Why this matters:
IBS-C can impact your comfort, mood, daily routine, and even your social life. But with the right knowledge, tools, and support, many people find real relief. We’re here to help you get there—step by step.
Let’s start by understanding what IBS really is.
What Is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that affects how your gut moves and communicates with your brain. It's now widely understood as a gut-brain axis disorder, meaning there’s a disconnect between how your digestive system works and how it feels (Camilleri, 2021; Lacy et al., 2020).
It’s not caused by structural damage or inflammation, but it can be just as disruptive as other GI conditions.
What’s behind it?
- Altered motility (how fast or slow the gut moves)
- Increased visceral sensitivity (your gut reacts more intensely to normal signals)
- Changes in the gut microbiome
- Stress and emotional triggers affecting digestion
What Is IBS-C?
IBS-C (Constipation-predominant IBS) means your bowel movements are infrequent, hard, or difficult to pass, and you're likely to experience symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and straining.
But IBS-C is more than just constipation. It involves:
- Hypersensitivity of the intestines (even normal gas or stool can feel painful)
- Slow gut transit (things move too slowly)
- Brain-gut dysregulation, where stress and emotions can amplify physical symptoms
It’s a chronic condition, meaning symptoms come and go, but can be managed with the right strategies (Ford et al., 2019; Chey et al., 2021).
IBS SUBTYPES
IBS symptoms vary from person to person. That’s why IBS is divided into subtypes based on your dominant bowel pattern (Lacy et al., 2020):
- IBS-C: Constipation-predominant IBS
- IBS-D: Diarrhea-predominant IBS
- IBS-M: Mixed type (alternating constipation and diarrhea)
- IBS-U: Unclassified
Meet GUTTI – Your IBS virtual assistant
Hi there! I'm GUTTI, your friendly virtual assistant here to help you better understand Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C).
Whether you're feeling confused, curious, or just looking for clear answers, I'm here for you.
I can guide you through flowcharts, explain tricky terms, and answer your most common questions , all in a simple, human way.
What can I help you with?
- I’ll break down key concepts so they’re easier to digest (pun intended!).
- I’ll walk you through decision-making flowcharts step by step.
- I’ll answer your FAQs about symptoms, treatments, and more.
No stress, no medical jargon — just clear, helpful info whenever you need it.
Ready to start? Just ask me anything!
Welcome!
Curious about your gut health? Meet Gutti our friendly chatbot designed to guide you through IBS-C symptoms, answer your questions, and help you make sense of what you're feeling.
It’s quick, easy, and educational.
Note: Gutti is not a substitute for medical advice — it’s a support tool to help you better understand your condition.