Constipation can make you restless, causing discomfort and frustration. Suffering from constipation is the worst thing to happen — unless you also have a fever. If you have both conditions, you might be wondering, “Can constipation cause fever?”
Constipation is not directly responsible for fever. In fact, the presence of both might indicate an underlying condition. Before we go into detail, let us give you an insight into both constipation and fever.
What is Fever?
A medical condition could cause your body to respond with a fever. When bacteria or viruses enter your body, it works to get rid of them. As a result, the temperature of your body increases. This is because the possibility of pathogens surviving is low in higher-than-average temperatures. Furthermore, your immune system gets into action when you have a slightly raised temperature. You might notice the following symptoms if you have a fever:
- High body temperature
- Dehydration
- Feeling weak
- Chills
- Headaches
- Other symptoms occur as well. Hence, having chills could also result from fever, not constipation.
What is Constipation?
Factors like dehydration, dietary changes, medications, or not exercising enough can alter your bowel movements. Consequently, the stool takes longer than usual to pass through the colon. Hence, if you have unusual and altered bowel movements, it might mean you are suffering from constipation. Moreover, constipation also results from bacterial infections. When a bacterial agent reaches your bowel through your mouth, it can cause an infection that leads to constipation.
The following indications might mean that you have constipation:
- Feeling like there’s a blockage that prevents you from pooping
- Painful bowel movements
- Having less than three bowel movements per week
- Abdominal pain
- Bowel movements require pressure and pain
- In short, changes in your bowel movements, especially if it takes long, could mean you are constipated. Visit a doctor to treat your issue.
Can Constipation Be the Cause of Fever?
If you look at constipation and fever separately, you’ll realize that one does not cause the other. Therefore, if you have fever and constipation at the same time, there might be a single culprit to be blamed for both. Usually, bacterial infections are the reason why you might suffer from fever and constipation simultaneously.
Infection occurs from bacteria, the same bacteria which raise the temperature of your body. In simple terms, it is not constipation that can cause fever. The real culprit is the bacterial agent that causes constipation since it leads to a fever too. Your body raises the temperature slightly to eliminate the infection or bacteria that cause constipation.
This is also true for children. An infection can occur in a baby that leads to constipation, which, in turn, causes fever. Thus, constipation does not cause fever in a baby — there is an underlying reason for it to happen. Constipation and fever might be associated with each other, but they’re not responsible for each other.
What’s The Takeaway?
Are you wondering if constipation can cause fever? The answer is no. They might share the cause — bacterial agent — but that’s it. Moreover, you can have one without the other. So in case you have constipation, fever, or both, visit your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Our Gastroenterology team can help you with constipation and other gastrointestinal issues. Dial (281) 357 1977 to talk to us now. You can also visit us at 421 School St., Suite 110, Tomball, TX 77375.