Lower back pain and diarrhea may be coincidental. However, Medical conditions like IBS can cause diarrhea and back pain. Consult a back pain doctor in Dallas immediately if diarrhea persists for more than 2 days, regardless of the cause. Severe diarrhea can cause dehydration and malabsorption if untreated.

Causes of Lower Back Pain and Diarrhea

Your lower back pain and diarrhea may be unrelated, but recurring symptoms suggest a medical cause. Some possible causes of these symptoms:

Appendicitis

The appendix, a small organ in your lower right abdomen from the first part of the colon, is inflamed in appendicitis. The pain of appendicitis starts near the navel and moves to the lower right part of the abdomen. Back pain can be caused by an appendix behind the colon. Symptoms may include diarrhea, constipation, fever, and appetite loss. Serious abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty passing gas. Appendicitis requires immediate care. If left untreated, your appendix can rupture within a matter of hours.

Fecal Impaction

Feces impaction refers to the condition where a solid, firm, and dehydrated stool becomes lodged in the rectum. Chronic constipation, often caused by laxative use, is the main cause. Constipated stools are dry and hard to pass. After long-term laxative use, your intestines forget how to move stool, increasing the risk. Fecal impaction is more common in older people but can affect anyone with chronic constipation. Fecal impaction causes abdominal and lower back pressure. Long-term constipation can cause rectum leakage or watery diarrhea.

IBS

About 10–15% of the world’s population has IBS.

Its symptoms include:

• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

IBS can be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t cause cancer or damage the colon like inflammatory bowel diseases.

Arthritis Enteropathic

Enteropathic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis linked to IBD. Enteropathic arthritis happens to one out of every five people who have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis can cause similar symptoms or lead to IBD. Diarrhea and abdominal pain characterize IBD. IBD linked to spine arthritis can cause lower back pain and diarrhea.  Other symptoms of IBD and arthritis may include joint pain and stiffness, depending on the type.

Kidney Infection

If you have diarrhea and lower back pain, you may have a kidney infection. Kidney infection can cause nausea, fever, and urinary issues. You must seek medical attention immediately if you suspect a kidney infection.

You should know kidney infection symptoms:

• Severe back pain
• Chronic diarrhea

Celiac Disease 

Celiac disease, an immune reaction to gluten, can cause chronic digestive issues and lower back pain. Celiac disease causes diarrhea, bloating, and lower back pain when the immune system damages the small intestine from gluten. Untreated, this condition can cause fatigue, weight loss, and nutrient deficiencies. A gluten-free diet and careful label reading are needed to manage celiac disease. Lifestyle changes like stress management and exercise can also help. Talk to a doctor if you think you might have celiac disease so they can diagnose it and treat it.

Dysmenorrhea

How does dysmenorrhea cause diarrhea and back pain? The uterus releases prostaglandins during menstruation. Prostaglandins can cause menstrual cramps and diarrhea due to uterine contractions.

Inflammatory substances released by prostaglandins cause lower back pain during menstruation. Understanding this link may help manage symptoms with lifestyle changes, over-the-counter painkillers, and diet.

Pancreatic Cancer

Due to insufficient pancreatic enzyme production, pancreatic cancer can cause frequent, loose, oily stools. Pancreatic tumors can cause digestive issues, including nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea and nausea can result from pancreatic cancer’s digestive effects. The tumor affects the pancreas’ digestion enzyme production, causing these digestive issues.

Understanding the link between lower back pain, diarrhea, and pancreatic cancer can help detect and treat it early. Consulting the best pain management in Dallas for comprehensive evaluation and treatment of persistent digestive symptoms and lower back pain is essential.

Gastrointestinal and Back Pain

Due to the complex network of nerves and organs in the abdomen and back, gastrointestinal issues can cause back pain. Following gastrointestinal conditions may cause or contribute to back pain:

• GERD: Chronic GERD causes heartburn and stomach acid reflux into the esophagus. GERD can cause back pain, especially in the upper back or between the shoulder blades.
• Peptic Ulcers: Peptic ulcers are the result of stomach acid eroding the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or esophagus, leading to the formation of open sores. Ulcer pain may manifest in the thoracic or upper lumbar region.
• Gallbladder Issues: Gallstones or cholecystitis can cause upper right abdominal pain that radiates to the back or right shoulder blade.
• Pancreatitis: Pancreatic inflammation can cause severe abdominal and back pain. Consistent or intermittent upper abdominal pain is typical.

Back Pain and Diarrhea: Stress’s Role

Diarrhea and back pain are linked to stress. The mind and body are connected, and stress can cause gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal symptoms. Back pain and diarrhea can result from stress.

Backache

Neck, shoulder, and back muscle tension can result from stress. Strain and discomfort from muscle tension can cause back pain. Stressed people may unknowingly slouch or hunch. These positions strain the back muscles and spine, causing pain.

Stress can aggravate back conditions like herniated discs or degenerative disc disease, worsening pain.

Diarrhea

The gut-brain axis links the gut and brain. Stress and emotional distress can disrupt gut communication, altering motility, sensitivity, and function. It can cause diarrhea and other GI issues. Stress releases cortisol during the “fight or flight” response. Bowel movements and diarrhea may result from these hormones.

Summary

Common diarrhea and lower back pain may be unrelated. Both can indicate serious illnesses. Celiac disease, IBD, kidney infections, and diverticulosis can cause diarrhea and back pain. Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days or dehydration symptoms require medical attention. If diarrhea or back pain is severe or accompanied by other symptoms, see a doctor.