easy way to get an idea of what you should be looking for in the toilet bowl.

​​​​​​​​An unhealthy gut is the root cause of many diseases and illnesses. Constipation is a symptom and a root cause to many!​​​​​​​​

Poop is generally:​​​​​​​​
Medium to dark brown: It contains a pigment called bilirubin, which forms when red blood cells break down.​​​​​​​​
Strong-smelling: Bacteria in excrement emit gases that contain the unpleasant odor associated with poop.​​​​​​​​
Pain-free to pass: A healthy bowel movement should be painless and require minimal strain.​​​​​​​​
Soft to firm in texture: Doctors consider poop passed in one single piece or a few smaller pieces to signify a healthy bowel. The long, sausage-like shape of poop is due to the shape of the intestines.​​​​​​​​
Passed once or twice daily: Most people pass stool once a day, although others may poop every other day or up to three times daily. At a minimum, a person should pass stool three times per week.​​​​​​​​
Consistent in its characteristics: A healthy poop varies from person to person. However, people should monitor any changes in the smell, firmness, frequency, or color of poop as it can indicate an issue.​​​​​​​​
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