Can Constipation Cause a Headache?

Headaches and constipation can occur at the same time due to underlying conditions. Sometimes, stress from being constipated may also trigger a headache.

If you experience a headache when you’re constipated, you may think that your sluggish bowel is the culprit.

It’s unclear, though, whether headaches are a direct result of constipation. Instead, headaches and constipation may be side effects of an underlying condition.

Constipation occurs when you have fewer than three bowel movements per week. When you do have bowel movements, you may:

have stools that are hard and difficult to pass
feel like you’re not fully finishing bowel movements
have a feeling of fullness in your rectum

Headache is pain anywhere in your head. It may be all over or on one side. It may feel sharp, throbbing, or dull. Headaches may last a few minutes or for days at a time. There are several types of headaches, including:

sinus headache
tension headache
migraine attacks
cluster headaches
chronic headache

When headaches and constipation occur on their own, it may be nothing to worry about. Everyone experiences them now and then. You may simply need to have more fiber and water or find ways to better cope with stress.

One of the most important and most popular changes to the health insurance landscape brought about by the passing of the Affordable Care Act was the prohibition against denying patients health insurance, or charging them more, if they had preexisting conditions. Research shows that 27% of Americans in the 18 to 64 age group have what would have been considered a “declinable medical condition” before the Affordable Care Act took effect, and in some regions, the percentage of patients with preexisting conditions rises to nearly four in 10, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

If headaches and constipation happen at the same time on a regular basis, you may have an underlying chronic condition. Keep reading to learn more about the possible conditions.

Fibromyalgia

Classic symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

muscle aches and pain
joint aches and pain
fatigue
sleep problems
memory and mood problems

Other symptoms may also occur, such as constipation and headaches, which may vary in severity.

Many people with fibromyalgia also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Roughly 33% of people diagnosed with IBS are later diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and 48% of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia later receive a diagnosis of IBS. IBS causes periods of constipation and diarrhea. Your symptoms may alternate between the two.

Headache and migraine are common among people with fibromyalgia. Research suggests 45%–80% of people with fibromyalgia experience migraine.

Mood disorders

Constipation and headache may be symptoms of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Research suggests a strong link between constipation and psychiatric disorders.

Stress, anxiety, and depression are common headache triggers. Migraine episodes, tension headaches, or chronic headaches may occur daily.

In some cases, constipation and headaches trigger a vicious cycle. You may be more stressed because of constipation, which in turn causes more stress-related headaches.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by unrelenting fatigue and lethargy. The fatigue you feel with CFS is not the same as being tired after a restless night. It’s a debilitating exhaustion that doesn’t improve after sleeping. Headaches are a common symptom of CFS.

Research indicates a possible overlap between conditions like CFS and IBS.

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten intolerance. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Symptoms occur when you consume foods or beverages containing gluten. Gluten may also be found in less-obvious places, such as:

condiments
sauces
gravies
cereal
yogurt
instant coffee

There are many possible symptoms of celiac disease, including headache and constipation.

Medications

Some medications may cause constipation and headaches. For example, opioids may cause constipation. Using them long-term may cause rebound headaches. Rebound headaches are also known as medication-overuse headaches. They’re triggered by extended use of certain medications.

If you regularly take prescription medications, check with your pharmacist to see whether the drugs may be responsible for your symptoms.

Figuring out what’s causing your constipation and headaches may be challenging. Your doctor may choose to treat each condition separately instead of searching for a common cause.

If you believe the two are related, tell your doctor. Also, tell them about any other persistent symptoms you have, such as:

To help your doctor figure out what’s going on, consider writing down how often you have bowel movements and headaches. Note if you’re constipated when headaches occur. You can also track periods of stress and anxiety and write down whether constipation and headaches happen during those times.

Many chronic illnesses have vague symptoms and are difficult to diagnose. In some cases, there are no definitive tests. Your doctor may make a diagnosis by excluding other conditions that have similar symptoms. It may take more than one visit and several tests to get the right diagnosis.

Treatment for constipation and headaches will depend on the cause of these symptoms. If they’re related to IBS, a high fiber diet with proper amounts of daily fluids may help. If you have celiac disease, you must eliminate all gluten from your diet for symptom relief.

Anxiety and other mood disorders may be treated with psychotherapy and medication. Pain medication, therapy, and gentle exercise may help relieve headaches and constipation caused by fibromyalgia.

Taking care of yourself is the best way to prevent any health condition. This means eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and learning to manage stress.

It’s important to identify what’s causing your headaches and constipation so that you can work with your doctor to prevent them. Once you’ve treated any underlying problems, your headaches and constipation should improve.