Can Constipation Cause Back Pain?
Understanding Symptoms Of Constipation
Written by Dr. Tasneem Bhatia - Genexa Medical Advisory Board and Partner on May 18, 2021
Simply put, constipation entails difficulty passing stool, and this can be the result of many different factors.
Some of the most common causes of constipation include:
- A diet that is too low in fiber
- GI problems like irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease
- Celiac disease
- Changes in your daily routine such as travel
- Certain medications
- Dehydration
In short, your lifestyle and lifestyle choices play a huge role when it comes to your digestive health and bowel regularity.
That said, alongside the self-explanatory symptoms of constipation, back pain can sometimes also occur as a result of constipation… and sometimes constipation can be the result of back pain, too.
As an integrative physician and advisor and partner to Genexa, the first clean medicine company making medicine with the same active ingredients, but without any artificial inactive ingredients, I think it’s important to shed light on this connection so you can effectively treat your symptoms.
Constipation and Back Pain: The Relationship
If you are experiencing constipation along with dull pain in your lower back, it is pretty likely that your back pain is being caused by your constipation. This happens because of the backup of stool in your system, and working to relieve your constipation will also help relieve the pain in your back.
However, sometimes back pain is a sign of something more serious, and it is not always the result of constipation even if the two things are happening simultaneously.
Other common causes of back pain include:
- A pinched nerve in your back
- Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
- Bad posture
- Irritable bowel syndrome
When it comes to back pain, it is important to rule out other causes before assuming that it is stemming from constipation, but this connection is not infrequent.
Constipation can also result from back pain sometimes, though this happens indirectly. In other words, constipation can be the result of back pain when you are taking certain medications to treat that pain, and constipation occurs because of those medications.
The causes of constipation that comes along with back pain do not differ greatly from the causes of constipation alone, because the accompanying back pain is just part of the process.
Treating Constipation and Back Pain
Typically, the first line of treatment when it comes to constipation is to make some sort of change in what you are eating on a daily basis. This is because food and diet is generally the primary cause of constipation.
Thus, two of the best things you can do to treat constipation are:
- Drinking more water every day: Being dehydrated is a main cause of constipation, so upping your daily water intake has the potential to make significant improvements.
- Adding more fiber into your diet: Diets that are too low in fiber also lead to constipation since fiber helps move bowels through your digestive system more easily. Expanding your diet and adding in more foods that are full of fiber can make a big difference not just in regards to constipation, but in your overall health and wellbeing.
Other common forms of at-home treatment include:
- Making sure to exercise regularly: Physical activity helps stretch out tense muscles and can keep the digestive system and intestines moving things along. Physical activity also promotes better circulation and can regulate your bowels overall.
- Keeping a regular bowel schedule: As strange as it may sound, keeping a regular bathroom routine can actually help regulate and normalize bowel movements and digestive health. Plus, if your child is the one struggling with constipation, getting them to keep this kind of schedule can help them stay on top of hygiene and good bathroom habits overall.
- Avoiding triggers: If you know that certain foods don’t bode well in your digestive system, avoid them so as to avoid the tummy troubles that they bring along. It sounds simple enough, but it can make a big difference.
In some cases, at-home treatments just might not be good enough. When this happens, certain medicines and laxatives may do the trick.
Genexa is the first clean medicine company, and they make medicine with the active ingredients you need without the artificial inactive ingredients found in most common drugstore options.
Genexa’s Kids’ Senna Laxative can help ease your child’s constipation in 6 to 12 hours, and it is suitable for children between the ages of 2 and 12. Giving this medicine to your child at bedtime often means they can wake up able to easily go so they can get some relief.
If your little one struggles with tummy troubles extending beyond constipation, Genexa’s Kids’ Tummy Relief medicine might do the trick. It is formulated to provide relief for heartburn, acid indigestion, and an upset stomach.
When To See a Doctor
There are some instances where constipation might be part of a bigger problem that requires medical treatment. At-home treatments and over-the-counter medications can be helpful sometimes, but in more serious situations, you need to get in touch with a doctor.
Indications that you should pay a visit to the doctor’s office include:
- Bloody stool
- Sharp pain in your abdomen or back
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Bowel difficulties that will not go away, as this may be an indication of certain conditions like inflammatory bowel disease
Your doctor will be able to give you the best advice when it comes to more serious problems, and they will make sure you are on the right path in terms of treatment. Additionally, if the back pain you are experiencing alongside constipation is becoming unbearable, this is another sign that you should see a doctor. The back pain caused by constipation should never become unmanageable, and this kind of intense pain may end up being completely unrelated to your digestive system at all. It is always a good idea to play it safe and get a professional opinion in order to avoid further harm.
Outlook
Proper treatment, whether it be at home or with medicine, can get rid of your constipation troubles and get you back to normal in no time.
Constipation can be caused by a variety of factors, most of which are linked to your lifestyle and lifestyle choices, but the most common cause of constipation has to do with your diet.
If you are experiencing constipation and lower back pain at the same time, there is a good chance that the two things are connected, and treating your constipation will likely also help your back pain improve.
Home treatments like eating more fiber, drinking more water, and making sure to get regular exercise can help regulate your intestines and digestive system, but in some cases this is not enough and medicine is needed. Genexa’s clean medicines may be able to help ease your symptoms with the same effective active ingredients, but without the artificial fillers found in common OTC brands.
Sometimes, constipation and bowel troubles are a sign that there is a bigger problem, and in these cases you should see a doctor. Signs that a doctor is needed include bloody stool, a fever, and vomiting. When it comes down to it, your doctor will be the best source of guidance for you and will help you get to the bottom of whatever is causing your troubles.