Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: IBS-C newbie needs support!

You should definitely search around, and also check out Heather's newsletters about constipation (under "IBS News & Reviews" at the top of the page). But here are my oft-posted IBS-C guidelines:

1. You need IF. Every dang meal. Of course, you need SF with every meal too - the key is a little of both. Vegetables and fruit are safer sources than whole grains, and of course you can cook/chop/puree them into submission if you're worried about cramping. Just keep increasing your IF until you feel better.

2. Fluids are key. You want to be drinking all day long and get a minimum of 64 oz per day. Peppermint tea is wonderful to ease cramping, and warm fluids in general tend to "get you going".

3. Exercise every day. If you're going through a C period, try to increase the intensity. But even a daily 30 minute walk will encourage your colon to do its job.

Really, the only difference between how you handle D and how you handle C is that us C folks need to be enthusiastic eaters of IF (because Heather's diet makes us eat SF, which will cushion it for us) and dedicated exercisers.

--AC

Print Remind Me Notify Moderator