Constipation: A Common Part of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

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Defined Tag: Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms 2.

Constipation is a subjective abdominal disorder among many people. For some, it only means hard stool, while for others it is correlated with infrequent stools. Others still view it as straining of stool or a general sensation of incomplete emptying following a bowel movement. On the extreme condition which is considered a rare case is the fecal impaction or the state wherein the stool hardens which then prevents the passage of stools.

These types of constipation are said to have various roots, which therefore require different forms of treatment.

Constipation normally alternates with diarrhea to a person who has Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

There is no fixed number of bowel movements each week that must be done to be able to maintain a healthy intestinal tract. Three times a day to one regular bowel movement a day is normal. But in general, as people age their bowel movement decreases in number.

Nearly one hundred percent of adults have bowel movements of 21 times per week. Most people though have a common pattern of one bowel movement per day. However, this is documented in less than fifty percent of the general population. Most people have regular bowel movements and are seen to have no similar number of bowel movements everyday.

Technically, constipation is diagnosed when a person has lesser than three bowel movements per week. Having one per week is already considered severe. There is no medical explanation as to why most people have a regular bowel movement each day and having no bowel movement in three consecutive days does not project any serious physical discomfort. Only, some people undergo mental distress. Moreover, there is no sign that humans accumulate intestinal toxins after days of infrequent bowel movements. It is not also linked to the development of cancer.

Chronic constipation is normally associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome which requires no immediate treatment since it does not involve worrisome inflammation of the abdominal lining which often cause rectal bleeding and a number of other symptoms.

While we may not know exactly how Irritable Bowel Syndrome occurs, the contribution of research on the main causes and the true nature of constipation give us ideas as to how we can atleast resolve the symptoms.

Bowel movements are subjected to voluntary control. That means it is under the somatic nervous system, which controls the voluntary activities humans do. It is therefore important to note that constipation may be a product of frequently suppressing the urge to defecate. This action will then lessen the urge for a person to exercise bowel movements.

Diet can also affect the activities in the intestinal tract. This is why we often hear people suggesting of changing daily food intake when seen with the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Fiber from fruits and vegetables proves useful in creating bulky and soft stool, which can aid in facilitating easier bowel movement.

The recommended intake of fiber is five to six servings of natural sources a day. However, for those who do not respond to this can be helped by supplementary fibers.

Laxatives are also known to cause constipation. Chronic use of various stimulant laxatives has been associated with damages in the colon and intestinal muscles. It is not clear though if it is the laxative that causes the damage or the damage is already present prior to the use of laxatives, which itself caused the use. Nonetheless, due to high possibilities, laxative is only used as a last resort to treating constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.

Treatment for one symptom of a syndrome, in this case constipation, can lead us to further treating the whole condition.