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Can Constipation Cause Nausea? Symptoms & Tips For Relief

Have you ever wondered if constipation can lead to nausea? While it may seem counterintuitive, the answer is yes. 

This article explores the link between the two and how you can identify whether constipation is the cause or whether it could be something completely different. 

Constipation occurs when the bowels do not fully empty themselves of stool. When stool is not passed in a timely fashion, the water (that’s in it to help it pass) is reabsorbed by the large intestine. This makes the stool dry and difficult to pass over time.

Symptoms of Constipation

Symptoms of constipation include:

  • Infrequent bowel movements
  • Difficulty passing stool
  • Hard stool
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Rectal discomfort
  • Feelings of incomplete bowel movements
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Straining during a bowel movement

Symptoms of Nausea

On the other hand, symptoms of nausea may include:

  • Stomach discomfort
  • Increased saliva production
  • An unsettled feeling in your stomach
  • Sweating
  • Dizziness/lightheadedness
  • Loss of appetite

This is important to understand because the symptoms of nausea caused by constipation can be similar. It is also important to understand that nausea can vary based on its etiology, or cause. For example, eating rotten food or acquiring a “stomach bug” can also cause nausea.  

The GI tract can be compared to the plumbing in a home or building. When there is a blockage in the piping of a building or home, eventually, the blockage causes everything entering to back up and come out of the entrance instead of the exit. This is also true for the GI tract. If the body cannot pass the stool through a regular bowel movement, creating a blockage, it will make an effort to rid itself of the toxin buildup inside via nausea and potentially, vomiting. 

The Symptoms of Nausea Caused by Constipation

The symptoms of nausea caused by constipation can include: 

  • Generalized abdominal discomfort
  • Bloating
  • Indigestion or a feeling of abdominal fullness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Reflex vomiting due to a build-up of toxins not removed by a regular bowel movement

Constipation can be caused by eating a diet low in fiber, dehydration, lack of physical activity, ignoring the need to have a bowel movement, medications, pregnancy, various pre-existing medical conditions, changes in routine or lifestyle and even age. With all of this in mind, how do you manage and relieve nausea caused by constipation? 

How To Relieve Nausea from Constipation

To relieve nausea due to constipation, it is critical to first relieve the root cause. Treating nausea alone does not resolve constipation.

There are many home remedies that can be used to relieve constipation in the early stages such as prune juice, warm beverages, increasing oral fluid intake (if you do not require certain fluid restrictions due to another medical condition), gentle abdominal massage, probiotics, increasing fiber intake and if needed, over-the-counter laxatives, oral osmotics, stool softeners and bulk-forming agents. Safe over-the-counter medications include the following: 

  • Dulcolax (can be taken orally or by anal suppository): Dulcolax is a STIMULANT. It stimulates intestinal movement and works to remove the stool in the large intestine. 
  • Docusate Sodium/Colace: These medications are stool SOFTENERS. They add moisture to the stool making it easier to pass.
  • Miralax/Milk of Magnesia: These medications are oral OSMOTICS. They pull fluid back into the large intestine to make the stool easier to pass. 
  • Benefiber/Metamucil/Citrucel: These work by forming BULK in order to stimulate normal bowel contraction.

To aid in relief of these symptoms, there are also lifestyle changes that can be implemented. These include dietary changes (e.g. increasing fiber intake), regularly exercising, and drinking more fluids. It is advised that you speak with a medical professional regarding the management of these symptoms, particularly if you have conditions that limit you from making certain lifestyle and dietary changes due to another pre-existing condition.  

Other Health Concerns that can Cause Nausea

Nausea can be caused by more than just constipation. Other causes of nausea include: 

  • Gastrointestinal syndromes such as the “stomach flu”, acid reflux, stomach ulcers and inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis). Syndromes like these are caused by external factors such as food poisoning and stress.
  • Pregnancy can cause nausea due to hormonal changes that occur in the body. 
  • Many medications list nausea as a common side effect. 
  • Emotional factors such as stress, anxiety and excitement. 
  • Inner ear conditions and motion sickness. 
  • Other serious conditions such as pancreatitis, kidney disease and certain cancers.

When Constipation Becomes an Emergency

You should seek medical attention if you are exhibiting any of the following signs and symptoms: 

  • Severe, unrelieved abdominal pain
  • Fever
  • Bloody stools
  • Vomiting
  • Significant weight loss

All of these could be indicators of a larger issue such as a bowel obstruction; which, if left unattended, can be life-threatening. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you are exhibiting the above symptoms while constipated. 

It is also important to pay attention to sudden onset constipation in older adults with diabetes or neurological conditions. This could be an indicator of a more significant underlying issue that will need prompt medical attention. 

UCF Health’s Approach to Managing Constipation and Nausea

UCF Health can help you to maintain a healthy lifestyle with an experienced team of lifestyle medicine specialists in Orlando, Florida. If a more serious underlying cause of nausea is identified, you will be assigned to one of our relevant specialists. 

Conclusion

Nausea associated with constipation is best managed by treating constipation first. Constipation can initially be managed with a combination of dietary modification and over-the-counter medications such as laxatives, oral osmotics and/or bulk-forming agents. However, if the symptoms of constipation and nausea persist and do not improve, it is important to seek prompt medical attention. 

In order to prevent constipation and maintain gut health in the future, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle through dietary modification (high-fiber foods), increasing oral fluid intake (as directed by a physician) and exercise. The Lifestyle Medicine doctors at UCF Health offer a wealth of information regarding these topics.