Can Constipation Cause Fever? The bowel syndrome, specifically in the form of constipation, is one of the most widely spread gastrointestinal disorders. Although, it is generally characterized by pain in the abdomen, swelling, and struggle to defecate some people ask whether it can cause fever or not. Information about the potential correlation between constipation and fever has to be known to avoid misinterpretation of the symptoms.
Understanding Constipation: Causes and Symptoms
Dyspepsia is described as having less frequent bowel movements than three times a week or the ability to pass stools. The condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Dietary Choices: Low fiber diets and consumption of highly processed foods consequently make stool hard and dry thus difficult to pass out.
- Dehydration: Lack of water may cause the fecal matter to become hard and small making passing of stools a rigorous task.
- Lack of Physical Activity: Lack of exercise also retards the rate of digestion, thus causing constipation among the people.
- Medications: Some medicines including opioids, antacids, and some classes of antidepressants have been known to lead to constipation as a side effect.
- Underlying Medical Conditions: Other diseases such as IBS diabetes, and hypothyroidism can cause constipation among other illnesses.
You cannot think of constipation as simply passing less than three bowel movements a week. Individuals may also experience:
- Abdominal Pain: A usual sign that results from the accumulation of fecal matter in the colon or large bowel.
- Bloating and Gas: Retention of waste material can cause discomfort and fullness.
- Straining During Bowel Movements: It can cause strain while passing stools, and therefore cause other related complications.
- The feeling of Incomplete Evacuation: Occasionally, there remains the impression that the bowels have not been thoroughly emptied even after defecation has been keenly conducted.
Can Constipation Cause Fever? The Potential Connection
In most of the cases, fever is a good sign that the body can fight the infection of the inflammation. While constipation itself does not directly cause fever, there are scenarios where the two conditions may be related:
1. Fecal Impaction and Infections
Fecal impaction on the other hand is the accumulation of hard stool in the colon or rectum thereby hindering its passage through the natural route. This condition can predispose the patient to some complications such as bowel obstruction and infection.
Sometimes bacteria that are commonly found in the intestines, may be released in the bloodstream due to the infection that leads to fever in cases of fecal impaction.
2. Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection of small pouches, known as diverticula, which develop in the colon’s muscular layer. Lack of proper bowel movement is one of the conditions that predispose a person to Diverticulitis. If these pouches become infected the individual is likely to present with features such as pain in the abdomen, fever, and nausea among others.
3. Appendicitis
Very occasionally, chronic constipation might be the cause of appendicitis, an inflammation of the appendix. If the appendix gets filled with the Stool, the condition may lead to swelling of the appendix and breeding of bacteria hence causing symptoms like severe abdominal pain, fever, and nausea..
4. Gastrointestinal Obstruction
Some of the complications that are closely related to chronic constipation include obstructive Intussusception that may be either partial or complete whereby the flow of the Intestinal content is blocked. To this extent, an obstruction can cause the build-up of bacteria, infection, and in this way fever.
Also Read: Can Hypertension Cause Dehydration?
When to Seek Medical Attention
Even though constipation sometimes is quite common, the combination of the two signs, constipation, and fever can portray a picture of chronic diseases. You should seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Persistent or Severe Abdominal Pain: This could be due to an infection or obstruction; as is the case with a temperature for instance.
- Vomiting or Nausea: They may thus come with such symptoms as constipation, fever, and others that will depict a condition that arises out of blockage of the GI passageway.
- Unexplained Weight Loss: Quitting a lot of weight without even realizing that one is doing it should be a cause to ask for a professional opinion.
- Changes in Bowel Habits: It may be therefore advisable to search for a colorectal cancer if one ever develops a change of bowel movement, say from diarrhea in the morning, to constipation in the afternoon.
- Blood in Stools: Bloody feces are ordinary in inflammations, infections, or some other digestive problems and should be reviewed by a doctor.
Preventing Constipation and Related Complications
However, one should do all within their power not to have long-standing constipation since the condition is not Without complications. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk:
- Increase Fiber Intake: A well-balanced diet of fruits and vegetables; whole grains and legumes will go a long way in maintaining the health of the digestive system.
- Stay Hydrated: It is also recommended that individuals take lots of water throughout the day so that they can soften their stools hence making bowel movement easier.
- Exercise Regularly: It is a known fact that any form of exercise improves blood circulation and the muscles in your intestinal region will also get a sort of workout thus enabling proper digestion.
- Monitor Medications: Before you have constipating drugs, perhaps you should consult your doctor on the risks of constipation and if there are better medications without the side effects.
- Respond to the Urge to Go: Staying for a long time without defecation results in forming hard stools, and it becomes difficult to defecate them.
Conclusion
Fecal impaction, diverticulitis, appendicitis, or bowel obstruction which may be brought about by constipation may cause fever, thus making constipation a severe health complication. The guidelines on what may be causing constipation to be linked with fever will enable you to tell when you need to see a doctor and how to avoid these two conditions from developing in the first place.