The ABC symptoms A slow-moving digestive system may be the cause of your Chronic Constipation or Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation. It can result in what is called the ABC symptoms.

• Abdominal discomfort: Cramps, twinges or sharp aches that may be in several locations or change location.
• Bloating: A full, tight feeling in the abdomen often caused by excessive gas in the intestines. The abdomen may appear distended, as if heavy and full.
• Constipation: This bowel pattern is different for everyone, but could include infrequent bowel movements, hard or lumpy stools, difficulty in passing stools, inability to have a bowel movement, incomplete elimination, straining with a bowel movement or any of these in combination.

Chronic Constipation symptoms can also include:

• Constipation lasting over 6 months.
• 3 or less bowel movements each week.

  You may also have some or all of the following:

• Straining with a bowel movement.
• Infrequent bowel movements.
• Hard or lumpy stools.
• Difficulty in passing stools.
• Inability to have a bowel movement.
• Incomplete evacuation.

If you have these troubling symptoms, talk to your doctor about prescription treatment options that are available now for chronic constipation and constipation predominant IBS (IBS-C).