Can Constipation Cause Back Pain And Leg Pain? Understanding Symptoms Of Constipation
Written by Dr. Alejandro Junger - Genexa Medical Advisory Board and Partner on May 3, 2021
Constipation can be extremely unpleasant and inconvenient, and helping your little one deal with their own constipation is another feat in itself. If you are experiencing constipation alongside back pain and leg pain, it is possible that these symptoms are all related.
As an integrative physician and advisor and partner to Genexa, the first clean medicine company (same effective active ingredients, but without artificial fillers), I think it’s important to shed light on this connection. Before we get into how and why constipation may result in back pain, it’s important for us to go over some basics, like what causes constipation in the first place so that you, or your child, know what foods might be the culprit in your case.
What Causes Constipation?
There are several different factors that may contribute to constipation, not all of which involve food or diet, surprisingly.
Minor constipation can often be linked to diet, but physical activity and stress may also play a part in your digestive health.
Common causes of constipation include:
- A lack of fiber in your diet
- Hormonal changes or pregnancy
- Dehydration
- Certain spinal or brain injuries
- Low level of physical activity
- Stress
- Some medications
While not all of these causes have to do with what you eat, almost all of them can be linked to lifestyle changes and portions of your daily routine. Thus, constipation is temporary and can generally be resolved pretty easily.
Can Constipation Cause Back Pain?
Okay, let’s get down to business. If you or your child are experiencing constipation alongside back pain, specifically pain in your lower back, it is possible that these two things are related, especially if the pain is dull and achy. Simply put: the backed-up stool in your system very well may be causing your pain.
That said, though, not all back pain is caused by constipation, even if they occur at the same time.
Other causes of lower back pain include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Spinal cord injuries
- Pinched nerves in your back
- Spinal tumors
If your back pain is severe, you should pay a visit to the doctor to make sure nothing super serious is going on.
Conditions That Cause Constipation and Back Pain
There are certain conditions that may cause back pain and constipation concurrently, and thus it may be harder to distinguish what is causing which ailment.
Examples of this kind of condition include:
- Bowel obstruction
- Endometriosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome
- Liver disorders
- Pancreatic cancer
- Urinary tract infections
If you seem to experience both constipation and lower back pain frequently in a concurrent manner, it is a good idea to consult a professional. Your doctor will be able to help you get to the bottom of your discomfort, and any conditions or diseases can be diagnosed and taken care of so that you get set on the path to recovery.
Can Constipation Cause Leg Pain?
Let us make ourselves clear: leg pain generally is not associated with constipation, so if you are experiencing pain in your legs, there is probably a different reason for it.
Something that is important to note, though, is that constipation does cause back pain in some cases, and this back pain can radiate or cause pain in other parts of the body.
In order to make a connection between your leg pain and constipation, other causes of leg pain should be ruled out first so as to make sure nothing else is going on. Once other causes have been ruled out, it might be safe to say that everything is linked, and in this case, treating the constipation will help ease the other pain and discomfort you are experiencing.
Treatment
Here’s the good news: constipation, and the associated back pain, is highly treatable and temporary.
For some people, an at-home treatment may do the trick. Home treatment methods include:
- Engaging in low-impact physical activity: This kind of movement can help stretch out tense muscles, thus encouraging intestinal movement and working to relieve constipation.
- Drinking plenty of fluids: Staying hydrated is a major part of relieving constipation, especially when you consider the fact that dehydration can actually cause it in the first place. Making sure to drink lots of water throughout the day can make a big difference.
- Consuming more fiber: A low-fiber diet can lead to constipation, so incorporating more foods that are rich in fiber can encourage healthier digestion and bowel movements.
- Use heat or ice packs on sore areas of the back: Applying heat or ice to the lower back can soothe the inflamed muscles that result from constipation.
In some cases, it is necessary to seek medical attention due to worsening or severe symptoms. Some indications that you should see a doctor instead of self-treating include:
- Bloody stool
- Sharp pains in your back or abdomen
- Fever
- Vomiting
In these, more severe cases, your doctor will be the best source of advice and guidance to get you on the road to recovery, because you shouldn’t have to make sacrifices when it comes to your health.
In minor cases, trying out at-home treatment methods, or several of them in combination, may get things moving for you and ease your discomfort. In some cases, though, medicine may be necessary, and that’s where Genexa comes in.
Genexa is the first clean medicine brand - making medicine with the same active ingredients as leading brands but without any artificial inactive ingredients. They are devoted to offering medicine. Their Kids’ Senna Laxative is perfect for children between the ages of 2 and 12 who are dealing with constipation, and it can bring relief in just 6-12 hours. Genexa’s Kids’ Tummy Relief tablets may also be able to help with digestive irregularities in general, including heartburn, upset stomach, and acid indigestion.
Founded by two dads, Genexa understands the trials and tribulations of being a parent in a world full of confusing information when it comes to the health of your children.
At Genexa, they value transparency, and their medicines have the active ingredients you need without the artificial inactive ingredients you don’t need. If you want clean medicine, Genexa has you (and your young ones) covered.
The Bottom Line
However uncomfortable constipation may be, it is temporary and highly treatable. Any back or leg pain resulting from constipation is caused by the backup of stool in your body, and properly accounting for the constipation you are experiencing will help relieve your other symptoms, too.
Certain at-home treatment methods may be able to help you, especially if your symptoms are manageable and relatively minor. In slightly worse situations, though, or if your child has constipation that won’t quit, medicines like those made by Genexa may be able to help.
Sometimes, constipation is a bigger problem than you initially thought, and these cases require medical attention. Symptoms like bloody stool, sharp pains, and vomiting are signs that you should see a doctor, but these are not very common.
Overall, constipation can be fairly easily managed and treated, and you will be back to normal in no time.