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Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Lower Back Pain and Diarrhea

Lower back pain and diarrhea can be symptoms of a variety of medical conditions. Both symptoms are common. If you have diarrhea and back discomfort at the same time, it could mean you have a serious illness. Both can occur simultaneously for a variety of reasons. Some conditions that may result in both are tumor growth, enteropathic arthritis, IBS, and constipation. It is important to get medical attention if symptoms get worse. 

Lower Back Pain & Bowel Problems

Bowel diseases damage the small intestines. Bowel issues are mainly caused by smoking, nutrition, microbiological and immunologic factors, and Crohn's disease in the family. Constipation, diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain are some of the most common signs of bowel problems. The link between gastrointestinal issues and lower back pain is often overlooked. Bowel issues and lower back pain are definitely linked. Abdominal pain and bloating suggest irritable bowel syndrome. In addition to bloating and gas, IBS often causes extraintestinal symptoms. This includes sleep issues, headaches, urination issues, exhaustion, muscle discomfort, pelvic or jaw pain, and back pain.

The Reasons For Lower Back Pain And Diarrhea

Your lower back ache and diarrhea may be unrelated, but persistent symptoms suggest a medical explanation. Some possible reasons for these symptoms include:

Appendicitis

The appendix, a tiny organ in the lower right abdomen from the first section of the colon, is inflamed in appendicitis. It can lead to severe lower back pain and diarrhea simultaneously. Other symptoms are:

  • Fever

  • Appetite loss

  • Severe abdominal pain

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Difficulty passing gas

Appendicitis requires rapid care. Your situation might deteriorate in hours if left untreated. Your appendix may rupture. Ruptured appendix can spread infection throughout the abdomen and kill. See a spine dr in plano immediately if you have appendicitis symptoms.

Renal Infection

Infectious pyelonephritis is another name. Kidney infections proceed from the bladder or urethra to one or both kidneys. An infection can permanently harm the kidneys. If you have sudden lower back pain and diarrhea, visit a doctor immediately. To avoid significant problems, antibiotics must be given immediately for kidney infections. Other symptoms:

  • Urinating burn

  • Urinating frequently or urgently

  • Urine is cloudy or foul

Fecal Impaction

A huge, hard, dry stool lodged in the rectum is called feces impaction. Chronic constipation, commonly caused by laxative use, is the main cause. Constipated feces are dry and hard to pass. Fecal impaction causes abdominal and lower back pressure. Long-term constipation might cause rectum leaks or watery diarrhea. Additional symptoms include:

  • Cramping

  • Bloating

  • Bleeding

  • Bladder pressure and incontinence

Celiac Disease

Gluten-induced small intestinal inflammation inhibits nutrient digestion in celiac disease.Symptoms of celiac illness show significant variations among young people and older people. It causes chronic diarrhea and lower back bone and joint pain in certain adults. Other celiac symptoms include:

  • Weariness

  • Unexpected weight loss

  • Anemia

  • Depression

  • Headaches

It is recommended that you refrain from incorporating lactose or gluten into your diet. Doctors may send patients to dieticians who can help them avoid gluten while eating well.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common issue nowadays. Its symptoms include:

  • Bloating

  • Stomach pain

  • Diarrhea

  • Constipation

  • Cramps

IBS might be painful, but it doesn't cause cancer or damage the colon like inflammatory bowel illnesses. In addition to stomach pain, it can cause lower back pain and diarrhea. It might produce constipation or alternate diarrhea and constipation.  

Dysmenorrhea

Doctors call painful menstrual periods dysmenorrhea. An analysis found that 45–95% of menstruators have dysmenorrhea. Some people feel pelvic discomfort that radiates to the lower back in addition to abdominal cramping. Additional dysmenorrhea symptoms are: 

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Exhaustion

  • Sleep troubles

Over-the-counter ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen help many dysmenorrhea sufferers. If these therapies fail, back pain doctors in Dallas may prescribe harsher painkillers or birth control. They may also suggest dysmenorrhea testing to establish the cause. Alternative treatments include lifestyle changes. The back specialist in Dallas can recommend different lifestyle changes like regular exercise, quitting smoking, and getting enough sleep to lessen the pain.

Other Conditions That Could Have Caused It?

Finding out what is causing your back pain and bloating might depend on which sign shows up first. Many illnesses might create worrisome symptoms. Following are some of them:

  • Menstruation: When the uterus sheds its lining once a month, it is normal to experience pain, cramps, or discomfort. Lower back cramps may accompany period cramps.

  • Premenstrual syndrome: PMS affects cisgender women's emotions, health, and behavior during menstruation. Lower back and stomach pain or bloating may occur.

  • Endometriosis: This discomfort may manifest in the abdominal region or the back, or it may occur simultaneously in both areas.

  • Pregnancy: While you're pregnant, you might have both stomach cramps and back pain. Labor may occur if the cramps are worse and more frequent than menstrual cramps. Constipation can cause bloating. Back pain frequently results from fetal growth and an altered center of gravity. Changing hormones and extra stress on the gastrointestinal tract can cause lower back pain and diarrhea during pregnancy.

Severe Lower Back Pain And Diarrhea Treatments

Low back pain and diarrhea are usually caused by muscle tension and spasm and do not require surgery. Your pain can be treated with medicine or the best pain management in Dallas. Here are some:

Medications

  • Try acetaminophen (Tylenol), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen, gabapentin, or pregabalin.

  • Acetaminophen diminishes fever and discomfort, but not inflammation. Antiseizure drugs gabapentin and pregabalin block pain.

  • Painkillers like codeine may be recommended for severe back discomfort. However, opioids cause habituation, constipation, and lightheadedness; thus, they should be avoided and taken carefully. 

See a physiatrist if you have no evident injury to explain your pain. This physical medicine professional can evaluate back discomfort and recommend nonsurgical therapies like physical therapy. A physiatrist may send you to the spine doctors in Dallas for further discussion based on those results.

Surgery

The case for surgery must be compelling, as most low-back pain patients recover without medical intervention. Eighty percent of sciatica patients heal without surgery. The most obvious back surgery indications include severe progressive nerve issues, bowel or bladder dysfunction, and cauda equina syndrome.

If MRI or electromyogram results match the patient's symptoms, back surgery may be considered. The best orthopedic spine specialists in Ennis can recommend different surgery options according to your disease range. Back pain may require surgery in severe circumstances when other treatments fail. Common methods include:

  • Discectomy, including microdiscectomy and minimally invasive lumbar discectomy, is the surgical excision of a portion of a herniated disc.

  • Spinal fusion is a bone implant that facilitates the fusion of the vertebrae.

  • A spinal laminectomy removes the lamina to increase space and minimize inflammation.

Outlook

There are several reasons for abdominal pain, lower back pain and diarrhea. Try to see if symptoms go away on their own, unless the pain is severe or accompanied by other symptoms. Nevertheless, it is not advisable to self-diagnose. Cancer, liver failure, and other major diseases are harder to treat. All instances benefit from early intervention and medical care. Only a healthcare professional has the ability to ascertain the source of the discomfort. Premier Pain Centers can help you with treating the discomfort and also offer best treatment options.

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.