Understanding Constipation
Symptoms & Types
Types of Constipation
The Difference Between Occasional & Chronic Constipation
Occasional Constipation
Sudden or short periods of difficult,
infrequent, or incomplete bowel
movements
Chronic Constipation
A medical condition with constipation symptoms that:
- Keep coming back
- Seem to last for a long time, more than 3 months
What Could Small,
Hard Stools Mean?
The Bristol Stool Form Scale makes it easier to understand and talk about stools (poop). The scale helps assess how long stools have been in the bowel by assigning them a number based on their size, shape, and consistency.
IBS-C & CIC
Your constipation could be chronic, not occasional
If you’re experiencing constipation symptoms again and again, you’re not alone. IBS-C (Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation) and CIC (Chronic Idiopathic Constipation) are two types of chronic constipation. “Idiopathic” means the cause is unknown.
While estimates vary, nearly 11.5 million
adults in the U.S. suffer from IBS-C.*
While estimates vary, as many as 28.5 million
adults in the U.S. suffer from CIC.*
*Estimated IBS-C/CIC sufferers within the U.S. through Kantar LINZESS Tracking Study; Jan-Dec 2020; general population sample only.
Get Some Clarity About Constipation
Many people spend years dealing with constipation before getting a diagnosis. See what helped three real people with constipation get some clarity about their gut issues.
IBS-C & CIC Symptoms & Causes Comparison
IBS-C
CIC
Symptoms
CONSTIPATION
Lumpy or hard stools
Incomplete bowel movements
<3 bowel movements a week
Abdominal (belly) pain
Discomfort
Bloating
CONSTIPATION
Lumpy or hard stools
Incomplete bowel movements
<3 bowel movements a week
Causes
The cause of IBS-C is unknown, but researchers believe several factors may contribute to the condition.
Fluid absorption: the colon may be absorbing too much fluid from stools, or the muscles in the colon may be moving too slowly. This can cause stools to become dry, hard, and difficult to pass.
Nerve sensitivity: the nerves in the intestines may be extra sensitive, causing sufferers to feel more belly pain or discomfort than those who do not have IBS‑C.
Brain-bowel connection: there could be a miscommunication between the brain and the bowel (gut) that causes a change in bowel movements.
Researchers believe several factors may contribute to the development of CIC.
Fluid absorption: the colon may be absorbing too much fluid from stools, or the muscles in the colon may be moving too slowly. This can cause stools to become dry, hard, and difficult to pass.
Nerve sensitivity: some patients have less nerve sensitivity, which may reduce the urge to have a bowel movement. Other patients may have extra-sensitive nerves, which can cause discomfort.
Muscle contractions: the muscles of the colon may be contracting too slowly, which can reduce the movement of stool through the colon and cause infrequent stools.
How Do Doctors Diagnose
IBS-C & CIC?
Dr. Susan Lucak, a gastroenterologist who practices in New York City, explains
what she looks for and how she helps her patients with IBS-C and CIC.
Could It Be More Than Occasional Constipation?
Answer 5 quick questions to learn about IBS-C and CIC to prepare for your appointment.
Constipation Treatment Options
Types of Treatments & When to consider a Prescription
When you’re experiencing constipation, your initial reaction might be to grab an over-the-counter treatment from the pharmacy aisle. But if your symptoms keep coming back and you don’t know why, it could be a chronic medical condition. You may want to talk to your doctor about a daily prescription treatment.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Over-the-counter medications for occasional constipation may include:
- Laxatives (like MiraLAX®, Phillips’® Milk of Magnesia, or Dulcolax®)
- Fiber products (such as Metamucil®)
- Stool softeners (like Colace®)
These treatments may provide relief for occasional constipation, but should not be taken for longer than 1 week unless directed by a doctor.
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Prescription Medications
If you have more than occasional constipation, you may want to talk to a doctor about prescription options like LINZESS.
- LINZESS is a once-daily prescription treatment for adults with IBS-C or CIC.
- LINZESS helps you have more frequent and complete bowel movements and helps relieve belly pain and overall abdominal symptoms† (pain, discomfort, and bloating) associated with IBS-C.
†Abdominal symptoms were studied in combination, not individually.
Pediatric Functional Constipation
Help Relieve Your Child's Functional Constipation
(Ages 6–17 Years)
If your child has been struggling to go to the bathroom regularly or suffering from difficult bowel movements, it may be a sign they have a medical condition known as functional constipation.
It may be time to talk to a doctor about LINZESS, the first and only prescription medicine approved for functional constipation in children and adolescents
6–17 years old.
How Does LINZESS Help with Functional Constipation?
- Managing infrequent bowel movements
- This was seen in a clinical study of patients
6–17 years of age with functional constipation
What is LINZESS?
- Not a laxative
- In a different category of drugs than over-the-counter laxatives
- The first and only FDA-approved prescription treatment for pediatric functional constipation
If your child has functional constipation, your child’s doctor can prescribe one 72-mcg
LINZESS pill, just once a day—there's no need to measure or adjust doses.
You Could Pay as Little as $30 for a 30‑day or 90‑day Prescription‡
The LINZESS savings card enables many eligible, commercially insured patients to pay as little as $30 for a 30‑day or 90-day prescription.‡
Already have a savings card? Activate now.
‡Maximum savings limit applies; patient out-of-pocket expense may vary. This offer is available to patients with commercial insurance coverage and a valid LINZESS prescription. Offer not valid for patients enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal or state healthcare programs. This offer is not valid for cash-paying patients. Please see Program Terms, Conditions, Privacy Notice, and Eligibility Criteria.
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