Constipation as a cause of IBS

Constipation is a major problem in the Western world with millions of dollars being spent each year on laxatives. It is obviously a major medical problem and believe it or not there is still considerable disagreements as to exactly what the term constipation actually means. For some, constipation simply means going to the toilet less frequently, some doctors have suggested that a practical definition of constipation should be the passage of less than three stools per week.

If we follow the definition of constipation as less than three bowel movements per week + 2 or more of the following symptoms for at least 12 weeks in 12 months;

• Straining
• lumpy or hard stools
• sensation of incomplete evacuation
• sensation of blockage of the bowels
• manually assisting bowel evacuation

Surprisingly, urgent diarrhoea may be the result of underlying constipation and treatment of this diarrhoea with anti-diarrhoea drugs will obviously only make the problem worse. In most cases of constipation and the extended bowel can actually be felt externally when the abdomen is examined. Scientifically, constipation is evaluated in two ways, firstly by measurement of the time it takes food to pass through the body (whole gut transit time) which in any case should be less than 70 hours, and by measuring the weight of the stool. To determine the actual TRANSIT time patients are asked to swallow special markers that show up on x-rays. A specific number of these markers are sold each day and then x-rays are taken at timed intervals to view the position in the intestine, from these measurements exact TRANSIT time as calculated. Faecal weighing simply involves collecting stools passed over a 24-hour period and winning them. The average time for the passage of undigested food residue through the guts is around 50 hours from men and 57 hours for women. But it can range from twenty to a hundred hours in many patients. Most of this transit time is spent passing along the large intestine.

Lumpy or hard stools are hard to pass and often require straining, whereas very loose or liquid stools can be too easy to pass and need reduce accidents, the ideal stool should be soft and sausage like in shape. Number 3 or 4 on scale shown below. The shape and type of stool is the easiest and most reliable indicator of whole gut transit time.

Related articles

• Bowel Problems ~ Symptoms Diagnosis by a Doctor (healthhype.com)
• Treating Constipation By Natural Means (healthlifestyleforever.com)
• You Asked: I “Go” To the Bathroom Every Few Days – Is This Normal? (fitsugar.com)