Constipation and Back Pain

How are Constipation and Back Pain Connected?

As you probably know already, constipation relief is a multibillion dollar industry. That's because it's a very common ailment that people would prefer not to discuss; they just want quick, easy relief from it. What you may be unaware of is that the soreness, lower back pain, that you feel may be related to the constipation that you're experiencing. When they occur together, healthcare practictioners will consider that they are related. You might think it's only in cases of more severe impaction that back pain is experienced. The fact is, even minor cases of constipation can involve back pain.

Let me explain: Constipation occurs when the waste material becomes blocked in the lower intestine. The blockage can cause pressure in the lower back. The pain will get worse if the impaction isn't eliminated. That's because your body continues to produce waste material even if it's not passing it. Conversely, back pain from lifting, a sudden jerk, or other straining activities can cause a bout of constipation. That's due to the fact that the muscles in the lower back in spasm can interfere with the autonomic nerves responsible for peristalsis of bowel movements.¹

Causes of Constipation

Many things can cause constipation. Commonly, your diet may be causing you to experience constipation. If you haven't taken in the proper amount of water, fruit and vegetables, you're not giving your body the fuel it needs to function properly. Not getting enough exercise can cause your abdominal muscles to become sluggish. Even prescription medications can play a roll in locking your bowels.

Iron Supplements

Pain Relief Drugs

Anti-Depressants

Shocking Fact About Back Pain Constipation Stimulant laxatives are not usually recommended because they can cause permanent damage to your colon.²

Severity of Constipation with Back Pain

Occasional irregularity: Not all constipation and back pain is the same. The symptoms can vary, from occasional irregularity to chronic constipation, even complete blockage. In minor cases, the constipation can clear up on its own in as quickly as a day.

More severe cases: In more severe cases, it's possible to go as long as days without having bowel movements. And when the bowels do move, the stools are dry and hard. When your bowels don't move easily, what's the first thing you do? You strain. You try to force your body to do something that it can't. That straining creates pressure that adds to back pain.

Severe, chronic constipation: Severe, chronic constipation can last for days. It can require medical intervention and even hospitalization.

More severe diseases can have the symptom of constipation. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a serious intestinal disorder that has many uncomfortable symptoms including constipation, diarrhea, cramps and back pain.

Did You Know? You can actually have episodes of diarrhea even while being constipated.³

Even if your back pain clears up with pain medication, that won't clear up the constipation. Remember pain medications you take for your back often can cause constipation or make constipation worse. If you have chronic problems with constipation and back pain, you should talk with your healthcare practitioner about the problem to check for any severe diseases. Typically, a mild to moderate bout of constipation will correct itself in a couple of days, and as a result, relieve the back pain associated with it. Often times, some minor lifestyle adjustments that will help include special resting positions, exercise and diet.

REFERENCES

1. http://www.cure-back-pain.org/back-pain-and-constipation.html. Back Pain and Constipation. Accessed 24 July 2008
2. http://www.medicinenet.com/constipation/article.htm. Constipation. Accessed 24 July 2008.
3. http://www.medicinenet.com/constipation/article.htm. Constipation. Accessed 24 July 2008.
4. Health Begins in The Colon, by Dr. Edward F. Group III.
5. http://www.mothernature.com/library/bookshelf/books/21/84.cfm. Constipation. Accessed 28 July 2008.