Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Complicated Question about IBS-C

Hi - That piece of information in Eating for IBS actually came from Dr. Ted Bayless at Johns Hopkins. I was on a PBS news show in Maryland with him and he talked about the colon "seizing up" as a result of IBS spasms. This clearly explained something I'd been wondering about - how insoluble fiber and other triggers that stimulate the muscle contractions of the colon could cause constipation as well as diarrhea. The diarrhea aspect seemed obvious - if you have a lot of sudden, violent spasms of the colon, matter will be rushed through too quickly and diarrhea (not to mention cramps) will result.

However, it would then seem likely that insoluble fiber would help, not hurt, IBS constipation, as things are speeding up and moving along. BUT - if those muscle contractions are too strong and sustained (and this muscle function is exactly what goes awry in IBS), you can end up with a type of "charley horse" of the colon. The muscles are simply seizing up like a clenched fist, and colonic motility comes to a standstill. Constipation is the result (and painful cramps as well) until those muscles finally relax back into a normal state.

So, as paradoxical as it sounds, insoluble fiber and other GI tract stimulants can actually cause constipation for IBS folks as well as diarrhea. Soluble fiber is the magic key here - it will gently stabilize the GI contractions and get everything moving through at a normal rate, with a normal water level, thus relieving both constipation and diarrhea.

- Heather

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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!

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