Sometimes, my son gives off a rather unpleasant odor—more than just the typical body odor. But let me clarify: it’s not due to a lack of cleanliness or carelessness.
He has a rare condition that many people might not be familiar with. We tend to avoid discussing it in casual settings since it often leads to awkward topics like “intestinal” and “bowel” issues, which can be embarrassing for him—and for me, too!
My son was diagnosed with a chronic illness known as Hirschsprung Disease. This means that his digestive system lacks certain nerve cells. At birth, his colon was completely blocked, leading to serious infections and complications that could have been fatal.
It’s not easy for him. To the casual observer, he appears to be just like any other child. Unless you catch a glimpse of the scars on his abdomen from multiple surgeries, you wouldn’t guess the struggles he faces daily.
However, there are times when the odor can be quite strong. It’s worse than the usual smells associated with bowel movements. His stomach often emits loud, rumbling noises that are definitely not related to hunger. There are moments when he races to the bathroom as if he’s being chased, or he might spend an extended period on the toilet, which is tough for a nine-year-old navigating the social landscape of childhood.
Despite his age, I worry about the teasing and judgment he may face as he grows older, especially in fifth grade, seventh grade, and beyond.
We do our best to manage his unique condition through medication and various treatments. Unfortunately, unless we opt for another surgical procedure that would allow him to expel waste through a stoma or a port, dealing with occasional leaks and odors is just part of his current reality.
This “normal” is far from easy. My son may seem like a carefree kid, but he has faced challenges that most people will never encounter in their lifetime, including painful surgeries, dilations, and frequent, severe stomach issues. So, if he occasionally smells bad, it’s truly one of the least of his worries at this point.
While his situation is uncommon, many children deal with hidden digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For them, the occasional odor and urgent trips to the bathroom are simply part of living with their conditions. It’s not about laziness or poor hygiene; it’s just the way life is for them.
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Summary:
This article discusses the challenges faced by children with hidden health conditions, particularly focusing on Hirschsprung Disease. It emphasizes that occasional unpleasant odors in children like the author’s son are not due to poor hygiene but rather to their medical conditions. The piece aims to promote understanding and reduce stigma around such issues.
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