What is the connection between chronic low back pain and constipation?

The cause for chronic low back pain is not always the structural problems of the spinal cord.

The constipation can be a reason and the symptoms include:

• There will be no relief after your therapies like physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture etc.
• Inconsistent bowel movements
• Difficulty in passing stool

The reason is very simple. If there are no proper bowel movements it leads to bad bacterial overgrowth and inflammation. The intestines can be inflamed and swollen. This can prevent the abdominals from working. You need the abdominals to stabilize the muscles of the back. When they stop working and inflamed your back has no support. This causes chronic low back pain.

Mostly the culprits for the constipation are your bad diet and inadequate intake of fluids. All junk foods, processed foods, refined sugar and flour and excess caffeine can cause constipation. You must change your lifestyle and must take more fresh food. Plant oils are also necessary in your food for good bowel movement. A healthy lifestyle helps to reduce your weight also.

Drink 2 to 3 litres of fluids and 70% must be water. Here the probiotics can help to replace the bad bacteria. Physical activity is vital to stimulate the intestines. Try to avoid stress. If there is stomach problems think about food intolerances also.

It is in your hands to do something good to you.

Inform me about constipation; how can I prevent this?

According to medical sciences, constipation usually is defined as fewer than three bowel movements in a week. Severe constipation is defined as less than one bowel movement in a week. There is no medical reason to have a bowel movement everyday. No bowel movement for two or three days will cause any physical discomfort, but the problem is the tension which we make out of that. It is wonderful if you have bowel movement everyday, but there is no evidence of accumulated toxins in infrequent bowel movements and this belief is also wrong that constipation leads to cancer.

Constipation can be caused by the slow passage of digesting food through any part of the intestine, the slowing occurs mostly in the colon. Poor eating habits are a widespread common cause for constipation.

It is important to distinguish acute and chronic constipation and acute constipation must be assessed immediately if severe symptoms like rectal bleeding, abdominal pain and cramps, nausea, vomiting and weight loss are present.

The side effects of drugs is also an important factor for constipation and they include narcotic painkillers, calcium channel blockers, iron supplements, aluminium containing antacids, antidepressants, antiepileptic and many more.

A good portion of salad with its fibre content will help to eliminate constipation. Fruits, vegetables and whole grain products have lot of fibre.

Do not avoid fat completely and this is also a common cause for constipation. You must also use healthy edible oils daily. It need not be too much, but very important.

Natural remedies include herbal laxatives such as cape aloe, senna or others. Probiotics which contain lactobacillus acidophilus are natural supplements which help restore the levels of good bacteria that may be killed off by antibiotic use. Probiotics food may be preferred than supplements.

Laxatives may help, but chronic misuse can bring more problems including severe constipation and damage of colon. Therefore, the use of laxatives must be the last choice.

The other causes of constipation include certain hormonal disorders, central nervous system diseases, diseases which affect the colon including colonic inertia and the dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles.

Children should not take any laxative drugs.

What are the causes of constipation?

Constipation is when the bowel movement is less than three times a week. The stool is usually dry, pellet like and in some cases difficult to pass.

The causes of constipation include:

• Less physical activity
• Less fibre in the diet
• Do not postpone always your defecation which can cause constipation
• Milk and other dairy products can cause constipation.
• Consumption of less fluid can cause constipation.
• Eating meals irregularly can also cause constipation. Eat a healthy diet on the same schedule each day and chew your food well which helps to reduce the work of the digestive system.
• If your body is not getting enough rest, that can also cause constipation.
• Stress and worry can often cause constipation.
• The side effects of many medicines such as blood pressure medicines, pain killers, diuretics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antacids, antispasmodics, and antiparkinson’s disease drugs can cause constipation.
• Do not avoid fat completely from your food.
• Pregnancy, depression and travelling are also reasons for constipation.
• Do not take laxatives if you are not actually constipated and artificial help to complete the natural digestive process make it dependent and can cause constipation.

These are the commonly known reasons for constipation. It is in your hands to eat healthy food.