August 20, 2024 Michelle Schmanski

Can Constipation Cause Back Pain?

Anyone who has suffered from constipation knows that it can be extremely uncomfortable. Constipation can also cause many different symptoms, including back pain. If you’re struggling with back pain and think it could be due to constipation, keep reading to learn more about how the two are connected.

What is Constipation?

Put simply, constipation is any difficulty passing stool. It’s typically caused by stool passing too slowly through the colon, which allows more water to be absorbed and causes the stool to become firmer and more difficult to pass. Constipation can also result from a lack of water or fiber in one’s diet.

Symptoms of Constipation

People are considered constipated if they have less than three bowel movements a week. Other symptoms of constipation can include:

• Stools that are hard and difficult to pass.
• Stools that are lumpy and dry or come out in small balls.
• Feeling as if you still have to move your bowels after a bowel movement.

Can Constipation Cause Back Pain?

Constipation can cause you to feel bloated and uncomfortable. The back pain caused by constipation is due to a backup or blockage of stool in the colon. In some cases, if the backup of waste in your colon is too great, it can cause pressure on the sciatic nerve, also known as sciatica. Sciatica causes a painful, burning, or shooting sensation that extends from the lower back and shoots down your leg.

How to Relieve Your Back Pain Due to Constipation

The best way to treat back pain caused by constipation is to treat the constipation itself. Here are some helpful tips you can try at home.

• Drink more water: Drinking lots of water can help rehydrate and soften the stool, allowing it to pass more easily.
• Get some exercise: Regular exercise can not only help relieve constipation but also prevent it from occurring in the first place.
• Eat more fiber: People who eat around 25 grams of fiber per day are less likely to experience constipation. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, and nuts. It’s important to note that you should introduce it slowly if you aren’t used to eating a lot of fiber. Ironically, consuming too much fiber too fast can lead to constipation.
• Try a fiber supplement: Fiber supplements, like Metamucil, can greatly increase your fiber intake if you struggle to eat enough fiber-rich foods.
• Take a stool softener: Stool softeners like Colace can help alleviate occasional constipation by drawing water into the stool.
• Try an over-the-counter stimulant laxative. These can help alleviate constipation quickly by causing the muscles in the digestive tract to contract.

When Should You Be Concerned?

While constipation can be completely normal and often something you can deal with on your own at home, it can sometimes indicate something more serious is going on. If you struggle with ongoing constipation accompanied by blood in your stool or severe stomach or lower back pain, it is time to seek help from an experienced gastroenterologist.

Don’t continue to live with chronic constipation any longer – schedule an appointment today!

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Related:

• Immediate Constipation Relief at Home: Doctor Advice
• Do Bananas Cause Constipation?
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