Masses Around The Lower Back
Cancer can often manifest in lower back or lower limb pain, alongside bloody stools and difficulty with bowel movements. Since the tumor mass can press on the spinal cord and other nerves found in the lower back, it can often escalate into a life-threatening situation if left unattended.
Swelling, inflammation, lumps, or acute pain and discomfort are also symptoms of tumors. Its often possible to feel the tumor itself if its around the lower back area. These lumps arent always tumors: they can also be swollen lymph nodes, one of the latest signs of colorectal cancer.
Back Pain Due To Irritable Bowel Syndrome
A frequent complaint and diagnosis are colon spasms or irritable bowel, a syndrome that occurs more often in women, also during the menstrual cycle. When you suffer from abdominal pain and bloating, it is possible that you suffer from IBS or irritable bowel syndrome. One of the symptoms is a very painful lower back.
Pain in the lower abdomen and the lower back occurs in various ways. Depending on the condition, you can feel the pain in a specific part of the abdomen, for instance at the bottom. Sometimes the entire abdomen can be painful with a painful feeling in the sides and the lower back or in the lower back and the pelvis. This does not always mean it is serious. Many women have this periodically. A hot water bottle and pain killers are still the best cure. In the event of serious pain, you must contact a GP.
Constipation And Low Back Pain
If you have low back pain, youre not alone. As many as 25 percent of Americans saw a doctor for low back pain in the past three months alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . One reason the problem is so common is that the list of potential causes for low back pain is long.
Your back contains many structures that can cause or contribute to pain, including bones, muscles, joints, nerves, tendons, disks, and ligaments. These can become damaged from trauma, aging, obesity, overexertion, and underlying diseases, among other factors.
Your lower backs proximity to other organs and body parts, like the colon, makes it a prime target for referred pain, including from constipation.
Heres a closer look at constipation, the causes of constipation with lower back pain, and treatment options for relief.
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Spleen Pancreas And Part Of The Liver
Although your liver is located under the right rib cage, part of it is located on the left side just under your heart. Below your heart under the left part of your rib cage are your liver, spleen, and pancreas. These organs, along with your liver, are an important part of your digestive system and help to break down food to extract nutrients and filter out waste products.
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Could Digestive Issues And Low Back Pain Be Caused By Tight Hip Flexors
Many people act as though health issues are specific and isolated. It’s time for a new angle. The systems in your body are intricately connected: if youre experiencing problems in one area it can directly affect another.
This domino effect is especially prevalent when it comes to your back, hips, and digestive system.
Your abdominal region is packed full of tissues and necessary systems that you use 24/7. It is home to your bladder, kidneys, female reproductive system and can also be ground zero for potential dysfunction, from ovarian cysts toirritable bowel syndrome .
Many of these internal organs in your abdomen are also adjacent to the iliopsoas or hip flexor muscles. Thats why it isnt uncommon for patients to ask me: can IBS cause hip and groin pain?
Im going to walk you through the inner workings of your abdominal region so you can better understand your body and how your organ health directly relates to your muscle health.
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Colon Cancer Symptoms And Treatment
There are numerous symptoms of colon cancer. Here are the following colorectal cancer symptoms:-
- Persistent cramps or gas pain.
- Rectal bleeding or bloody diarrhea.
- Fatigue.
- Unexplained loss of weight.
- Abdominal discomfort, change in the habits of bowel, constipation, diarrhea, or change in the consistency of the stool.
The Link Between Ibs And Back Pain
In addition to abdominal-related symptoms, research shows that people with IBS are likely to feel pain in other parts of the body. As many as 81% of people with IBS may also experience back pain.
While the root cause of this back pain varies by person, researchers think it could be linked to IBS in the following ways:
- Physical factors:Sensations in the intestines like gas pressure, colon spasms, or swollen bowels can lead to pain in the abdomen and lower back.
- Referred pain:In many health conditions, pain originating in one part of the body can be felt in another part of the body .
- Another health condition:People with IBS often experience other inflammatory health conditions at the same time, such as fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, or rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions can include back pain as a primary symptom.
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When Should You See A Doctor If Youre Experiencing Lower Back Pain Because Of Constipation Or Bowel Movements
If lower back pain and constipation come on together suddenly, its best to see your medical provider, especially if you have other symptoms.
If constipation and lower back pain are chronic issues for you and youve tried lifestyle changes with no improvement, you should visit your doctor. There may be an underlying cause.
Even if its a typical problem for you, seek medical attention if lower back pain occurs with any of the following symptoms. They indicate something potentially more serious:
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Sharp pains in your back or abdomen
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Fever
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Vomiting
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Blood in your stool or rectal bleeding
Finding blood can be scary, but the cause may not be serious. Bright red blood when you wipe often comes from anal fissures or hemorrhoids , which are not typically problematic.
However, if you have a lot of pain when sitting or passing stool, bleeding, or notice darker, tarry blood in your stools, its best to speak to your doctor.
Many people find talking to a doctor about anything poop-related to be embarrassing, but having an awkward consultation could save your life or simply make your life more comfortable.
Tummy Pain Or Back Pain
Tummy pain or back pain are common symptoms of pancreatic cancer. The pain may start as general discomfort or tenderness in the tummy area and spread to the back.
Some people have no pain at all, and pain can vary from person to person. For example, it may come and go at first but become more constant over time. It can be worse when lying down, and sitting forward can sometimes make it feel better. It may be worse after eating.
If you are over 60, have lost weight and have tummy or back pain, your GP should refer you for an urgent CT scan or ultrasound scan within two weeks.
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Can Constipation Cause Back Pain
It may seem unlikely that constipation and lower back pain are connected, but back pain causes come in many forms, and surprisingly, constipation is one of them.
Constipation is a fairly common condition in which you are unable to pass stools easilyor at all, in some cases. A lack of fiber in the diet and pregnancy are two causes of constipation. It is normal to experience constipation once in a while, and if it passes after a few days, there isnt much to be concerned about. But if its a regular occurrence and you experience lower back pain as a result, you need to examine the problem more closely.
When you cant remove fecal matter from the body, its normal to strain, sometimes excessively so, to try to eliminate the waste. Its this straining that puts pressure on the back and on the discs of your spine that might already be loose this is often called a slipped disc or herniated disc.
Fecal impaction is an even worse condition than simple constipation, and it can also trigger lower back pain. A fecal impaction is when a fecal mass becomes dry and hard, is lodged in the rectum, and cant come out with ease.The longer a fecal impaction is allowed to carry on without some kind of intervention, the worse the pain will become, because the pressure in pressure on the lower back and abdomen isnt being alleviated, and will continue to build over time.
Improve Spinal Health With The Spine And Rehab Group
Constipation is a possible cause for lower back pain, but you should always get a full diagnosis before your doctor before settling it as the only cause. There are a myriad of factors that can trigger the symptoms of lower back pain, and its important to check for all possible conditions to catch any serious illnesses that may be developing.
At the Spine And Rehab Group, we believe in providing high-quality medical care and assistance for any sort of back pain, combined with a commitment to long-lasting solutions and excellent customer service. We have years of experience in treating most causes of back pain, with clinics all over New York that you can visit today.
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Can Constipation Be The Cause Of Your Lower Back Pain Or Sciatica
Constipation is defined as a condition causing an individual to have three or less bowel movements a week. Alternatively it also relates to bowel movements with small, hard and dry stools that are very often hard and sometimes very painful to pass. It can result in the sufferer having an uncomfortable or painful bloated sensation around the abdomen region.
It can be termed acute which means its onset is sudden but short lasting or chronic whereby the symptoms can last for much longer periods years in some cases.
Constipation means that the body isnt getting rid of waste properly via regular bowel movements the result, a build up of waste, which we know as stool, within the large intestine. If the stool is not passed it will change in consistency and harden to the point that it becomes more and more difficult to pass. This can result in back pain in two ways:
A: The blocked lower intestine becomes distended and is likely to cause a pressure, discomfort, bloating or feeling of being full, not just in the abdomen area but can also extend into the lower back too. This uncomfortable type pressure will worsen the longer the constipation lasts as the body will continue to produce waste even though its not being excreted and so the build up and pressure will worsen. This back pain as a result of constipation will normally not be too severe and often more of discomfort, a dull ache or uncomfortable pressure type lower back pain.
What Should I Do If I Am Experiencing Symptoms
It is important to remember these symptoms can be caused by many different conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome or indigestion, and arent usually the result of cancer.
However, if you regularly experience one or more of these symptoms which are not normal for you, do not ignore them, contact your GP straight away.
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Symptoms Of Faecal Impaction
The symptoms of impaction are similar to the symptoms of constipation. But other more serious symptoms can occur. These include:
- back pain due to the mass of poo pressing on the nerves in your lower back
- a swollen tummy
- high or low blood pressure
- a fast heart rate
- explosive diarrhoea or diarrhoea that you have no control over
- feeling and being sick
Lower Back Pain May Be Caused By Bowel Problems
Problems of the lower back may be related to bowel problems or painful and swollen bowels. Back pain and piercing or nagging pain in the abdomen may be attributable to swollen bowels and flatulence.
For all kinds of reasons, the stomach may feel uncomfortable and cause back problems at the same time. In turn, back problems may cause abdominal pain. The nerves of both regions run lumbar . So, they have considerable impact on each other.
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Can Physical Therapy Help Lower Back Pain
Physical therapy is one of the best ways to treat lower back pain, and if your bowel problems are related to back pain, it will ease those symptoms as well. Physical therapy will help ease lower back pain and help you find relief in motion. If you are struggling with this, it is best to seek physical therapy as soon as possible. This will help prevent any need for an operation down the line. In the worst cases, if you do need surgery, our team will be by your side every step of the way helping you recover.
To learn more about the link between lower back pain and constipation, or other bowel problems, call ProFysio Physical Therapy at 812-5200 or contact us online.
Categories
Pain Or Discomfort In The Abdomen
What is it?
Abdominal pain or discomfort is one of the most common symptoms and one of the first symptoms to often present itself.
The pain or discomfort can be caused by the tumour invading nerves or organs that lie near the pancreas. The pain or discomfort is usually felt above the belly button and below the breast area , however, some patients report they have pain and discomfort without a specific location.
How do I know if I have this?
Having tummy pain or discomfort is a common symptom for many diseases and does not mean you have pancreatic cancer. However, if this is new and unusual for you or combined with other symptoms you should visit your GP to check.
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How Can I Prevent Constipation
Use the same home-based methods you used to treat constipation to prevent it from becoming a chronic problem:
- Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fiber. Good sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole-grain breads and cereals. Fiber and water help the colon pass stool. Most of the fiber in fruits is found in the skins, such as in apples. Fruits with seeds you can eat, like strawberries, have the most fiber. Bran is a great source of fiber. Eat bran cereal or add bran cereal to other foods, like soup and yogurt. People with constipation should eat between 18 and 30 grams of fiber every day.
- Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee and soft drinks, can dehydrate you. You may need to stop drinking these products until your bowel habits return to normal.
- Treat mild constipation with a dietary supplement like magnesium.
- Move your bowels when you feel the urge. Do not wait.
Back Spasms / Cramping
A sudden contraction or spasms in the back can cause a very severe pain. This condition is known as muscle cramping. However, this type of pain may disappear without you noticing it. With muscle spasms, this could either tell you that whatever it is you are doing should NOT be done again, or there is a more serious underlying issue in your spine. For immediate relief, seek muscle relaxant medication, heat/cold therapy, and slowly stretch the affected area by walking or rubbing it as much as possible. If the spasm occurs again and more frequently, seeking medical attention for the spasm would be in your best interest.
Avoid activities that could lead to back cramping or spasm.
When you experience any of these pains, it is good to visit a Pain Management Doctor to help you diagnose the source of your lower left side back pain. At first you may use over-the-counter pain relievers pain-relieving creams can be of help as well. However, as time goes by and this pain increases, your doctor may recommend certain medication or medical procedures if your pain is severe.
If medications arent helping, your Pain Management Doctor may recommend injections. These injections target irritated nerves by using a nerve root block method. Steroid medication are usually found in these injections. However, if you experience long back pain and is interfering with your daily life, then surgery may need to be an option for you.
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Other Suggested Treatment Options
Sometimes, you may not find the right diagnosis or treatment simply by visiting your doctor. Thats because doctors dont often address the complete picture of why youre experiencing pain.
More often than not, our pain is caused by imbalances in any or all of these three sources: mind, body and diet.
Here at the Healthy Back Institute, we teach a comprehensive method that called the Complete Healing Formula that addresses each one of these sources.
Weve found that this is the best way to address chronic pain, whether its in your lower back or elsewhere.
I provide an overview of these healing strategies in my book The 7-Day Back Pain Cure.
You can download a copy of my book for free by clicking right here.
What Are The Potential Complications Of Abdominal Pain
Complications of abdominal pain depend on the underlying cause, but can range from missed school or work to malnutrition to life-threatening infections. Getting an accurate diagnosis and following your treatment plan will help you avoid complications. Over time, abdominal pain can lead to serious complications including:
- due to blood loss
- Dehydration due to loss of fluids
- Organ failure
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