Constipation and fatigue frequently occur together. A wide variety of conditions can cause these symptoms. The list includes many treatable conditions. However, the two symptoms can sometimes indicate a more serious problem.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a symptom-based disorder of gut-brain interactions generating abdominal pain. It is also associated with a vulnerability to develop extraintestinal symptoms, with fatigue often reported as one of the most disturbing.
Lazy bowel syndrome, also known as slow transit constipation (STC), is a condition characterized by the slow movement of waste through the digestive system, primarily due to reduced motility of the large intestine. It is a type of functional constipation, or constipation without a clear cause.
If you have IBS you may also experience fatigue. In fact around 60% of people with IBS experience extreme exhaustion, and fatigue is the third most common non-digestive complaint. This is more than just tiredness, it's feeling weak, ill and completely lacking in energy, and it's something I see in my clients a lot.
“Like IBS, people with IBD can suffer from diarrhoea and abdominal pain but the red flags we look out for are blood in the stool, unintentional weight loss, waking up in the middle of the night with pain or needing to go to the toilet urgently and unexplained mineral and vitamin deficiencies.
Symptoms range from slow motility, which causes symptoms like constipation, bloating and abdominal pain, to diarrhea. Diarrhea is more likely to occur if there is also bacterial overgrowth in the small bowel.
Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12® is an extensively researched probiotic strain shown to be effective for those with sluggish bowels.
Whether it's running, swimming, cycling, or dancing, a cardio workout will increase your breathing, boost your heart rate, and stimulate your bowels. Even if you don't feel up to a full-on workout, just going for a brisk 30-minute walk can do wonders for your digestive system.
If you are already fit, you might choose aerobic exercise: running, jogging, swimming, or swing dancing, for example. All of these exercises can help keep the digestive tract healthy. Stretching may also help ease constipation, and yoga may, too.
Colchicine and misoprostol have both been shown to increase stool frequency and colonic transit. Erythromycin, a motilin receptor agonist, can also stimulate colonic motility. Prucalopride and tegaserod, both 5HT4 receptor agonists, increase colonic transit and improve symptoms in constipated patients.
Steps in Bowel Retraining
Sit on the toilet for a fixed amount of time usually about 15 minutes. It's preferable to do this 10 to 20 minutes after a meal with coffee. If you do not have a bowel movement in that amount of time just get up and go about your regular activities. Do not strain to have a bowel movement.
Many studies have shown that psyllium helps adults with constipation by increasing both the water content of stool and bowel movement frequency ( 11 ). Other fiber supplements, including inulin and glucomannan, may also help treat constipation.
Surprisingly, IBS has also been associated with mental issues like fatigue, brain fog, and an inability to focus. It can also be associated with joint pain. While not a serious illness, it can be quite interruptive and requires attention to help reduce the symptoms.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system. It causes symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. These tend to come and go over time, and can last for days, weeks or months at a time. It's usually a lifelong problem.
We propose that chronic low-grade inflammation induces and/or maintains persistent fatigue by inducing an imbalance between cellular-energy availability and cellular- and behavioral-energy expenditure (Figure 1). Inflammation increases the need of immune cells for rapid generation of cellular energy.
Can a colonoscopy detect IBS? No, a colonoscopy can't detect IBS, a condition also known as irritable bowel syndrome. You may wonder why a colonoscopy can't detect IBS when it can diagnose the IBD conditions we outlined earlier. IBS is different from IBD.
The most common symptoms of IBS are: abdominal (stomach) pain and cramping, which may be relieved by moving your bowels. a change in your bowel habits – such as diarrhoea, constipation or sometimes both. bloating and swelling of your stomach.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a particularly common misdiagnosis as it may be confused with a range of diseases and disorders, including irritable bowel diseases, celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, anxiety, depression, and stomach or colon cancer.
A diet that emphasizes natural, unprocessed fruit and vegetables can kick-start digestion and help make you more regular unless you have IBS, gastroparesis or other chronic gastrointestinal condition. Good sources of fiber include: almonds and almond milk. prunes, figs, apples, and bananas.
Drink plenty of liquids; eat lots of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink warm liquids to help your bowels move. You may take a laxative or stool softener if you need it. Avoid gas-producing foods such as asparagus, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, prunes, pears and beans.