To minimise constipation in IBS-C, you should:
- take in plenty of water,
- do regular exercise and
- increase intake of fibre.
These basic steps should also help to relieve constipation for most people without IBS. In IBS-C, external factors such as stress, poor sleeping pattern and frequent jet lag may affect your bowel movement and worsen your constipation. As such, staying positive and avoiding such triggers should help.
Besides the above dietary adjustments, avoiding too much iron or calcium supplements may also help to prevent constipation. A trial of probiotics may be useful for some people while others derive benefit from regular coffee drinking. Simple over the counter remedy such as lactulose may also help to soften your stools.
In more severe cases of constipation, you may require the help of a specialist familiar with managing IBS. Please note that recent onset of constipation or bowel habit change may indicate other problems. If your constipation is not better with the above measures, it is time for you to pay your family doctor a visit.
