IBS With Constipation
Ways of Relieving Constipation Symptoms
About IBS with constipation. Learn about Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation here.
IBS-C or constipation-predominant IBS is common. The condition is often associated with other symptoms such as tiredness , wind, bloating, nausea and abdominal pain.
It is diagnosed from the IBS Rome Criteria and needs to be present for 3 months or recurring symptoms need to be occurring in that time, with associated abdominal pain. Stool frequency needs to be reduced to 3 or less a week, with change in stool consistency and form (such as rabbit pellet stool).
The constipation is often associated with mucus, bloating and wind. However, if over 55 years of age, other causes of constipation symptoms such as those seen in colon cancer and diverticular disease need to be considered.
IBS with constipation requires a lot of different approaches and the best ways of relieving constipation symptoms don't normally involve drugs. They may include IBS lifestyle changes,
IBS diet
changes, review of any medications you are taking, colon cleansing in the form of a bowel cleanse or colonic irrigation as well as consideration of laxatives in relieving constipation, only if all else fails.
There are, of course, lots of causes of constipation other than IBS with constipation and these are important to understand when defining the best way of dealing with your
IBS symptoms
. Before reading on we would suggest clicking on this link to appreciate a more thorough understanding of constipation (see
constipation remedies
). On this IBS with constipation web page, we hope to address various approaches in managing your problem including:
Lifestyle Changes
IBS Lifestyle
changes are probably the single most important factor in IBS with constipation. Lack of exercise, poor fluid intake, psychological issues and poor diet are common causes of constipation. A lot of people we see with these issues don’t exercise. This maybe because of physical disability, but more often than not, it is due to lack of inclination or time in the pressured world in which we live.
However, even if there is physical disability, there are always exercises that can be done and enlisting the help of a physiotherapist can be helpful. This may include the use of a water pool under supervision, basic exercises for those in wheelchair, to more active exercise including sports etc for the able bodied.
Encouragement is so important in this situation, not only from your doctor, but also from friends and family (who can also be involved and simultaneously improve their health too!). The use of community sports facilities can be helpful and there are usually trained members of staff who can help you determine the most appropriate level of exercise for you.
Poor fluid intake or inappropriate fluid intake is common in IBS with constipation. In the western world, the intake of excessive caffeine in the form of Tea and Coffee is common. Whilst these are fluids, they can actually have a detrimental effect on the bowel and should be limited when IBS with constipation is an issue.
It is quite clear that a fluid intake of at least 3 litres a day should be achieved. This should be in the form of water or juices if possible. Physically measuring the volume, rather than relying on judgement, is the best way of achieving this.
IBS with constipation and psychological issues are common. This can be due to negative life experiences such as previous physical or psychological abuse, concern of inducing pain during defecation, depression and anxiety. These issues need addressing by professionals and should be discussed with your doctor who can put you in touch with the appropriate services.
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Diet
IBS Diet
is a very important factor in IBS with constipation. In this pressured world in which we all live, maintaining a healthy diet is both difficult to achieve and takes time. I’m sure that I’m not alone in saying that a lot of people don’t take regular meals and often skip meals too.
This can have a significant effect on the bowel and can change the way in which it handles ingested foods. Bowels, like humans need regularity and if there is any disruption to this, the bowel can become constipated. There’s often a reliance on pre-packaged foods that are high in carbohydrates and fats, but low in the fiber which is necessary to maintain a healthy bowel motion.
In IBS with constipation, ensuring the intake of the 5 daily fruits or vegetables is so important and critical to long term health. Increasing fiber intake to as much as 20 to 30G often has a positive response to relieving constipation. You can read more about diet in constipation, particularly related to the Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation, by going to the
IBS diet
page.
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Colon Cleansing
Colon cleansing in some has become a popular way of treating IBS with constipation and has been used in diarrhea too. They have been around for centuries in the form of oral treatments (teas, laxatives and enzymes), enemas and colonic irrigation. The science behind a colon cleanse works on the basis of clearing toxins from the colon thus promoting a sense of wellbeing, reduced fatigue, headache, producing more energy and an improvement in symptoms. They are usually promoted as part of a healthy lifestyle.
A
bowel cleanse
has no confirmed scientific basis in IBS with constipation, although popular with a lot of constipation and diarrhea sufferers as they are often promoted as a natural alternative. From our own inference, people who have had strong laxatives (such as Picolax and Klean Prep) prior to colonoscopy often comment that their symptoms significantly improve for a few weeks after the procedure.
Bearing this in mind, the use of a colonic irrigation (where a tube is passed into the rectum providing a warmed and gravity fed irrigation fluid into the colon) might have some basis, although not clinically proven. The risks should be thought of as similar to
colonoscopy risks
particularly perforation (putting a hole in the bowel) so the procedure should only be carried out by an experienced practitioner. Irrigations should be avoided in bowel conditions such as IBD, diverticulitis, bowel cancer and other pathological bowel conditions where the risk of complications are potentially increased.
Colon cleansing clearly does have a role for some IBS with constipation sufferers, but which colon cleanse? The answer to this is it’s your choice. They’re all based on variations of herbs, electrolytes and enzymes and finding one that works for YOU is the most important thing. There are many different ones available, some of which are advertised on this site. A trial may be helpful to your symptoms.
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Review Of Medication
Some medication may have a detrimental effect on your IBS with constipation. Any review of your medications should be undertaken by a qualified healthcare professional. Stopping medicines could have a detrimental on your health rather than advantageous effect so it should always be done with supervision. There are a lot of medications that can result in constipation, some of which are outlined in the constipation section.
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Constipation Remedies
I’m sure you have heard of constipation remedies for
relieving constipation
from your family or friends. There is no absolute science to them, but most are sensible and easily achieved and may help in your IBS with constipation. Usually they involve fruits which are sensible because of their fiber content. The main ones are Grapes, Figs and raisons and can be taken as the fruit itself or as syrup. Vegetable greens in the form of Spinach, Lettuce and cabbage are important.
Cutting out foods that bind, in particular, eggs can help as well as reducing complex carbohydrates and refined sugars can reduce wind and discomfort which is often associated with constipation.
Taking a teaspoonful of Castor Oil or Corn oil with water is an old fashioned remedy that can help in relieving Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation.
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Laxatives
Laxatives should be thought of as the last resort in Irritable Bowel syndrome with constipation and there are various types available. By clicking on the links to each, you can gain more information on these. The ones that I will highlight include
Fybogel
,
Sterculia
, Lactulose,
Methylcellulose
, docusate, Sodium Picosulphate (Picolax) and Klean Prep.
Zelnorm or Tegaserod, a 5-HT4 agonist was licensed for use in abdominal pain, bloating and constipation, but is currently off license because potential side effects.
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IBS with constipation requires lots of different angles and we hope this web page has been helpful.
Other Web Pages On This Site That May Interest Visitors To The IBS with Constipation Page- IBS Diet Diet is so important in IBS. A change in diet can help up to 70% of sufferers. Find out how by going to the IBS diet page now!
- IBS Treatment We all know how bad Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms can be, but is their a treatment for you that is going to help? Find out now by going to the treatment for IBS page now!
- Colon Cleanse Have you ever considered a colon cleanse for your IBS? Find out the best cleanse options for you by going to the best colon cleanse page now!
- Herbal Medicine A natural treatment option for your Irritable Bowel Syndrome that can be effective is herbal medicine. Learn more by going to the benefits of herbal medicine page now!
- Homeopathy For IBS Have you ever considered homeopathy for your IBS? Find out more by going to the homeopathy remedies page now!
- Manuka Honey Learn about the health benefits of manuka honey. Just go to health benefits of manuka honey page now!
- Acai Berry You’ve learnt about IBS with constipation, now learn all about the health benefits of the acai berry by going to acai berry information page now!
- Why Not Book An Appointment With A Doctor Online? If you need online medical help with relieving constipation symptoms or any other problem, why not visit my online medical health page. You will be able to book an appointment online to discuss your medical problems or ask for advice on anything that is worrying you, perhaps clarify drugs, ask for a second opinion and much more. Just go to ask a doctor online and book your appointment with me now!
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Feedback about your Constipation and how you manage your symptoms, to help other sufferers! By feeding back you are letting other sufferers know your experiences of constipation and also contributing to the IBS Help Online community. You may be helped from the comments of others too!
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I take heavy pain killers for a spinal injury, opiods, gabapentin oxycontin, and have been prescribed laxatives for the problem by the University Hospital ...
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