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Constipation and Back Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Back pain can be caused by a variety of factors, and having constipation can further complicate daily life. Problems occurring simultaneously are not usually a coincidence. Can constipation cause back pain? Constipation is the biggest cause of severe back pain. It blocks your bowels, puts enormous pressure on the rectum, and causes lower back pain. No matter how serious the problem is, lower back pain should be treated right away. If diarrhea is the main cause, it could mean that there is a problem with your digestive system that needs to be fixed right away.

Back Pain Induced Constipation

Many things can cause constipation. Sometimes, the cause of constipation is unknown. Lower back issues that are caused by constipation can be effectively addressed by the best spine surgeons in Dallas. Possible constipation causes:

  • Dehydration

  • Low fiber diet

  • A lack of physical activity

  • Bowel blockage

  • Rectal or colon cancer

Conditions That Cause Back Pain and Constipation

Can constipation cause back pain? The presence of constipation with back discomfort may not necessarily be associated. It is possible that the issue is related to both conditions. This includes the following: 

  • Cancer: Nearby tumors can stress the spinal cord, producing back pain and halting bowel movement. Abdominal tumors can push on the bowels, making stool passage harder.

  • Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue, similar to that of the uterus, develops in an unintended location. This might be inside or outside the gut. Constipation, lower back pain, gas, sexual pain, fertility issues, and rectum hemorrhage during menstruation may be the consequence of bowel involvement.

  • IBS: IBS is a persistent functional bowel illness that changes bowel patterns. Both IBS-C and IBS, with varied bowel habits, can cause constipation and back pain. Stomach cramps, bloating, and diarrhea are some IBS symptoms.

  • Fibromyalgia: This condition causes discomfort throughout the body, especially the back. For instance, you may experience indications of irritable bowel syndrome, including back discomfort and constipation.

Can Constipation Cause Lower Back Pain?

Constipation causes your intestines to swell, making you feel bloated and uncomfortable. This intestinal swelling causes back pain that starts as a mild ache but worsens if left untreated. Pain begins in your lower back and travels to your abdomen. Constipation causes back discomfort for two main reasons:

Fecal Impaction

Fecal impaction occurs when a huge amount of stool gets caught in your colon and you cannot push it out despite all your efforts. This dangerous illness causes lower back pain and constipation. Fecal impaction should be addressed medically to avoid hazards. Besides back discomfort, fecal impaction causes numerous other symptoms. Dehydration, enlarged belly, low blood pressure, fever, nausea, etc. If you have difficulties breathing , seek help immediately. Not knowing about such issues can be fatal. In addition to regular constipation, laxatives, medicine, and inactivity can cause fecal impaction.

An enema or anal suppository from your doctor usually treats fecal impaction. Doctors inject enema fluids into the rectum to soften stool. Once the stool softens, it breaks down and passes out effortlessly, providing immediate relief. Seek medical assistance immediately if your lower back pain has spread to your lower limbs.

Generalized Constipation

General constipation can cause back discomfort. Constipation causes your intestines to swell, putting a lot of strain on your muscles, especially your back, causing pain and soreness. Constipation is the result of infrequent or difficult bowel movements. Constipation causes 2-3 bowel movements each week. Constipation symptoms include firm stools, pain and straining when using the toilet, feeling full on an empty stomach, and more.

Most constipation causes diminished bowel motions due to nutrition, lifestyle, habits, etc. If the problem persists and you cannot diagnose it, see a doctor. It becomes tough to determine the problem's cause on your own. Normal constipation isn't as serious as fecal impaction, but it shouldn't be neglected. Easy dietary and lifestyle modifications can fix it. Constipation can be treated by stretching, exercising, drinking water, and consuming fiber. Specialized solutions are provided by pain physicians in Dallas to reduce ongoing discomfort and enhance quality of life.

Treatment Options

Constipation treatment usually involves food or lifestyle changes. Use laxatives or suppositories for short-term treatment. Common lifestyle modifications can cure constipation.

  • Eat more fiber: Fiber-rich foods include whole-grain breads, green beans, broccoli, and peas. Fiber helps excrement travel through the intestines.

  • Drink more water: Being dehydrated can cause constipation. Stool can be hard to pass dry. Drink 64 ounces of water daily.

  • Exercise regularly: Regular exercise increases muscular usage. It increases intestinal activity. If you've struggled to exercise, talk to your doctor first.

  • Schedule it: Regular bowel motions are more likely if you use the restroom at the same time every day.

To reduce back discomfort while treating constipation, use over-the-counter pain medicine and heating pads. If your lower back pain persists after treating constipation, consult a doctor to determine the source.

When to See a Doctor

Constipation is not a disease and can affect everyone. Different homemade cures relieve mild discomfort and increase bowel motions.  However, the following symptoms are dangerous and should be treated immediately. Consider immediate medical assistance if any of this happens. Pain management in Dallas offers comprehensive care plans to treat this discomfort.

No stool in a Week

This signifies a colon, stool, or rectum blockage. Remove this promptly under medical supervision. You may have feces impaction. Extreme constipation causes back discomfort and compromises physical function.

Bloody Stools

Blood in your feces may indicate internal bleeding, anal fissures, IBD, or intestinal obstruction. Scratches or tears in the digestive tract lining can cause it. In rare circumstances, it indicates colon cancer or ulcers.

Chronic Back Pain

Constipation often causes low-back pain, but it's rarely severe. Rather fluctuating. No matter how minor the condition, always seek medical assistance because persistent back discomfort may indicate a more serious issue.

Fever

No obvious link exists between fever and constipation. Constipation can cause a fever if the cause is unknown. This could be viral, bacterial, or parasitic. To treat such conditions, you require doctor-prescribed medications and should seek medical counsel immediately.

Your Path to Comfort

Can constipation cause back pain? The answer is that it can cause lower back or sciatica discomfort that can go down the leg. It may cause a fecal impaction with stool caught in the colon, requiring medical attention. Constipation and back discomfort may not be related. Both can cause irritable bowel syndrome and cancer. Back pain-related constipation can be treated with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medicines. Back pain doctors in Dallas can diagnose and cure constipation by addressing postural concerns. Specialized care reduces pain and improves digestion.

Dr. Rao K. Ali M.D.

Dr. Rao Ali, a board-certified pain management physician, leads the clinic, which specializes in nonsurgical treatment. The physician has experience in the emergency room as well as training in pain management and rehabilitation. As a personal physician, he works with each patient to develop a treatment plan that will minimize or eliminate their pain. Providing expert diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of conditions, Pain Management In Dallas, PA provides a comprehensive range of services. These services include neck pain, back pain, hip and knee pain, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome, headaches, migraines, and many others.