Diarrhoea and back pain are symptoms that can indicate a large variety of conditions. Some conditions are relatively minor and can be alleviated through changes in diet, while other conditions are medical emergencies that might require hospitalisation, surgery and aggressive antibiotic measures. Patients suffering from persistent diarrhoea and back pain should make an appointment with their doctor.
Acute Appendicitis
Diarrhoea and back pain are symptoms of acute appendicitis, which is an inflammation of the appendix. If you have appendicitis, the appendix must be immediately removed or else it will burst and cause an infection in the abdominal cavity. Pain can be felt all around the abdominal area and also nausea, vomiting, a fever and an inability to pass gas.
Addison's Disease
Addison's disease is a hormone disorder that affects the releasing of adrenal corticosteroids. In addition to back pain and diarrhoea, this condition can cause weight loss, weakness, hypotension, a darkening of the skin, mood changes, dizziness and fainting. When this condition enters into a addisonian crisis, back pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, low blood sugar, coma and death can occur.
Chronic Pancreatitis
Alcohol abuse can lead to chronic pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. In addition to back pain and diarrhoea, sufferers of pancreatitis experience weight loss and malnutrition. This condition is also associated with diabetes. Reducing alcohol intake can help with this condition.
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a swelling of the digestive system, ulcers, holes in the digestive system that lead to infection and malnutrition. Crohn's disease seems to have a genetic basis, since this condition seems to run in families. Since eating is difficult, those with Crohn's disease sometimes have to rely on nutritional supplements, liquid diets and even intravenous feeding in extreme cases.
Endometriosis
With endometriosis, uterine tissue ends up in the abdomen. This can cause very heavy menstruation, abdominal and back pain, diarrhoea, nausea, indigestion and infertility. Those with endometriosis are prescribed pain medications.
Meningitis
Membranes that surround the brain and spinal column can become infected, leading to headaches, fever, nausea, diarrhoea and back pain. This condition can lead to brain damage, shock, coma and even death. This condition is a medical emergency that usually requires hospitalisation. Patients are given antibiotics to fight the infection.
Peptic Ulcer
Peptic ulcers are infected sores found within the stomach. These ulcers can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal and back pain. Peptic ulcers are treated with antibiotics and a special diet of foods that do not irritate the ulcer.