Colon pain, also known as abdominal pain, can sometimes radiate or be referred to the back. The colon is part of the large intestine, which plays an important role in digestion. Pain originating from the colon often indicates an underlying condition or disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract. This article will explore the causes of colon pain, whether it can be felt in the back, and treatment options.
What causes colon pain?
There are several potential causes of colon pain:
Constipation
Constipation is one of the most common causes of colon pain. It occurs when stool moves too slowly through the colon, becoming hard, dry and difficult to pass. The longer the stool sits in the colon, the more water gets absorbed from it. This makes the stool harder and dryer. As the colon works harder to move the backed-up stool, it can cause cramping and pain.
Diverticulitis
Diverticula are small pouches that can form in the colon wall, usually due to straining during bowel movements. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflamed or infected. This leads to abdominal pain, fever, nausea and a change in bowel habits. Diverticulitis pain can range from mild to severe.
Inflammatory bowel diseases
Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to abdominal pain. This pain may be constant or come and go in flare-ups.
Colon cancer
While rare in younger people, colon cancer risk increases with age. The cancer can cause pain as the tumor grows and expands in the colon. Blood in the stool is a common warning sign of colon cancer.
Colorectal polyps
Polyps are abnormal tissue growths that develop on the lining of the colon. Most are noncancerous (benign) but some can become cancerous over time. Polyps can cause pain if they grow large enough to block the colon.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
IBS is a chronic disorder that affects the large intestine. It causes abdominal cramping, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation. The exact cause of IBS isn’t known, but changes in the gut-brain connection and gut microbes may play a role.
Infection
Viral, bacterial or parasitic infections that affect the digestive tract can lead to colon pain. This may occur along with diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Can colon pain be felt in the back?
For some people, colon pain can radiate or refer pain signals to the back. Here’s why this occurs:
The colon is part of the digestive system, which also includes the small intestine, rectum and anus. It connects to the rectum in the pelvic region.
Nerves from the colon connect with nerves from other pelvic organs like the bladder and reproductive organs. These nerves all run together in nerve bundles.
When the colon becomes irritated, inflamed or obstructed, it can put pressure on these nerve bundles. This stimulates pain signals running along the nerves.
Even though the colon itself lies in the abdomen, the shared nerve pathways mean the brain may interpret these signals of irritation as coming from the lower back.
So while the back itself is not the direct source of pain, radiating signals from an irritated colon can be perceived as back pain.
Referred pain patterns
Doctors have identified certain areas where colon pain is most likely to be referred. These correspond to where the colon’s nerve supply overlaps with nerves from the back and spine:
– Lower right back – Pain originating from the ascending colon, on the right side of the abdomen, may radiate to this area.
– Middle back – The transverse colon crosses the upper abdomen below the stomach. Pain here can spread to the middle back.
– Left lower back – Pain from the descending colon on the left side may radiate here.
– Sacrum – The sigmoid colon curves down toward the rectum in the pelvic region. Pain here is likely to radiate to the sacrum and lower back.
Other causes of back pain
While colon issues can sometimes cause back pain, there are many other potential causes including:
– Muscle strain
– Herniated discs
– Spinal arthritis
– Kidney problems like kidney stones or infection
– Endometriosis in women
If you have back pain along with changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, it’s more likely that a colon problem is contributing to your symptoms. But any persistent or severe back pain warrants medical evaluation.
When to see a doctor
You should make an appointment with your doctor if you experience:
– Severe or persistent abdominal pain
– Blood in the stool
– Ongoing constipation or diarrhea
– Unexplained weight loss
– Persistent back pain that doesn’t improve with rest
– Fever along with abdominal or back pain
– Nausea and vomiting
Seeking timely medical care is crucial, especially if your pain is severe. Sudden, severe abdominal pain that comes on quickly may indicate a serious medical emergency like bowel obstruction or perforation that requires immediate treatment.
Diagnosing the cause of back pain
To diagnose the underlying cause of back pain, doctors may use:
– Medical history – Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, bowel habits and lifestyle. Tell them about any personal or family history of colon conditions.
– Physical exam – Your doctor will palpate your abdomen and back to check for pain, swelling, masses or areas of tenderness.
– Blood tests – These can check for signs of inflammation or infection.
– Stool tests – Testing stool samples can detect blood or parasites.
– Abdominal X-ray – Plain X-rays can reveal blockages or abnormal gas patterns.
– CT scan – This provides a cross-sectional view of the abdomen and pelvis. It can detect inflammation, masses, obstructions and more.
– Colonoscopy – A tiny camera on the end of a flexible tube is inserted through the rectum to view the entire colon. Colonoscopy can detect polyps, inflammation, tumors or other issues.
– Other tests – Depending on your symptoms, you may need a pelvic exam, ultrasound, MRI scan or other tests.
How is colon pain treated?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of your colon pain:
Constipation relief
Mild constipation can often be relieved at home by:
– Drinking more water
– Eating more high-fiber foods
– Exercising regularly
– Trying over-the-counter laxatives or stool softeners temporarily
For chronic constipation, prescription laxatives, bowel training techniques or surgery may be recommended.
Treating diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is treated with:
– Antibiotics to treat infection
– Liquid diets or colon rest to allow inflammation to subside
– Pain medication
– Surgery if complications develop
Making dietary changes to prevent small hard stools and constipation may reduce flare-ups.
Soothing IBS
IBS treatment involves:
– Dietary changes – Avoiding trigger foods, smaller meals, more fiber
– Antispasmodics or antidiarrheal medications as needed
– Antidepressants in some cases
– Probiotics and other supplements
Medications for inflammatory bowel diseases
Medications used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and colitis include:
– Corticosteroids reduce inflammation
– Immunosuppressants dial down the immune response
– Biologics target proteins involved in inflammation
– Pain relievers provide symptomatic relief
Surgery may be an option for severe cases not responsive to medications.
Treating colon polyps and cancer
Benign polyps can often be removed via colonoscopy. Cancer treatment may involve some combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted drug therapies. Treatment is tailored to the type and stage of cancer.
Can diet help with colon pain?
Dietary changes can often help reduce colon pain episodes:
More fiber
Adding high fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, bran cereals, whole grains and nuts can help regulate bowel movements. Fiber promotes bulkier, softer stools that are easier to pass through the colon.
Probiotics
Probiotic foods and supplements containing “good” gut bacteria may ease constipation and abdominal pain by promoting regularity. Examples are yogurt, kefir, kombucha, kimchi and sauerkraut.
Adequate hydration
Aim for at least 2 liters of total fluid intake per day. Water, herbal tea and other non-caffeinated beverages help keep stools soft and prevent constipation.
Limit problem foods
Certain foods known to aggravate IBS and inflammatory bowel diseases may need to be limited or avoided. These include dairy, fatty foods, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, beans and cruciferous vegetables.
Smaller meals
Eating smaller, more frequent meals puts less pressure on the colon. Large volumes can overstretch the colon and provoke pain.
Home remedies for colon pain relief
There are also some natural remedies that can provide soothing relief for colon discomfort at home:
Heat therapy
Placing a heating pad on your abdomen or lower back may relax tight muscles contributing to pain. Use care to avoid burns. Warm baths can also help relax the muscles.
Massage
Gentle abdominal massage in a clockwise direction may help stimulate the colon and relieve cramping, bloating and gas pains.
Relaxation techniques
Practices like deep breathing, meditation, yoga, guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation can activate the body’s relaxation response to ease colon spasms.
Herbal remedies
For short-term relief, teas containing fennel, peppermint, chamomile or ginger may relax intestinal smooth muscle. Check with your doctor before using with medications.
Probiotics
Oral probiotic supplements may reduce abdominal pain by balancing intestinal bacteria. Foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi and kombucha also contain probiotics.
Aromatherapy
Inhaling soothing essential oils like lavender, rose and sweet orange aromas may relieve anxiety and promote relaxation.
Preventing colon pain
You can reduce episodes of colon pain by maintaining healthy bowel habits:
– Drink plenty of fluids.
– Eat more high fiber foods.
– Exercise regularly.
– Do not delay when you feel the urge to have a bowel movement.
– Take probiotics.
– Manage stress through relaxation techniques.
– Follow up regularly with your doctor for colon cancer screening.
– Ask your doctor if medicines like probiotics, lubiprostone or linaclotide could help you.
When to seek emergency colon pain treatment
Seek immediate medical care if you experience:
– Severe or progressively worsening abdominal pain
– Fever and chills
– Vomiting that prevents keeping down fluids
– Inability to pass stool or gas
– High fever with abdominal pain or swelling
These symptoms could reflect a serious medical condition like a bowel obstruction, perforation or peritonitis requiring urgent treatment.
Call 911 or have someone drive you to the emergency room right away. Waiting too long can be life-threatening.
The takeaway
Colon pain refers to cramps, aches or discomfort originating from your large intestine. It has many possible causes including constipation, IBS, infection, diverticulitis, colitis and more.
Due to overlapping nerve pathways, colon pain can sometimes radiate or refer to the lower back. See a doctor to determine the cause, especially if you have severe, persistent or progressive pain.
Mild colon pain often improves with home treatments like heating pads, massage, herbal teas and relaxation techniques. Stay well hydrated, eat a high fiber diet, exercise regularly and avoid problem foods.
Seek prompt medical care for sudden, severe abdominal pain, which could indicate a medical emergency. Catching colon problems early improves the chances of successful treatment.