Constipation and IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (or IBS as it is known for short) affects over 20% people living in the United Kingdom. It is also widespread in many other parts of Europe and also in North America.

There are a number of unpleasant symptoms associated with the condition including constipation. If you are an IBS sufferer and find that regular constipation is part of your IBS then it may be worth looking at your daily meal patterns.

Like many busy people you may find that and go for long periods during the day without eating and drinking, perhaps without even realising that this the case. If this is so, then you might find that adopting a more regular eating pattern could help you towards a more regular bowel habit.

For example, skipping breakfast could mean that your bowels are missing the important reflex triggered by the first meal of the day. Furthermore, a frequent intake of fluids, especially water, helps the contents of the bowel to stay soft which makes them easier to empty. After all, passing a rock solid stool can be very difficult as well as extremely painful. In some severe cases, this can even cause tearing of the anal tissue and resulting in bleeding.

Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day and try not to skip breakfast. If you don?t have time to eat a proper breakfast before leaving home in the morning, you might want to think of taking something to eat with you on your way to work.

Increasing fibre in the diet has long been hailed as the way to improve constipation in cases of IBS. Bran fibre and wholemeal bread in particular are popular recommendations, but they can in fact aggravate and worsen the symptoms of IBS.

However, the fibre found in fresh fruit and vegetables can be extremely helpful. Combining a diet rich in fruit and vegetables with the previous recommendations can go a long way to relieve and reduce the effects of constipation in IBS.

Elizabeth Harfleet is the author of a new book entitled ?IBS Secrets Most Doctors Won?t Know!?. It provides long awaited answers to questions about how to relieve the unpleasant symptoms of IBS.