Constipation is one of the major characteristics related to IBS. There are several reasons why constipation may be occurring, which is either part of the syndrome itself or can be due to a different problem. Knowing whether constipation is a result of IBS is important to determine immediately after the symptoms begin to occur. This will help you obtain the correct treatments to put your digestive tract back in place.
Knowing why you have constipation and its cause are the first step in determining whether it is related to IBS or not. For example, constipation may be a result of not having the right amounts of certain foods in your diet. You can change this by adding fiber and liquids to your diet. Exercise is also known to help with relieving constipation. Beyond this, are several other factors that may be causing constipation and problems with your digestive tract.
Serious illnesses may be the cause of constipation, which are not directly linked to IBS. Diabetes, for example, can cause problems in the digestive tract. There may also be more serious problems and diseases that are directly related to your colon. Things such as colonic strictures are common in causing constipation. You should always consult with your doctor to make sure that you do not have one of these more serious diseases.
IBS related constipation will occur as a result of the nerves and muscles not obtaining the right control. This will then cause an imbalance in the straining and releasing of the intestine and colon area. If you have had certain symptoms for twelve or more weeks out of the year, it will be defined as IBS. There are several symptoms used to determine whether this is related to IBS. This will include the types of bowel movements that are used to complete the digestive process. These will be different than what is known as functional constipation.
IBS constipation will differ from functional constipation in several factors. At first, it may be accompanied by abdominal pain. Depending on the individual, it may also include problems with diarrhea as well. One type of symptom may be dominant over the other, or both may be equal problems. The appearance and frequency of the stool will also differ from functioning constipation. With IBS, you will feel relieved after complete digestion, while functioning constipation will not have the same result. If you are unsure whether your digestion is abnormal due to IBS, a doctor can perform tests to establish the cause.
Knowing whether the problems with your digestive tract are related to IBS or another syndrome is important when finding a cure for the problem. There are several ways that you can define whether constipation is related to IBS. If it doesn�t have the certain characteristics, then it could be the cause of a different type of syndrome or problem. This, as well, should be examined by a doctor in the fist instance to ensure that the appropriate treatment is provided to help relieve the problem.