How to tell if you are having constipation?

Hi

I had always wanted to write this article. It is not the best of topics but for an IBS sufferer, constipation is a very hot topic especially when one is suffering from IBS-C.

For an IBS sufferer, getting to go for bowel movements satisfactorily can mean a good day or a bad day.

So how do you know if you have constipation? Well, the worst scenario is when you really cannot have any bowel movement. But did you know there are different degrees of constipation? You may have bowel movement after some effort on your part but you also could be suffering from mild constipation. So, if you are aware that you may be suffering mild constipation, then you can take some precautionary effort for the next day today.

One way of telling if you have constipation is by looking at your stools. I wanted to describe it until I stumbled upon a chart from University of Bristol and they have developed a stool chart which is pretty accurate. I reproduce the picture over here.



Type 1 means you are already having pretty bad constipation and Type 7 means you are having a bad diarrhea. I like to add one more level for IBS sufferers : Type 0 means 'not comes out'. This is very common for IBS-C sufferers and all IBS-C would like to avoid those bad days

So as an IBS sufferer you should avoid the extreme ends.

regards
Terry

IBS relief