Tuesday, April 16, 2024
HomeCauseCan Constipation Cause Severe Back Pain

Can Constipation Cause Severe Back Pain

Difficulty In Bowel Movement

Does Constipation Cause Lower Back Pain?

Aside from the frequency of bowel movements, the difficulty of stool evacuation should also be considered. If youre having trouble with your bowel movements, it could be that the stool inside your digestive system has become too large to push out. Forcing a bowel movement in that situation can cause serious damage to your rectal lining.

Under no circumstances should you consider self-medication unless approved by a doctor. While laxatives and other medications can help alleviate mild symptoms of constipation and lower back pain, any serious or chronic back problems should always be diagnosed by a medical professional first.

Link Between Lower Back Pain And Bowel Problems

When we talk about bowel disorders, we are referring to conditions that affect your small intestines. Bowel disorders can also affect other parts of your digestive system, like your large intestine. Bowel problems are usually caused by smoking, diet, microbial and immunologic factors, and a family history of Crohns disease.

The most familiar symptoms of bowel disorders are abdominal pain, swelling, bloody stool, constipation, diarrhea, and gas. What many people do not realize is that bowel problems are also related to lower back pain. The truth is that bowel problems and lower back pain are inextricably linked. This is because the nerves of both the back and the abdominal area run through the lower part of the spine.

If you suffer from abdominal pain and bloating, it is likely that you also suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. In addition to the classic symptoms like bloating and gas, individuals with IBS often develop extraintestinal symptoms, or symptoms that involve parts of the body beyond the gut. This can include sleep problems, headaches, trouble urinating, fatigue, muscle pain, pain in the pelvis or jaw, and back pain.

How Can Constipation Be Treated

Prevention is better than cure so it is best to avoid becoming constipated in the first place. This can be done by:

  • Eating regular meals
  • Include some high fibre foods at each meal
  • Make sure you are having your full fluid allowance
  • Move about and exercise regularly if possible
  • Sit in the right position when using the toilet. Use a foot stool to bring your knees up .

Your doctor or nurse may suggest the use of medications such as laxatives to help your bowels. Take this as prescribed do not wait to become constipated before using.

You May Like: Does Carbonated Water Cause Kidney Stones

Read Also: Advil Or Tylenol For Back Pain

Why Being Constipated Can Cause Back Pain

Youre probably constipated if:

  • your poo is hard, dry, large or lumpy
  • youve not had a poo at least 3 times over the last 7 days
  • you have to strain or it hurts when you poo

And when this happens, you usually have a lot of poo in your bowels, which – as mentioned above – can cause back pain. If youve been constipated for a while, you can develop faecal impaction which can also cause low back pain.

Back pain caused by constipation usually feels like a dull ache and it should go away once you starting pooing normally again.

But if the pain is from faecal impaction, you should see a doctor immediately as this can cause serious complications.

You may have faecal impaction if you have the following symptoms:

  • tummy pain, bloating or discomfort
  • leaking soft poo
  • feeling the need to push
  • headache and loss of appetite
  • losing weight without meaning to

Being pregnant can also cause low back pain and constipation because of changes in your levels of certain hormones, loosening of the ligaments in your body and the effect of carrying extra weight on your body.

Does Bloating Cause Back Pain

Lower back pain? Constipation might be the cause

Bloating occurs when the abdomen fills will air or gas, making your abdomen appear larger and feel hard.

Bloating can be very painful and uncomfortable, and this pain may be felt towards your back.

Your back supports and stabilises your body but it is vulnerable to strain, so it isnt uncommon to feel back pain when you are bloated.

This often happens during menstruation, pregnancy, when you have a UTI, or if you suffer from endometriosis.

Also Check: Is Aleve Good For Lower Back Pain

When You Havent Had A Bowel Movement In More Than 7 Days

This may indicate a serious blockage in your digestive tract that needs treatment immediately. Symptoms for constipation may sometimes appear isolated from one another, based on the body of the patient. Patients who experience prolonged periods without a bowel movement and lower back pain should get checked immediately.

How Are Kidney Stones Diagnosed

You may be asked to provide a urine sample to check for signs of kidney stones. If you suspect and have seen stones in your urine, it may be helpful to collect these for your GP so they can diagnose the type of stone causing the issue more easily. One method for collecting stone is to urinate through a piece of gauze so that the stones dont pass through.

If you are experiencing significant pain then you may be referred to a urologist who can perform some more detailed exams to determine the extent of your kidney stone. These tests may include:

Various scans including CT , X-rays and Ultrasound Intravenous Urogram or Intravenous Pyelogram a contrast is injected into your vein and then a series of x-rays will be taken. This contrast dye can highlight if their are any blockage in the kidney or urinary tract

Read Also: Is Celery Juice Good For Kidneys

Also Check: Advil Good For Back Pain

Treatment For Excess Gas

Theres three general treatment options:

  • Diet: Simply reducing intake of the following may well be enough to resolve the problem. High fiber foods and fiber supplements, dairy products, fatty foods, substitutes for sugar and carbonated drinks.
  • Over The Counter Medications: Theres so many different products out there but we suggest you check withyour pharmacist to find the right one for you.
  • Lifestyle: Simple changes to the way we eat and drink can make a difference. Smaller portions, chewing more, eating slowly and avoiding actions that result in greater air intake along with taking more exercise and giving up the cigarettes can all help.
  • Can Constipation Cause Severe Back Pain

    Back pain, Constipation, Acid reflux, Severe headaches – Helped by Dr. Waller Gonstead Chiropractor

    Constipation does not usually cause severe back pain. However, it may be a side effect of severe back pain. Most doctors report that constipation causes a dull ache instead of severe back pain.

    Constipation that occurs with severe back pain may be caused by:

    • A pinched nerve in your back
    • Spinal cord injury
    • Tumor on your spine

    You May Like: Exercise For Lower Back Pain Mayo Clinic

    Natural Treatments For Back Pain Caused By Constipation

    Apart from lower back pain, constipation causes a number of other uncomfortable and sometimes painful symptoms. Apart from not being able to have a bowel movement, or movements that pass only small, pebble-like pieces, constipation can cause vomiting, nausea, and a swollen abdomen.

    When your constipation is causing lower back pain, its a good indication that fecal matter has impacted within the abdominal tract and needs to be removed as soon as possible.

    Lower back pain caused by constipation can be alleviated the following ways:

    • Add more roughage to your diet: Its becoming a problem among many Americansthey simply dont eat enough fiber. Fiber-rich foods include whole grains, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, and fruits like apples and pears. Try sprinkling some bran on your cereal or moving away from refined white bread to something with whole grains. Even drinking a psyllium fiber drink like Metamucil can assist in alleviating your constipation, which will in turn alleviate much of your back pain. A simple switch like this can make a difference along with the rest of the suggestions below.
    • Drink a lot of water: Water helps clean out the abdominal tract and gets fecal matter moving through the proper channels more efficiently. The rule of thumb is eight glasses of water over eight hours.
    • Acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments: Some people find immense relief from back pain from constipation using these alternative therapies.

    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.

    Recommended Reading: Does Motrin Help With Back Pain

    Gi Society Patient Survey

    Chronic idiopathic constipation, which affects far more women than men, can be extremely debilitating. While it is normal to have a bowel movement anywhere from three times a day to three times a week, a person experiencing chronic idiopathic constipation has hard or lumpy stool that is very difficult to pass. Idiopathic means there is no known cause. Stool can remain in the bowel for more than a week and the buildup within the colon causes unbearable pelvic and abdominal pressure and pain, making it difficult to bend, sit down, have sexual relations, and even to walk. Other symptoms include poor appetite, back pain, and general malaise. The usual methods to relieve occasional constipation do not work for these patients. Convinced there is no solution for their illness, some of these individuals begin to withdraw from society.

    As part of our patient advocacy work, the GI Society is conducting an ongoing survey for women with chronic idiopathic constipation regarding their experiences using Resotran, a promising newer treatment for this patient group. It is challenging to convince government decision-making bodies and others of the severity of chronic constipation, a socially-stigmatized illness, as many misunderstand it and trivialize the impact it has on a persons ability to function. While most individuals have had an episode of constipation that resolved easily, many cant imagine an unrelenting situation, and underestimate the seriousness of chronic constipation.

    How To Treat Your Constipation & Back Pain

    Constipation the Cause of Many Diseases Fitness Health Forever

    We know it is difficult to live with constipation and lower back pain. Try the following some lifestyle changes for a better tomorrow:

    • Drink water: Drink at least eight glasses of water every day. Keep a water bottle with you as it helps you to remember to drink more often. Being hydrated makes it easier for stool to move through your bowels and flushes toxins from your body.
    • Eat more fiber: A higher fiber intake can help you achieve healthy bowel movements. Beans, nuts, and whole grains are a rich source of fiber. Adults need about 21-38 grams of fiber every day.
    • Exercise regularly: Regular exercise is the best way to keep you fit and healthy. It strengthens your back and abdomen and helps relieve lower back pain over time.
    • Laser therapy: Commonly known as Photobiomodulation therapy . You do not need to go in for surgery. Just wear your laser therapy device for 30 minutes a day to reduce the spasms and discomfort in your lumbar area.

    If you are experiencing unbearable pain, you are in the right place. Book an appointment with one of our doctors at Rheumatology Care Of North Houston. For more information, call us at

    Don’t Miss: Aleve For Lower Back Pain

    What Are Some Usual Lower Back Pain Causes

    The causes of lower pain in the back are sometimes thought about as being mechanical, natural or idiopathic. Sometimes spinal column conditions are congenital or obtained showing the problem establishes later on in life.

    Mechanical lower neck and back pain is frequently brought on by back activity and also entails spinal structures, such as the facet joints, intervertebral discs, vertebral bodies , ligaments, muscular tissues or soft tissues.

    Organic lower neck and back pain is credited to conditions, such as spinal column cancer cells.

    These are several of the important points your physician might seek or dismiss when you set up a see for back pain.

    Strains and also tension. Ligament strains and muscle or ligament strains are the most regular source of lower back pain. Theyre typically concerning overuse.

    Degenerative disc health problem. While the name appears uneasy, it simply recommends you have in fact a harmed disc causing discomfort. In time, discs become thinner as well as flatter as a result of wear and tear. That leaves them less able to support the vertebrae in addition to more probable to tear. Severe Lower Back Pain Constipation

    The security covering on intervertebral discs can tear gradually. When this happens, the soft internal disc cells could press by means of the external layer. A disc that extends or unclothes location is called a herniated disc, protruding disc, or slipped disc.

    Can Neck And Back Pain Be Stayed Clear Of

    Duplicating pain in the back occurring from incorrect body grease monkey could be stopped by protecting against motions that shake or strain the back, keeping suitable position, and also lifting items appropriately.

    Lots of work-related injuries are created or worsened by stressors such as large lifting, duplicated or continual get in touch with in between soft body cells, resonance, repeated task, as well as awkward position.

    Suggestions for maintaining ones back healthy and balanced as well as balanced

    Exercise frequently to maintain muscles solid along with flexible. Seek advice from a physician for a listing of low-impact, age-appropriate workouts that are particularly targeted to enhance lower back and also abdominal muscles.

    Protect a healthy and balanced as well as balanced weight along with eat a nourishing diet plan with enough day-to-day consumption of calcium, phosphorus, and also vitamin D to promote new bone advancement.

    Use ergonomically developed furniture as well as tools at home and likewise at the workplace. Ensure job surface areas are at a comfy height.

    Don’t Miss: Tylenol Or Aleve For Back Pain

    How The Kiwifruit Can Help Banish Your Constipation Back Pain

    Now that you understand how vital a balanced digestive system is to your health youll want to ensure that you take necessary steps to achieve that.

    It turns out, the key to digestive health isnt your probiotic drinks or yoghurts, as we have thought, but rather the humble kiwifruit.

    The amazing kiwifruit is already well known for its high concentrations of vitamins and minerals, but what you may not know, is that it contains nutritional properties that can relieve constipation and improve your slow digestive problems.

    A number of scientific studies have revealed eating just 2 kiwifruit daily can result in

    • an improvement in complete spontaneous bowels movements
    • less dependency on laxatives
    • relief of bothersome constipation
    • increased transit time

    The kiwifruits amazing digestive health benefits are a result of its high fiber content. If that wasnt enough, the kiwi can also restore your digestive health due to its prebiotic properties. Prebiotics are insoluble fibers that feed your good bacteria and promote their growth.

    Furthermore, the skin of the kiwifruit contains bioactive phenolic compounds which are powerful antioxidants that stop the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

    This is very important because an overgrowth of these harmful bacteria often lead to constipation, bloating stomach and excessive gas.

    With all these benefits going for it, should you be eating kiwifruit every day? Yes, you should, if you want to take advantage of its digestive health benefits.

    Specifically Just How Is Low Neck And Back Pain Identified

    Can constipation cause back pain

    Your medical professional will likely begin by asking for a complete case history as well as carrying out a comprehensive health examination to find out where youre really feeling the pain. A physical exam can in addition develop if pain is affecting your series of task.

    Your doctor may furthermore examine your reflexes and your actions to certain sensations. This establishes if your low back pain is influencing your nerves. Severe Lower Back Pain Constipation

    Unless you have worrying or crippling signs or neurologic loss, your doctor will certainly probably check your issue for a number of weeks before sending you for testing. This is given that a lot of low neck and back pain solutions using simple self-care therapies.

    You May Like: Advil Or Aleve For Back Pain

    Constipation Can Worsen Back Pain In Following Ways:

      • In chronic constipation, the impacted fecal matter causes blocking of the rectum. The excess accumulated matter can exert more pressure on the internal parts. The blocked rectum and impacted feces can exert pressure on the back and cause back pain. The fecal impaction can also press on the sacral nerves of the back. When these nerves get irritated a pain response may be felt in the back.
      • Additionally, the force exerted while trying to pass stools and straining can hurt the back muscles. If the back muscles are already weak or injured, the discomfort and back pain may be more. Prolonged constipation and straining too can eventually weaken the back muscles and cause pain. After a painful straining toilet activity, pain and discomfort may be felt in the back, around hips and legs.

    Presence of constipation can worsen the pre-existing back related problems or back pain and cause more pain. Similarly, reliving constipation can have a great impact on relief in back pain.

    Can Ibs Cause Back Pain How Are The Two Related What Are The Treatments For Ibsand Can Those Therapies Help Ease Discomfort In Your Back

    Irritable bowel syndrome may not be life-threatening, but anyone who says its not life-changing has probably never experienced the gas, bloating, abdominal pain and changes in bathroom habits the condition causes.

    As if that werent enough, many people with IBS also develop symptoms outside of their intestines. One of the most common of these is back pain.

    Can IBS cause back pain? How are the two related? Most important, what are the treatments for IBSand can those therapies help ease discomfort in your back? Heres what you should know.

    Don’t Miss: Is Aleve Good For Back Pain

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular