Dr Phil Kieran: My daughter gets constipated when she's stressed  

Treating constipation is a marathon, not a sprint, but helping your daughter to manage it by herself will be a life-long skill that will help her in the future

Fluids are important as our large intestine is very good at reabsorbing liquid from our stool, so being well hydrated helps keep bowel movements softer. File picture: iStock 

My nine-year-old child gets constipated whenever she’s stressed. It seems to get worse as she gets older. The latest stressor is a small role in a school play, even though she is excited about joining her friends on stage. What treatment would you recommend?

Constipation is one of the most common causes of abdominal discomfort I see on a daily basis in my GP surgery. In fact, it occurs in up to 30% of all children. Many people have symptoms of it on and off throughout their lives.