UNDERSTANDING IBS‑C
IBS‑C is a common condition in which patients experience constipation along with other belly symptoms.
Sound familiar?
Constipation symptoms of IBS‑C may include
Constipation symptoms of IBS‑C may include
- Infrequent bowel movements (fewer than 3 per week)
- Hard or lumpy stools Take a closer look at stool types
- Straining to go to the bathroom
- Feeling that your bowels do not empty completely
Belly symptoms of IBS‑C may include
Belly symptoms of IBS‑C may include
- Pain
- Bloating
- Discomfort
BRISTOL STOOL CHART
CONSTIPATION
Separate hard lumps
Lumpy and sausage like
NORMAL
A sausage shape with cracks in the surface
Like a smooth, soft sausage or snake
Soft blobs with
clear-cut edges
DIARRHEA
Mushy consistency with ragged edges
Liquid consistency with no solid pieces
CONSTIPATION
DIARRHEA
CONSTIPATION
DIARRHEA
Adapted from original © 2000 Rome Foundation. Used with permission.
IBS-Check-in: Could IBSRELA be right for you?
Don't be okay with feeling just okay. If you continue to have IBS‑C symptoms that bother you, talk to your healthcare provider. Use this interactive tool to answer questions about your IBS‑C symptoms so you and your healthcare provider can discuss your medication options.
Check my symptoms
What are the causes of IBS‑C?
There are many different causes of IBS‑C:
Slow stool movement (or slow motility)
Leaky gut (or increased intestinal permeability)
Sensitive nerves (or visceral hypersensitivity)
Gut-brain interaction
When stool moves through the gut too slowly. Cars normally ride along at the speed limit. Stool is supposed to move through your gut in the same way. If you have IBS‑C, though, stool can move through your gut way under the speed limit.
When the gut allows more than just water and nutrients (such as unwanted particles or toxins) through the intestinal barrier and into the bloodstream. Window screens do a great job keeping bugs and other pests out of the house. If there are holes in the screens, though, the pests can get through. The protective barrier in your intestines, or gut, works the same way. If that protective barrier weakens, toxins can get through to your bloodstream.
When the nerves in the intestines are extra sensitive, normal stimuli may cause increased belly pain. Dogs’ ears are a lot more sensitive than ours. They can be bothered by noises we can’t even hear. If you have IBS‑C, the nerves in your intestine can be just as sensitive. Things that other people don’t feel at all can cause you pain and discomfort.
The gut and brain talk to each other, so changes in one can cause changes in the other. The gut and brain are connected like a two-way street. In fact, the gut is sometimes called “the second brain,” because it has its own nervous system. Your “two brains” can send messages back and forth to each other. So when your gut is unhappy, it makes sense that you are, too.
There is no one-size-fits-all medication for IBS-C. That’s why it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider about how you are feeling and about available IBS-C medication options.
What are the causes of IBS‑C?
There are many different causes of IBS‑C:
Slow stool movement (or slow motility)
When stool moves through the gut too slowly. Cars normally ride along at the speed limit. Stool is supposed to move through your gut in the same way. If you have IBS‑C, though, stool can move through your gut way under the speed limit.
Leaky gut (or increased intestinal permeability)
When the gut allows more than just water and nutrients (such as unwanted particles or toxins) through the intestinal barrier and into the bloodstream. Window screens do a great job keeping bugs and other pests out of the house. If there are holes in the screens, though, the pests can get through. The protective barrier in your intestines, or gut, works the same way. If that protective barrier weakens, toxins can get through to your bloodstream.
Sensitive nerves (or visceral hypersensitivity)
When the nerves in the intestines are extra sensitive, normal stimuli may cause increased belly pain. Dogs’ ears are a lot more sensitive than ours. They can be bothered by noises we can’t even hear. If you have IBS‑C, the nerves in your intestine can be just as sensitive. Things that other people don’t feel at all can cause you pain and discomfort.
Gut-brain interaction
The gut and brain talk to each other, so changes in one can cause changes in the other. The gut and brain are connected like a two-way street. In fact, the gut is sometimes called “the second brain,” because it has its own nervous system. Your “two brains” can send messages back and forth to each other. So when your gut is unhappy, it makes sense that you are, too.
There is no one-size-fits-all medication for IBS-C. That’s why it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider about how you are feeling and about available IBS-C medication options.
THE IBS-CONNECTION
The Impact of IBS‑C on Regina’s Everyday Life
Regina's IBS‑C symptoms caused her to miss important events, impacting her relationships with friends and family.*
*Individual results and experiences may vary.
Regina is an actual patient taking IBSRELA and has been compensated for discussing her experience.
View transcript
ON SCREEN/SUPER: The impact of IBS-C on Regina’s everyday life before finding the treatment that was right for her
Regina VO:
My IBS-C has impacted my relationships physically and mentally.
IBS-C has impacted my relationships by basically putting a huge strain on my social life. It has affected me physically. I have been in so much pain that when my children were small, there were many things I had to miss out on...I have had to miss out on family functions, some friends when I tell them that I can’t go, that I’m not feeling well, and I have to say that a lot…after a while, they just get very frustrated and they just stop calling. You know, it’s very easy for someone to say, oh, you know what, just take a pill. Just, you know, take something over the counter. But it doesn’t work that way.
The Impact of IBS‑C is real
“
My IBS‑C symptoms caused me to miss so many important events in my life, including celebrating my grandpa’s 90th birthday. I missed going out with my friends, my family.… I felt like I was missing out on life.”
– Alex, IBS‑C patient
SEE HOW PATIENTS DESCRIBE THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH IBS‑C
Check out the results of a survey that was conducted in partnership with the IBS Patient Support Group to understand other patients’ experiences living with IBS‑C
IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION
- Do not give IBSRELA to children who are less than 6 years of age. It may harm them.
- You should not give IBSRELA to patients 6 years to less than 18 years of age. It may harm them. IBSRELA can cause severe diarrhea and your child could get severe dehydration (loss of a large amount of body water and salt).
- Do not take IBSRELA if a doctor has told you that you have a bowel blockage (intestinal obstruction).
Before you take IBSRELA, tell your doctor about your medical conditions, including if you are:
- Pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if IBSRELA will harm your unborn baby.
- Breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if IBSRELA passes into your breast milk. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take IBSRELA.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
Side Effects
Diarrhea is the most common side effect of IBSRELA, and it can sometimes be severe. Stop taking IBSRELA and call your doctor if you develop severe diarrhea.
Other common side effects of IBSRELA include swelling, or a feeling of fullness or pressure in your abdomen (distension), gas (flatulence), or dizziness.
These are not all the possible side effects of IBSRELA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to www.fda.gov/medwatch.
What is IBSRELA?
IBSRELA (tenapanor) is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). It is not known if IBSRELA is safe and effective in children less than 18 years of age.
Please also see Medication Guide within the full Prescribing Information.
You are now leaving IBSRELA.com
This link will take you to a site maintained by a third party, who is solely responsible for its contents. Ardelyx, Inc., provides these links as a service to our website visitors. Ardelyx Inc., is not responsible for the content or Privacy Policy of any third-party websites. We encourage you to read the Privacy Policy of every website you visit.
IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION
- Do not give IBSRELA to children who are less than 6 years of age. It may harm them.
- You should not give IBSRELA to patients 6 years to less than 18 years of age. It may harm them. IBSRELA can cause severe diarrhea and your child could get severe dehydration (loss of a large amount of body water and salt).
- Do not take IBSRELA if a doctor has told you that you have a bowel blockage (intestinal obstruction).
Before you take IBSRELA, tell your doctor about your medical conditions, including if you are:
- Pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if IBSRELA will harm your unborn baby.
- Breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if IBSRELA passes into your breast milk. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take IBSRELA.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
Side Effects
Diarrhea is the most common side effect of IBSRELA, and it can sometimes be severe. Stop taking IBSRELA and call your doctor if you develop severe diarrhea.
Other common side effects of IBSRELA include swelling, or a feeling of fullness or pressure in your abdomen (distension), gas (flatulence), or dizziness.
These are not all the possible side effects of IBSRELA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to www.fda.gov/medwatch.
What is IBSRELA?
IBSRELA (tenapanor) is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). It is not known if IBSRELA is safe and effective in children less than 18 years of age.
Please also see Medication Guide within the full Prescribing Information.
