CIC IS A CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITION
If your constipation keeps coming back or seems to last for a long time—3 months or more—it could be Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC). “Idiopathic” means the cause is unknown.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CIC?
CONSTIPATION
Lumpy or hard stools Fewer than 3 bowel movements a week Incomplete bowel movements
Lumpy or hard stools
Fewer than 3 bowel movements a week
Incomplete bowel movements
WHAT COULD SMALL, HARD STOOLS MEAN?
The Bristol Stool Form Scale makes it easier to understand and talk about stools. The scale helps assess how long stools have been in the bowel by assigning them a number based on their size, shape, and consistency.
Type 1 stools have spent the most time in the bowel; type 7 have spent the least. Stools resembling types 1-2 may indicate constipation, types 3-5 are typically considered normal bowel movements, and types 6-7 could mean diarrhea.
Answer 5 quick questions to learn more about symptoms of IBS-C and how LINZESS may help. Check my symptoms.
Small, hard lumps
Log-like but lumpy
Log-like with surface cracks
Smooth & snake-like
Soft blobs with clear-cut edges
Fluffy with ragged edges
Watery, no solid pieces
Constipation
Normal
Diarrhea
Modified from original version. © 2000 Rome Foundation. Used with permission.
WHAT CAUSES CIC?
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.
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.
NERVE SENSITIVITY
Some patients may 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.
WHILE ESTIMATES VARY, AS MANY AS 28.5 MILLION ADULTS IN THE U.S. MAY HAVE CIC*
*Estimated IBS-C/CIC sufferers within the U.S. through Kantar LINZESS Tracking Study; Jan-Dec 2020; general population sample only.
OVER 3 MILLION PATIENTS HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBED LINZESS**
LINZESS is a once-daily prescription treatment for adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) or Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC). It 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.
**IQVIA Total Patient Tracker – June 2020
†Abdominal symptoms were studied in combination, not individually.
“After 2 weeks of taking LINZESS, I noticed a change in my bowel movements…I felt I could go completely.”
Dian, 43
Prescribed LINZESS for CIC
