Can Hot Chocolate cause or contibute to Constipation?

[Lonnie]

My Daughter, 21, and Autistic, has suffered all her life with constipation, however, as I said in an earlier post, she has become addicted to Hot Chocolate, and it is virtually all she will drink, and now, she is so severely constipated, I have to pull the stools from her, we've got medication from the GP, and also from the health shop, but nothing seems to work, so I wondered if the Hot Chocolate might have something to do with it. Also, any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

[mgba_78]

I don't really know the answer to your question.. sorry.

But i did think you maybe try and experiment and put less chocolate powder in to see if it is the chocolate thats making her constipated.

[tigerthecat]

How severley affected by the autism is she, does she have any additional difficulties? ASD really is a little understood condition but there are lots of interventions that can be done to support someone with the condition.

[aka estie]

Hi Lonnie,

Chocolate contains theobromine (a close relative of caffeine), which is a mild diuretic. This means that it stimulates urine production, and thus can cause dehydration. This may contribute to the constipation, because it stimulates the body to retain water from the stools, so they become harder and more compact.

I don't have a solution, but I hope the info can help you.

Estie

[copippin]

Hi Lonnie,so sorry to hear of your daughter's problem,as aka estie says it could well be the chocolate that is contributing to the constipation.I feel that as you have had to resort to the drastic measures you describe,that you should take another trip to the GP,it seems that what he has been prescribed is not strong enough so a rethink is called for. Constipation ,if left to get out of hand can become a traumatic issue for the patient;I am sure your GP would be sympathetic if you tell him/her exactly what you have written in your post.

Hope the situation improves and your daughter is soon feeling much more comfortable.

[Lonnie]

Thanks everyone for your answers,

mgba, thanks for your post, but we already tried that, and it didn't work, but thanks anyway.

tiger, Yes, she does have some other problems, she's not 'classic', although she does have have all the recognised symptoms, mentally, she's grown approx one month for every year that she's lived, so she's a twentyone year old toddler with Autism, she also has low muscle tone, which doesn't help with her toiletting, ASD was dismissed some years ago. but thanks anyway.

aka estie, Your post very informative, thanks very much, food for thought, it seems, as I suspected, (otherwise I wouldn't have asked my question), her favourite drink is probably a contributary factor.

copippin, Thanks for your post also, She sees a consultant, and has been prescribed Movacol, double the normal dose, but even that doesn't work, sometimes she can go upto a fortnight without going, and even then, if she can pass some herself, its like rabbit pellets, and as hard as marbles, I have taken notes on what aka and you have said about the Theobromine, and thanks again.

[peeriesooky]

my son has classic autistic signs also and it is difficult to break their 'routine' but keep trying her with water. I found my son gradually accepted the new routine and now accepts water as a vaiation of a drink. hope this helps you as i know how hard it is but good luck

[Honey pot]

Look at your daughters diet. Fruit? there is also a chocolate drink called Senokot which is designed to make you go to the toilet, it is natural and you can buy it from any chemist it comes in small granuales but make sure you read the instructions!!! It doesn't give you the runs.

Also your Doctor should be helping you more ie referring your daugther to a dietican

[Lonnie]

Thanks Honey pot, she's been on Senokots, they did nothing, but I take on board what your saying about the fruit, she refuses totally to eat lumps, but its a possibility stewed or mashed down, also she has her consultants appointment coming up at the end of this month, i'll speak to him about the dietician, its something neither my wife or I had thought of. Thanks again.

[Honey pot]

On the subject of fruit, have you tried making smoothie drinks? My niece and nephew totally refused to eat fruit, so we stuck the fruit in a blender and would you believe it they always ask for more. You can add ice cream, milk, powdered chocolate, they make lovely milk shakes. Hope it works out for you!!

If you can get your daugther to drink any liquid then thats a bonus. If you dont drink enough then you start to do No 2's like a rabbit, know what i mean.

[jamesyireland]

Hi I am no doctor or scientist but I can tell you that Hot Milk binds the stomach and causes constipation if consumed excessively. It's not the chocolate but rather the milk. My mum used to give me very warm milk when I had diarrohea as a baby, and it worked a treat. I've never been able to find out why Hot milk does this, it just does! I would be smart and slowly wean her off it by gradually reducing the temperature of the hot milk to the point where it's only barely warm if not cold.

[jamesyireland]

Hi I am no doctor or scientist but I can tell you that Hot Milk binds the stomach and causes constipation if consumed excessively. It's not the chocolate but rather the milk. My mum used to give me very warm milk when I had diarrohea as a baby, and it works a treat. I've never been able to find out why Hot milk does this, it just does! I would be smart and slowly wean her off it by gradually reducing the temperature of the hot milk to the point where it's only barely warm if not cold.