Constipation in children could mean they open their bowels less than once every three days. They also may pass less frequent very large motions or have more common small motions. The child may withhold or strain to prevent themselves from passing large painful stools, causing abdominal pain and distension.

Symptoms: Children with constipation commonly experience a reduced appetite, changes in their emotional regulation, and sleep disturbance. They also may have experience lower energy levels.

Advice & Signpost: Is your child able to access the toilet?  Or do they need support from you in creating a toileting plan?

The stomach and the bowel are often responsible for absorbing medication and nutrition. Consequently, treating constipation means that the body has better capacity for other health needs to be treated. The Eric website includes loads of useful information and advice around toilet anxieties, children’s bowels and bladders. The Derbyshire Children’s Continence Service website is also an excellent resource for a variety of toileting and constipation issues.

Mental health impact: Constipation may result in restlessness, stress, poor concentration, low mood, worry, irritability, and lethargy

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes is a serious lifelong condition where a child or young person’s body can’t make a hormone called insulin, causing their blood glucose (sugar) level to become too high. We all need insulin to live. It does an essential job. It allows the glucose in our blood to enter our cells and fuel our bodies.  We are not sure what causes type 1 diabetes to develop, but it is not linked with diet or lifestyle choices.  If type 1 is left undiagnosed, it can make your child or young person really unwell, really quickly.

Symptoms: Children and young people with Type 2 Diabetes may:

• Toileting – Babies might have heavier nappies, and children who are usually dry at night might start wetting the bed. 

• Thirst – Children may ask for a drink more often and/or drink more and finish drinks very quickly

• Tiredness – Babies might start napping more regularly or for longer and children may have trouble staying awake in school

• Thinness – Children may feel or look thinner when you’re getting them dressed, or their clothes may feel looser. 

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes means that a child or young person’s body still breaks down carbohydrates and turns it into glucose. As a result, the pancreas releases insulin. However, this insulin can’t work properly, and the body’s blood sugar levels keep rising, causing more insulin to be released. For some people with type 2 diabetes, this can eventually wear the pancreas out, meaning the body makes less and less insulin. This can cause higher blood sugar levels and significantly increase the risk of hyperglycaemia. 

Symptoms: Children and young people with Type 2 Diabetes may:

• Go to the toilet more often, especially at night

• Feel more tired, because their body can't get enough glucose in to their cells for energy

• Lose weight without trying 

• Experience genital itching or thrush 

• Take longer to heal from cuts and wounds

• Experience blurred vision 

• Often feel extremely thirsty.

Advice and Signpost: The advice is depending on whether your young person has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Visit the following website for more advice

Mental health impact: Diabetes may result in children and young people experiencing low self-esteem, low confidence, emotional dysregulation, worry, stress and low mood

There are different types of Eczema, the most common form in young people is Atopic Eczema, which causes certain areas of the skin to become dry, itchy and cracked. What causes Atopic Eczema is still unknown, but research suggests that it is not down to one thing. It often occurs in people who get allergies, as “Atopic” means sensitivity to allergens

Symptoms & treatment: Some children and young people experience patches of dry skin, whilst others may experience inflamed skin all over the body. In children, it usually effects the hands, the inside of the elbows, the backs of the knees and the face and scalp; however, it can also affect any part of the body. People with Atopic Eczema have periods where symptoms aren’t so bad, but then there are periods when symptoms become a lot more severe.

Currently, there’s no permanent cure, and severe eczema can have a significant impact on daily life. However, different treatments can be used to reduce symptoms, such as: reducing scratching and avoiding triggers, and/or applying emollients (moisturising treatments) or topical corticosteroids.

If your child is experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should speak to your GP and visit the following website

Mental health impact: Confidence, self-esteem, stress, worry, low mood.

It is important to seek the guidance of your child specialists to ensure the correct individual treatment plan. There are many different types of medication, which may affect your child’s appetite, sleep and bowel movements. It is important that all side effects are shared with relevant professionals and treated wherever possible. Please visit: https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/children/watch#jacksafe for more information

Epilepsy is a condition which can causes seizures in people of all ages. Seizures are bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works. They can cause a wide range of symptoms. Having a seizure can causes temporary incontinence, headaches, disorientation, exhaustion and change in mood. Epilepsy can start at any age, but it is mostly likely to start in childhood or over the age of 60.

Common symptoms can include:

• Full body/part of body moving out of the person’s control, often referred to a ‘fit’

• Losing awareness and staring into space

• Strange sensations in the body, such as a ‘rising’ feeling in the stomach, or tingly feelings in their arms or legs

If you think your young person is experiencing these symptoms, check with your GP immediately. Call 999 for an ambulance if your child is having a seizure for the first time,  having a seizure that lasts for more than 5 minutes, having lots of seizures in a row, having breathing problems or has seriously injured themselves. For more information, visit the following website

Impact on mental health: Epilepsy may result in children and young people experiencing worry, low mood, and/or high levels of anxiety,

A thyroid condition keeps your thyroid from making the right number of hormones. A thyroid condition means that a child or young person’s body can burn calories either too quickly or too slowly. There are two types of thyroid conditions:

Hypothyroidism: which can include symptoms such as tiredness, feeling cold, weight gain, poor concentration, and/or depression.

Hyperthyroidism: which can include symptoms such as weight loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, and, sometimes, sore and gritty eyes.

Other Symptoms: Sometimes there are very few symptoms, but they can include: Weight loss/gain, swollen neck, buldging eyes, trembling, heart rate irregularity, temperature irregularity, irregular periods.

A blood test at the GP/doctor will confirm whether or not there is a thyroid health need.

Mental health impact: Having a thyroid condition may result in children and young people experiencing low mood, worry, irritability, lethargy, and/or emotional dysregulation.

Reflux is where stomach acid travels up the throat and can cause a burning sensation in the chest, often referred to ‘Heart burn’. Lot’s of young people can get Acid Reflux from time to time, and there’s multiple reasons why this can occur. Some of the common causes include: certain foods or drink, being overweight, stress and anxiety and also side effects from medications.

Symptoms:

• Spitting up and vomiting,

• Refusal to eat and difficulty eating or swallowing

• Irritability during feeding

• Wet burps or hiccups

• Failure to gain weight

• Abnormal arching of the back

• Frequent coughing or recurrent pneumonia

• Gagging or choking

• Chest pain or heartburn

• Disturbed sleep

If your young person is experiencing acid reflux, please visit your local pharmacy for advice. Alternatively visit this website for more information.

Impact on mental health: Having Acid Reflux may result in children and young people experiencing stress, worry, low mood, and/or emotional dysregulation