IBS and Chronic Constipation
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic constipation are 2 of the most prevalent conditions seen in primary care practices and are among the most common indications for a referral to a gastroenterologist in the United States. IBS is a common disorder of the intestines, and may be described as a functional bowel disease in which altered motility, abnormal visceral sensation, and psychosocial factors all interact to produce characteristic symptoms. In particular, there is overlap in the symptoms reported by patients with IBS with a predominant bowel symptom of constipation and those with chronic constipation, making it challenging for the physician to differentiate between these 2 disorders.
What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not permanently harm the intestines and does not lead to a serious disease, such as cancer. Most people can control their symptoms with diet, stress management, and prescribed medications. For some people, however, IBS can be disabling. They may be unable to work, attend social events, or even travel short distances.
As many as 20 percent of the adult population, or one in five Americans, have symptoms of IBS, making it one of the most common disorders diagnosed by doctors. It occurs more often in women than in men, and it begins before the age of 35 in about 50 percent of people.
Chronic Constipation
Constipation is a common symptom where a person has difficulty passing feces or unusually dry stool. Note that dry stool is medically considered within the spectrum of “constipation”, although many people will use the term constipation only when stool dryness or hardness actually causes difficulty passing stool. Straining at stool is called “tenesmus”; see also bowel infrequency.
Constipation is common in children and older age, but can affect anyone. Since everyone has difficult bowel patterns, and not everyone passes one stool per day, exactly who qualifies for the diagnosis of “constipated” is not always clear. About 2% of the population suffers from chronic constipation. Various conditions can cause constipation ranging from poor diet, aging, pregnancy, irritable bowel syndrome, and numerous other underlying conditions for constipation. Constipation can also cause diarrhea leading to misdiagnosis. Various medications can cause constipation including overuse of laxatives that can cause a vicious cycle of constipation. Although constipation is not usually caused by a serious disease, professional medical advice is necessary to rule them out.
