IBS-C- More Than Constipation

If you’re not an IBS sufferer and hear IBS-C, irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, you may just think that IBS-C patients may have a little more constipation than others. Chronic constipation when you’re dealing with IBS-C is much more than not being able to go to the bathroom.

IBS-Constipation causes nausea and headaches

When I start getting a flare up from IBS, usually from something I ate that didn’t agree with me, I start getting really nauseous. I literally feel like all that food that is trapped in my body is going to finally push it’s way out the wrong end, and then room starts spinning. This leads to pulsing headaches, and sometimes, vomiting does occur. This usually lasts until I can have a bowel movement. The feeling of not being able to eliminate is debilitating, and causes even more side effects.

Bloating

IBS causes bloating, and when you are constipated, it makes matters worse. Sometimes, I’m just bloated from having IBS, but when I’m also constipated, the bloating and distention is the most uncomfortable feeling. This is when the elastic waistband pants come out, and I literally don’t feel like doing anything except lying down with a heating pad on my lower abdomen. Which brings me to the next thing IBS-C does besides giving you constipation.

Fatigue

Do you know that feeling when you do finally eliminate and your mind clears, and you feel light as a feather? Yeah, me either, Haha! But seriously, when this happens, you also have more energy. When you’re constipated, you’re literally carrying around built up sludge in your body. This can weigh you down, literally. Chronic fatigue and constipation go hand in hand. I see a major difference in my energy levels when I’m not constipated than when I am, which unfortunately, is not often.

Acne

Do you often get breakouts on your forehead and hairline? This may be a sign of constipation and an overall poor digestive system. According to traditional Chinese Medicine’s Acne Face Map, this may be a telltale sign that you’re constipated. If pimples start popping up on your forehead, try increasing water intake to increase the elimination of toxins from your body.

Bad breath

As if being nauseas, bloated, tired, and having a headache and acne wasn’t bad enough, constipation can cause bad breath. Gross, I know. It’s really an amazing phenomenon. My husband will make a comment about my bad breath, and it’s ALWAYS when I am very constipated. Why does your breath start to smell when you’re constipated? Constipation causes an accumulation of undigested food in the bowels. I think of it like a broken garbage disposal. If food sat in the disposal for days without running and being disposed of, it would start to smell really bad.

As you can see, IBS-C is much more than just constipation. As if stomach pain from constipation wasn’t enough, there is a laundry list of other symptoms. What symptoms do you experience from IBS-C other than constipation?