A herniated disc occurs when the soft, jelly-like center of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in its tougher outer casing. These discs act as cushions between the bones of your spine, allowing for flexible movement. While many herniated discs primarily cause pain in the back or limbs, it is possible for them to impact bowel function in some cases. Understanding this potential connection is important for anyone experiencing changes in bowel habits alongside spinal discomfort.
How Herniated Discs Can Affect Bowel Control
The spine is a central pathway for nerve communication. Nerves controlling bodily functions, including bowel movements, branch from the spinal cord. Nerves in the lower (lumbar) and sacral spine regulate intestinal activity and sphincter muscles involved in bowel control.
When a disc in the lumbar or sacral spine herniates, it can compress these nerves. This compression disrupts signals between the brain and intestines, leading to neurogenic bowel dysfunction. This disruption interferes with muscle contractions moving waste through the digestive system and signals for bowel movements. Even a single severely compressed nerve can noticeably impact bowel function.
Recognizing Related Bowel Changes
If a herniated disc is affecting bowel control, several changes in bowel habits may occur. Constipation is a common symptom, manifesting as difficulty emptying, straining, or fewer than three bowel movements per week. This occurs because nerve compression slows intestinal food movement.
Conversely, some individuals might experience episodes of diarrhea or even fecal incontinence. These bowel changes often appear alongside other neurological symptoms of a herniated disc, such as back pain, leg pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the lower extremities. Recognizing these concurrent symptoms can help indicate a potential link between the spinal issue and bowel dysfunction.
Understanding Cauda Equina Syndrome
Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is a medical emergency resulting from severe compression of the cauda equina, a bundle of nerve roots resembling a horse’s tail at the bottom of the spinal cord. This condition can be caused by a large herniated disc, among other factors. These nerves play a role in motor and sensory function to the legs, as well as bladder and bowel control.
Symptoms of CES include sudden, severe lower back pain, weakness or numbness in both legs, and a distinct loss of sensation in the “saddle area” (groin, buttocks, and inner thighs). CES also involves severe bowel and bladder dysfunction, which may present as complete loss of control, retention (inability to urinate or have a bowel movement), or reduced sensation. Immediate medical attention, often requiring emergency surgery, is necessary to prevent permanent nerve damage and long-term disability.
Seeking Professional Help and Treatment
Anyone experiencing bowel changes alongside symptoms of a herniated disc should consult a healthcare professional. This is important if symptoms develop suddenly or are severe. Diagnosing the connection between a herniated disc and bowel issues involves a physical examination, a neurological assessment, and imaging studies such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). An MRI can visualize the spine and detect disc herniation or nerve compression. In some instances, a myelogram (injecting dye into spinal fluid before X-ray or CT scan) may be used for detailed imaging of nerve pathways.
Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying herniated disc to relieve pressure on affected nerves. Initial management may involve conservative measures like rest, physical therapy, and medication to reduce pain and inflammation. If conservative methods do not provide sufficient relief or in severe cases, surgical intervention may be considered. Surgical procedures, such as a microdiskectomy, aim to remove the disc portion compressing the nerves. For Cauda Equina Syndrome, immediate emergency care is needed, as timely surgical decompression offers the best chance for recovery of nerve function.