What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)?
IBS-C is defined as belly pain (abdominal pain) or discomfort associated with constipation. The symptoms of IBS-C are long-lasting and keep coming back. Those suffering from IBS-C also have hard or lumpy stools at least 25% of the time, and loose or watery stools less than 25% of the time.
IBS can be uncomfortable. But it does not lead to serious disease, such as cancer. It also does not permanently harm the large intestine (colon).
Most people with IBS can ease symptoms with changes in diet, medicine, and stress relief. For some people, IBS symptoms are more severe. They may get in the way of going to work or traveling, even traveling short distances.
How to Prevent IBS-C from happening
- Stop Using Artificial Means of Pooping
Your brain and body are always learning based on the stimuli they come into contact with. If you’re regularly using enemas or laxatives to poop, your body is going to start expecting and depending on them. Each time you use one of these methods, you are strengthening a neural pathway that says “you cannot poop on your own” (there are extreme exceptions like going longer than 4 days without a bowel movement, but do what you can to stop the dependence). Stop using these helpers and give your body the chance to do its business.
- Remove the Food Triggers of Constipation
Diarrhea gets most of the press when it comes to food reactions and food allergies, but people with IBS-C can have the exact same problems with a different symptom. Again, this is not totally understood, but for some people dairy and gluten trigger diarrhea and others they trigger constipation. Most people with IBS-C will see improvements if they eliminate the most common food allergens from their diets: wheat, corn, egg and dairy.
