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.
How Do You Stimulate A Bowel Movement Quickly
If you need a quicker solution to bowel movement, there are a number of things for you to consider and it works just fine. It can help you if you have a condition of hemorrhoids. Since hemorrhoids are caused mostly because of constipation and constipation makes it hard for people with hemorrhoids. Its a bit of a cycle but if you follow these natural ways, you can stimulate a quick bowel movement.
Constipation Can Cause Bloating
- Bloating is often caused by trapped gas in the small intestine. This trapped gas causes pain in the lower back, stomach, and leaves one feeling uncomfortable. This trapped gas can also cause distention of the abdomen.
- Excess liquid in the intestine is another cause of bloating.
- Many times bloating is caused by poor digestion. Instead of beneficial bacteria doing the work of digestion, yeast can take over and ferment fecal matter. This fermentation produces excess gas.
Taking a regular probiotic may help resolve gas problems.
Also Check: How To Loosen Lower Back
Conditions That Can Cause Both Symptoms
Constipation and lower back discomfort can be caused by a variety of conditions, including the ones listed below:
Constipation can be caused by increased hormone levels, and the growing uterus can place additional strain on the lower back, so women may have both of these symptoms at the same time during pregnancy.
Constipation and lower back discomfort are two other prevalent adverse effects of aging. The shock-absorbing capabilities of a persons back disks may diminish as they age, resulting to back discomfort.
Aging can also impact a persons level of exercise and how quickly their intestines move. These changes can make constipation worse.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Drinking at least eight glasses of water every day will assist feces to pass through your intestines more readily. Staying hydrated helps your body remove toxins while also providing oxygen and nourishment to your muscles. When you drink more water on a daily basis, you may notice that your constipation symptoms and lower back discomfort improve. Having a reusable water bottle on hand will remind you to drink more often.
Read Also: Can Back Pain Cause Dizziness
Common Causes Of Lower Back Pain
About 80% of adults experience lower back pain at some point in their lives, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Lower back pain is usually an acute condition that may occur due to overuse or an injury or sprain. However, some people may experience chronic back pain that lasts for 12 weeks or longer.
Some of the most common causes of lower back pain include:
How You Can Treat Constipation At Home
If constipation is a pretty new thing for you , you should try to remedy things at home.
It may sound obvious, but really, the best ways to help your digestion are to eat a diet high in fiber , stay hydrated, and exercise, says Latorre.
If you’re not moving, neither are your bowels,” says Chutkan. Increase your unprocessed fiber intake from natural sources, like fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and make sure you’re upping your H20 intake to move everything smoothly through your system.
If that doesnt work, try a fiber supplement or one to two tablespoons of pure psyllium husk with plenty of water, says Chutkan.
Beyond lifestyle updates, you could also try laxativesand there are two main types: osmotic and stimulant. Osmotic laxatives help pull water into your colon to hydrate stool,” while stimulant laxatives actually contract your bowels, says Latorre. But, keep in mind, if youre using laxatives regularly, that’s a sign you need to visit a gastroenterologist, she adds.
But yeah, don’t ignore it if you haven’t pooped in awhile: “Stool is waste matter,” says Chutkan. “It’s toxic, and it’s not supposed to be hanging around in your colon for several days at a time.”
So even if your symptoms arent bad enough for you to head to the hospital, you should still try to get your pipes movingASAP.
Don’t Miss: How To Prevent Back Pain From Standing All Day
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.
Health Information You Can Trust
We pride ourselves on being your source for the best, scientifically-accurate advice for healthy living.
This article contains references to scientific journals and peer-reviewed research. The numbers in brackets correspond with the list of references at the end of the article.
Reviewed and Approved
Additionally, the Reviewed and Approved seal signifies that our scientific board of experts has double-checked this article for accuracy. You can feel confident in knowing that the information within this article is sound.
Close
A member of our customer service team recently received feedback from a customer who had been experiencing such severe constipation that it was transitioning into lower back pain. This isnt the first time Ive heard a report like this. Soreness and lower back pain can definitely be related to constipation. It’s not only severe constipation even minor cases of constipation can lead to back pain.
Read Also: Can Lying Down Too Much Cause Back Pain
Does Constipation Causestomach Pain
Can constipation cause stomach pain? Yes. In fact, stomach pain is the most common complaint of constipation.
Constipation causes blockages that can aggravate the movement of the smooth muscle along the digestive tract.
When this happens, the normally gentle wave-like contractions can go into spasms, resulting in stomach pain.
Second, just the stretching of the colon by excessive waste can be painful.
Is it pain caused by constipation?
There are numerous organs between the chest and groin that can cause pain.
Therefore, when you have stomach pain, try and locate where the pain coming from. However, constipation is the leading cause of stomach pain. How does constipation cause stomach pain?
Can Constipation Cause Pain In The Right Side Under The Ribs
Pain below the right side under the ribs can be caused by multiple factors. It can be caused by organs in the chest cavity that includes the gallbladder, lungs, and diaphragm. But the most obvious reason to get pain in the right side under the ribs can be because of constipation.
Because besides lungs and diaphragm being present in that chest cavity area, there are also your stomach and intestines located. The pain you may experience can be either dull or sharp depending on the condition youre having. It can be consistent or it can happen for a short time. The pain in the right side can certainly be caused by the organs situated in that location.
If you have a normal digestive system, bacteria in the colon helps to digest your food properly. But while helping out, they form some gas in your intestine. If you have normal digestion, it wont be a major problem since these gases can be transported out along with your fecal matter and no huge problems get formed in the way.
But when you have an active condition of constipation, your intestinal mobility gets messed up and it forms a cycle of several symptoms. When your intestinal mobility gets stopped or slowed down, the fas formed by the helpful bacteria dont get anywhere to go and they form large bubbles of gas inside your colon.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Treatment For Herniated Disc In Lower Back
Can Back Pain Cause Constipation
If youve ever experienced a pulled back muscle or chronic back pain, you know it can be extremely debilitating. Your back is central to your core. Most of your movement originates in the core area. When the back is hampered by sharp pain, every movement hurts and most movements are slow and avoided. The pain can even prevent you from making it out of bed. If it takes 20 minutes to make it up the stairs, isnt it probable that straining during bowel movements could also be a source of misery?
Its also not uncommon to see constipation in folks who have sustained back injuries from strenuous activities or lifting. In some cases, its simple the lower back muscles spasm and interfere with the autonomic nerves responsible for the intestinal action that cause bowel movements.
Conditions That Cause Lower Back Pain And Bowel Problems
It is also possible that you do not have IBS, but have constipation, which is also linked to lower back pain. Both constipation and lower back pain are fairly common medical issues, and are often nothing to be concerned about, but if they occur suddenly at the same time, it is advisable to see a doctor, as it might be a sign of a more serious issue. For example, the following are examples of conditions that cause both constipation and lower back pain to occur at the same time:
- Bowel obstruction
A bowel obstruction is a gastrointestinal condition in which digested material cannot pass normally or as it should through the bowel. A bowel obstruction can be caused by fibrous tissue that compresses the gut, which can develop many years after abdominal surgery. With a bowel obstruction, the blockage in your colon or rectum can create a dull pain that extends from the abdomen to the lower back.
- Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. In individuals with endometriosis, the tissues that should be lining the uterus can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the intestines. Bowel symptoms are very common with endometriosis, as is back pain. This is because endometrial cells can stick to the lower back and the front of the pelvic cavities.
- Fibromyalgia
- Liver disorders
- Peritonitis
- Urinary tract infections
Also Check: What Is Better For Back Pain Ibuprofen Or Acetaminophen
Changes To Bowel Habits
Pancreatic cancer can cause diarrhoea and constipation . If you are over 60, have lost weight and have diarrhoea or constipation, your GP should refer you for a CT scan or ultrasound scan within two weeks.
Pancreatic cancer can also cause pale, oily poo which is called steatorrhoea. Poo may be large, smell horrible, float and can be difficult to flush down the toilet. This is caused by fat in the poo. It happens if pancreatic cancer has affected your digestion, so that fat in your food isnt digested properly.
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
Don’t Miss: What Causes Lower Abdominal And Back Pain In Females
What Is Constipation
Constipation is defined as having three or fewer bowel movements in a week. If you are constipated, your stool may also be hard, dry, and painful to pass.
Constipation may cause lower back pain because stool buildup can cause pressure on the colon or rectum, which can refer pain to the lower back, says Yili Huang, DO, director of the Pain Management Center at Northwell Healths Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, New York. Pressure from constipation-related abdominal bloating, gas, and swelling may manifest as low back pain, too.
If you already have back pain, constipation may worsen it. Pushing too hard to pass a bowel movement can increase pressure on nerves and aggravate your back. Its also possible that the prescription narcotics you take to treat your back pain are causing constipation, according to the U.S. Pain Foundation.
When To See A Doctor
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommend that a person sees a doctor right away if they have lower back pain and constipation together.
Anyone who experiences frequent bouts of constipation or unexplained instances of lower back pain should also talk to a doctor.
If lower back pain and constipation occur at the same time due to a single underlying condition, a doctor will recommend an appropriate treatment for it.
In less serious cases, there are several things that a person can do at home to relieve constipation and lower back pain when they occur together:
If symptoms remain despite home treatments, a person should see their doctor.
Also Check: Are Memory Foam Mattresses Good For Lower Back Pain
Can Constipation Cause Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can be difficult to diagnose because it can have so many potential causes. Since our lower back houses crucial skeletal structures, muscle groups, and nerve endings, any lower back pain should be diagnosed and treated immediately, no matter how trivial or serious the cause.
But can a condition like constipation cause lower back pain? Its possible, but there are other equally likely causes as well. If constipation is the cause of your back pain, it may indicate a more serious issue with your digestive system that needs treatment.
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.
Don’t Miss: What Is The Treatment For Lower Back Pain
What To Keep In Mind With Right Side Abdominal Pain
These are just some of the potential causes of pain on the right side of the abdomen. Doctors are trained to look at five factors when diagnosing the cause of pain in the abdomen: what is the patient doing before or during the pain, where is the discomfort located, how severe it is, and medical history. Since there are so many potential options, professional medical help is the only way to know for sure what you are facing.
Getting Rid Of Constipation Forever
I used to suffer daily with some sort of stomach pain or discomfort, until I realized that constipation was behind it.
So, I developed a daily regimen to stave off constipation and its undesirable symptoms.
Magnesium, the silver bullet
A daily dose of magnesium along with exercise and a balanced diet to implement can go a long way to eliminate digestive problems, and the stomach pain that can accompany it.
For a magnesium supplement, I prefer using a sea mineral supplement.
Its magnesium has many health benefits. It also contains valuable trace minerals.
Can constipation cause stomach pain? Yes. Its just another good reason to do something to remedy that constipation problem.
Don’t Miss: Does Acupuncture Work For Lower Back Pain
Drink A Strong Black Coffee
Now this kinda runs contrary to the ‘avoid caffeine’ advice in the previous section.
However, for some people a strong black coffee in the morning can really help to get the bowels moving again.
That’s certainly the case for me anyway .
Coffee has this effect because it stimulates the muscles in your digestive system, which jump starts the whole process.
Just be sure to limit yourself to 1-2 cups of coffee per day to avoid dehydrating yourself.
And don’t add milk, as dairy can be another cause of constipation.
How Do You Know It Is Constipation Causing Your Lower Back Pain:
- Consistent and persistent pain that gets worse during your motions.
- The pain spreads way above your lower and middle back.
- The pain becomes more intense with time, and pain medications dont help.
Constipation can also result sciatic nerve compression and hence be a non-spinal factor that causes sciatica an intense lower back pain that travels right down to your leg it is a case of sciatica.
Read Also: Why Is My Back Always In Pain
