Irish Visitors Click HereIrritable Bowel Syndrome
Constipation can sometimes be a complication of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Although up to 20% of the adult population are estimated to suffer from IBS, most people showing symptoms may be unaware that the condition exists.
What Is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disorder of the gut. It often comes with either constipation or diarrhoea and sometimes the two alternate. Sufferers experience abdominal pain, bloating or discomfort and a change in bowel habit, without an obvious cause. IBS is called a syndrome because it involves different signs and symptoms which are all interrelated.
IBS is one of the most common digestive disorders. Nevertheless, this painful and often distressing condition can seriously impact the sufferer's quality of life.
IBS can start at any time, but frequently begins in early adulthood and comes and goes over the course of many years. It is thought that women are twice as likely as men to suffer from IBS and it is also more common in emotional and stressed people. It is estimated that somewhere between 10 and 20 per cent of the population suffer with IBS. The true incidence may be higher than this, because it is thought that many people with IBS symptoms do not seek medical advice.
On a positive note, there is no proven link between IBS and bowel damage or bowel cancer.
The ABCD of IBS
IBS is characterised by a range of interrelated symptoms. The most common are:
A Abdominal pain
Mostly occurring on the right-hand side and varying from mild to severe. These cramp-like pains come and go and are often relieved by a bowel movement.
B Bloating
A feeling of fullness in the abdomen, particularly after meals.
C Constipation (Constipation-predominant IBS)
Less frequent movements, straining during a bowel movement, hard, painful stools and feelings of incomplete evacuation. Often alternating with diarrhoea.
D Diarrhoea (Diarrhoea-predominant IBS)
Frequent, hard-to-control bowel movements and loose, watery stools. Often alternating with constipation.
Some women experience pain during intercourse as a result of IBS. Other symptoms include mucus in stools, nausea, a feeling of urgency in going to the toilet and the need to pass urine more often.
There are psychological symptoms, too, and IBS sufferers often feel anxious, tense, tired or lethargic. Read Living with IBS.
Symptoms NOT attributed to IBS are rectal bleeding (not due to haemorrhoids), unexplained sudden weight loss and chronic, painless diarrhoea.
The IBS Symptom Checklist will help you identify and build a list of your symptoms in preparation for your doctors visit.
| IBS | Constipation | |
| Chronic since late teens |  |
- |
| Hard, painful stools | * |
|
| Mucus in stools | * |
- |
| Straining during bowel movement | * |
|
| Bloating | |
* |
| Abdominal cramps | |
|
| Cramps relieved by defecation | |
|
| Diarrhoea | * |
- |
| Urgency to find toilet | * |
- |
| Less frequent bowel movement | * |
|
| More frequent bowel movement | * |
- |
| Feelings of incomplete evacuation | |
|
| Nausea | * |
- |
| Anxiety | * |
* |
| Painful intercourse (women) | * |
- |
*commonly but not always the case.
The above is intended as a rough guide to IBS and constipation symptoms. Remember, only a qualified practitioner can give a confirmed diagnosis.
IBS should always be diagnosed by a qualified medical practitioner, since the symptoms of IBS can resemble those of other bowel conditions.
If you are concerned about your health, consult your doctor.
What Causes IBS?
No-one can say with absolute certainty what causes IBS. Not that long ago, sufferers were told that IBS was just all in their heads. Thankfully, today, it is recognised by the medical community and research is being carried out as to its nature and causes.
What is known is that IBS results from a break in the regular rhythm of the muscles of the bowel wall. These muscles normally contract periodically to move food through the digestive system (peristalsis). IBS symptoms occur when this is disrupted. It is believed that these can be brought on by a number of triggers:
1) High-stress situations
Many sufferers date the start of IBS back to an event which had a great emotional impact on their lives, like a bereavement or a house move.
2) Lack of dietary fibre and excess of fatty food
High-fat, low-fibre diets can provoke bowel irregularities.
3) Intolerance to certain foods
Lactose, wheat and other food allergies trigger a reaction in the gut.
4) Female hormones
Many women report worse IBS symptoms during menstruation.
5) Medication
Certain painkillers, antibiotics, antacids and other medication can sometimes affect correct bowel function.
- IBS can have an big impact on your lifestyle - find out how to cope with IBS
- Going to see your GP about IBS can be embarrassing - find out what you need to prepare
- Find out how to relieve the symptoms of IBS
- Join a support group and talk to other sufferers - view our list of IBS support group links
- Not sure if you have IBS? Fill in our checklist to find out
