Let’s talk about IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a very common disorder that affects the large intestine. It’s a group of symptoms that occur together, including repeated pain in your abdomen and changes in your bowel movements, which may be diarrhea, constipation, or both. Canada has one of the highest prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the world – estimated 18% vs. 11% globally.

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10 min read

What exactly is IBS ?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder affecting the intestine. IBS involves problems with motility (movement of digested food through the intestines) and sensitivity (how the brain interprets signals from the intestinal nerves), leading to abdominal pain, changes in bowel patterns and other symptoms. 

There are different types of IBS which are worth noting:

IBS-C: with predominant constipation

Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation is a condition that can significantly impact the quality of life of those affected. Constipation occurs when digested food moves slowly through the digestive tract and as a result, stools become hard, dry, and difficult to pass.

IBS-D: with predominant diarrhea

Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea has diarrhea as the primary symptom. People with IBS-D experience frequent abdominal pain and watery bowel movements, and, on occasion, loss of bowel control. 

IBS-M: IBS Mixed

Irritable bowel syndrome with mixed bowel habits is just as the name suggests, neither diarrhea nor constipation is the predominant symptom. People with IBS-M experience both the symptoms of IBS-D and IBS-C.

What are the common symptoms of IBS ?

Everyone who suffers from IBS will experience it differently. In general, symptoms include:

CONSTIPATION AND DIARRHEA

Some people will usually get one or the other, but in some cases, people may have bouts of both.

BLOATING

Sometimes the stomach will bloat and swell up. Passing a bowel movement can partially relieve the pressure.

ABDOMINAL CRAMPS

These are caused by spasms in the digestive tract that can result in sharp pains in your gut.

EXCESS GAS

Many people with IBS feel gassy, with even small amounts of gas causing pain.

Tips and tricks to get relief

IBS is a chronic condition, but that doesn’t mean that your symptoms have to go untreated.

Seek help from your healthcare professional

If you are suffering from constipation and you have IBS, please seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Dulcolax® family of products

Occasional constipation is a common condition with a wide range of possible causes. We know how unpredictable and frustrating constipation can be, so we are here to help identify the possible causes and teach you how to address them.

  • Dulcolax® Soft Chews Kids

    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 4-11
    • Convenient format
    • Chewable
    • 15ct
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Naturally flavored

    Dulcolax® Soft Chews Kids help kids* to get fast and gentle constipation relief, so they can get back doing the things they love. This great-tasting chew works in as little as 30 minutes*, so parents can help their child with occasional constipation episodes. This laxative works by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools so kids can go comfortably. 

    *suitable for kids 4 to under 11 

    ** relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours.

    Dulcolax® Soft Chews

    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 12+
    • Convenient format
    • Chewable
    • 30ct
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Naturally flavored

    Dulcolax® Soft Chews provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for Dulcolax®Soft Chews.

    * relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours

    Dulcolax® Suppositories

    • Occasional constipation
    • Fast relief in 15 to 60 minutes
    • Suppositories
    • 12+ years old
    • Effective relief
    • 3ct
    • 6ct
    • 100ct

    Dulcolax® Suppositories are suitable for dependable, fast, and effective relief of occasional constipation. Dulcolax®Suppositories stimulate the bowel muscles while also accumulating water in the intestines. The effect is to soften the stool to make it pass through quickly. 

    Dulcolax® for Women

    • Occasional constipation
    • Overnight relief in 6 to 12 hours
    • Tablets
    • 12+ years old
    • Gentle relief
    • Effective relief
    • 25ct
    • 50ct

    Dulcolax® for Women are suitable for dependable and gentle overnight relief of occasional constipation.

    Dulcolax® Tablets

    • Occasional constipation
    • Overnight relief in 6 to 12 hours
    • Tablets
    • 6+ years old
    • Gentle relief
    • Effective relief
    • 10ct
    • 30ct
    • 60ct
    • 100ct

    Dulcolax® Tablets are suitable for dependable and effective overnight relief of occasional constipation.

    Discover all products

  • Dulcolax® Soft Chews Kids

    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 4-11
    • Convenient format
    • Chewable
    • 15ct
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Naturally flavored

    Dulcolax® Soft Chews Kids help kids* to get fast and gentle constipation relief, so they can get back doing the things they love. This great-tasting chew works in as little as 30 minutes*, so parents can help their child with occasional constipation episodes. This laxative works by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools so kids can go comfortably. 

    *suitable for kids 4 to under 11 

    ** relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours.

    Dulcolax® Soft Chews

    • Stimulant-free
    • Gentle and effective relief
    • Works in little as 30 mins to 6 hours
    • Ages 12+
    • Convenient format
    • Chewable
    • 30ct
    • Great-tasting
    • Gluten free
    • Naturally flavored

    Dulcolax® Soft Chews provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for Dulcolax®Soft Chews.

    * relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours

    Dulcolax® Suppositories

    • Occasional constipation
    • Fast relief in 15 to 60 minutes
    • Suppositories
    • 12+ years old
    • Effective relief
    • 3ct
    • 6ct
    • 100ct

    Dulcolax® Suppositories are suitable for dependable, fast, and effective relief of occasional constipation. Dulcolax®Suppositories stimulate the bowel muscles while also accumulating water in the intestines. The effect is to soften the stool to make it pass through quickly. 

    Discover all products

  • Dulcolax® for Women

    • Occasional constipation
    • Overnight relief in 6 to 12 hours
    • Tablets
    • 12+ years old
    • Gentle relief
    • Effective relief
    • 25ct
    • 50ct

    Dulcolax® for Women are suitable for dependable and gentle overnight relief of occasional constipation.

    Dulcolax® Tablets

    • Occasional constipation
    • Overnight relief in 6 to 12 hours
    • Tablets
    • 6+ years old
    • Gentle relief
    • Effective relief
    • 10ct
    • 30ct
    • 60ct
    • 100ct

    Dulcolax® Tablets are suitable for dependable and effective overnight relief of occasional constipation.

    Discover all products

Stay informed

Occasional constipation is a common condition with a wide range of possible causes. We know how unpredictable and frustrating constipation can be, so we are here to help identify the possible causes and teach you how to address them.

What are daily habits that can cause occasional constipation ?

Everything is connected and we mean this literally: our body, mind and habits can greatly affect our digestive health. Your daily habits, from the foods you eat to your daily activity level and sleep schedule can affect your bowel movements and the result may be that you get constipated. Fear not, making simple changes to your lifestyle habits can be a helpful first step in preventing occasional constipation.

How to avoid occasional constipation while traveling ?

It is common for constipation to occur when your life or daily routine changes. Traveling can sometimes trigger changes to your digestive system and as a result your bowel movements. Adapting to new circadian rhythms, new foods and new environments can trigger occasional constipation. Jet lag can also disrupt travelers for several days.

How is constipation related to stress ?

Healthy mind, healthy body – isn’t that what they say ? The brain-gut connection is real: our digestive system is highly impacted by our mind and our stress levels. Whether you’re experiencing stress at work, at home, or in your daily life, it can all impact your bowel movements and lead to occasional constipation.

How can getting older cause constipation ?

About one-third of adults 60 years or older report suffering from constipation. Unfortunately, with age sometimes comes slower digestion. The bowel muscles in the digestive tract need a bit more time to move food and stool through the intestines. The resulting constipation is a commonly reported bowel symptom in the elderly and has a considerable impact on quality of life. It is important to understand how age can change your body and how to adapt to help yourself feel better.

Occasional constipation during pregnancy

During pregnancy, there is a lot going on, to say the least. The new hormone levels can trigger many changes in the body. Pregnant women frequently suffer from difficult and infrequent bowel movements, hard and dry stools, and discomfort. 

Constipation as a side effect of medication

Medications affect your digestive system in a variety of ways. Some affect the central nervous system and muscle function in the bowel, while others affect water absorption in your stools. In fact, constipation is a common side effect of both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

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