Back discomfort can be caused by various things, and constipation makes life harder. Sometimes both problems happen at the same time, which can’t just be a coincidence. Some people might not think that constipation could cause back pain, though. Excruciating back pain is still primarily caused by constipation. Can constipation cause back pain? Constipation blocks your bowels, putting tremendous strain on the rectum and causing lower back pain. Lower back discomfort should be treated quickly, and if constipation is the main cause, it may signal a digestive system issue that needs to be addressed.
How Being Constipated Can Lead To Back Pain?
Constipation means you can’t pass stools, which makes your intestines swell up. This increase in the size of your intestines causes back pain that starts out as a dull ache but can get worse if you don’t take care of it for a while. Your lower back initiates the discomfort, which then extends to the remainder of your abdomen. Constipation causes back discomfort for two main reasons:
Fecal Impaction
Fecal obstruction is the term used to describe the case in which a substantial quantity of stool becomes lodged in the colon and is unable to be expelled, despite the exertion of one’s efforts. Lower back pain and discomfort are frequent symptoms of this severe condition. Medical treatment is necessary for fecal impaction, as it may develop into a hazardous condition.
Besides the excruciating back pain, fecal impaction results in a variety of other symptoms. Dehydration, a diminished or absent urge to urinate, a swollen abdomen, low cholesterol levels, a cold, nausea, and other symptoms are among them. If you start having trouble breathing or constantly feel dizzy, you should get help right away. It can be dangerous to not know about these kinds of problems. Other factors that contribute to fecal impaction, in addition to frequent constipation, include medications, laxatives, and a reduced level of activity.
Esthetics or any anal suppository a physician prescribes are usually the best ways to treat fecal impaction. Doctors inject enema fluids into the rectum to soften stool. Once stool softens, it breaks down and passes out effortlessly, providing immediate relief. There is no excuse for disregarding a severe condition like fecal impaction, and it is crucial to seek medical care immediately, particularly if the pain in your lower back has spread to your lower limbs.
General Constipation
General constipation can cause back discomfort. When you’re constipated, extra feces in your bowel swells your intestines, putting heavy pressure on your muscles, especially your back, causing pain. Constipation is infrequent or difficult bowel movements. Constipation causes 2-3 bowel motions each week. One or two normal bowel movements every 24 hours.
Chronic constipation causes hard stools, a lot of pain and exertion when going to the bathroom, feeling full even when you’re not hungry, and other symptoms. Fewer bowel movements are usually caused by things like diet, lifestyle habits, routines, and so on. Talking to a doctor would be best if the problem keeps happening and you can’t figure it out on your own. It gets harder and harder to figure out the exact cause of the issue on your own later on.
Conditions Causing Constipation & Back Pain
Other illnesses may induce lower back pain as well as constipation. Without urgent treatment, these illnesses can be severe and devastating.
IBS
The symptoms of IBS include constipation, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Functional gastrointestinal disorders like IBS include brain-gut miscommunication. Chronic pain may affect all or portions of the body in IBS patients.
Cancer
In colon and rectal cancer, symptoms may include lower back or limb pain, bloody stools, and trouble with bowel motions. Since the tumor mass presses on the spinal cord and other lower back nerves, it can become life-threatening if left untreated. Tumor symptoms include swelling, inflammation, lumps, and severe pain. In the lower back, the tumor is often palpable. These lumps may be enlarged lymph nodes, a new symptom of colorectal cancer.
Injury To Spine
A slipped disc, pelvic injury, or activity that pinches the sciatic nerve surrounding your spinal cord can also produce severe lower back pain. These injuries might be minor or serious, depending on what caused the mishap. Rarely, spinal injuries go unnoticed, causing sporadic lower back pain that may be misinterpreted for constipation. Patients must be self-aware of their bodies and schedule regular checks to catch spinal injuries early and prevent them from worsening.
Improper Sleeping Positions
Finally, poor sleeping posture might cause lower back pain. Misalignment during sleep will cause severe discomfort when the person wakes up since the body has a natural curvature. This pain can worsen during and after bowel motions, complicating the doctor’s diagnosis and treatment. Buy the perfect pillow, change your mattress, or acquire a medical brace to fix poor sleep positions. Pre-bedtime workouts and stretches can help your muscles and bones stay limber, as can a morning regimen.
Whatever the back pain symptom, the patient must be evaluated quickly. Any severe loss of function or body changes after lower back pain may indicate a dangerous condition that needs prompt treatment.
Managing Back Pain & Constipation
It is important to treat any underlying health problem that is causing the constipation and back pain before trying to treat the symptoms themselves. Constipation treatment may relieve back discomfort caused by constipation. Home remedies for constipation include:
- Fiber-rich foods include entire grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts. Fiber supplements are also available, but see your doctor first.
- Try to stay hydrated. Dehydration can cause constipation. Try clear soups, herbal tea, or naturally sweetened fruit juices with water.
- Do exercise regularly. Inactivity might cause constipation. Moderate activity several times a week can assist your bowels.
- Stop taking medications without your doctor’s advice. Your doctor can tell you which drugs cause constipation. Constipating medicines may be stopped or switched by them.
If constipation persists, your doctor may prescribe a stronger drug. Healthcare practitioners may use warm mineral oil enemas or suppositories to prevent bowel blockage. They may also need to finger-break stool in the rectum. Surgery may be needed in extreme situations. Other at-home therapies may ease back pain without constipation. Resting for a few days, cold and hot therapy, and OTC pain medication are the main therapies. If these approaches fail, the best back doctors in Dallas may suggest physical therapy, massage, or an epidural injection.
Conclusion
Constipation and back discomfort affect most people. Unfortunately, neither is usually a reason to worry. So if you are curious, can constipation cause back pain? So the answer is yes that constipation can cause back pain and can be a bit disturbing for some individuals. One may cause the other or an underlying problem causes both. Both illnesses usually improve with time and at-home treatment, but if symptoms linger or worsen, consult with pain management in Dallas for better understanding of the ailment.
