Stomach and Back Pain at the Same Time

Back pain is a common complaint usually caused by a muscle knot or changes to the spine. However, if this back pain radiates to the stomach or your stomach and back pain occur at the same time, it may be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Visit Redefine Healthcare if your pain in the stomach and back is accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, bloating and pain, and burning with urination for accurate diagnosis.

Dr. Eric Freeman helps you understand your condition and comes up with the best treatment plans for coping with pain and improving your quality of life. The specialist explains the reasons behind the discomforting sensations in your stomach and focuses on managing your pain safely and effectively.

There are many reasons for back pain and stomach ache, and many of us suffer from occasional episodes due to one reason or another. While they are both extremely uncomfortable, stomach and back pains happening at the same time are a cause for concern. They may result from an injury or trauma, or there may be a problem with the internal organs located in the area.

Possible Causes of Simultaneously Occurring Stomach and Back Pain

Experiencing stomach and back pain simultaneously once in a while may be a coincidence, but recurring stomach and back pain episodes may indicate something serious. It is best to consult your healthcare provider to have your symptoms checked to rule out any complications.

Possible reasons behind the simultaneous back and stomach pain include:

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas, also known as pancreatitis, can cause upper abdominal pain and back pain. The pancreas is a large gland in the abdomen that produces enzymes for digesting food and converting it into energy. The pain tends to reduce when you lean forward and worsens when irritated, especially with sharp movements like coughing and sneezing.

Symptoms of pancreatitis include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Upper abdominal pain
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Abdominal bloating
• Swollen belly
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea

For people with chronic pancreatitis, the pain is often intermittent and occurs in a familiar pattern, usually after meals. The doctor will suggest blood work and imaging tests to confirm if pancreatitis is the reason for stomach and back pain occurring simultaneously.

Appendicitis

Pain in the lower right stomach is the primary symptom of appendicitis, but many people have also reported back pain while they suffer from inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix, a finger-shaped pouch that projects from the colon on the lower right side of the abdomen, becomes swollen, inflamed, and infected and fills with pus.

Symptoms of appendicitis include:

• Pain in the lower right belly or pain near your navel that moves lower
• Dull or sharp pain anywhere in the upper or lower belly, back, or rear
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting soon after belly pain begins
• Swollen belly
• Fever
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Inability to pass gas

It is crucial to diagnose appendicitis before the appendix bursts or ruptures. Consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms, as appendicitis is an emergency that needs immediate medical attention.

Kidney stones

Your stomach and back pain may occur due to stones in your kidney. This kind of pain usually begins in the back and travels around to the abdomen, or it may cause pain in the lower abdomen that travels towards the upper stomach and back. Most people experience it on one side of the body, as only one kidney has the stones.

Other symptoms of kidney stones are:

• Frequent peeing
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Urinating in small amounts
• Blood in urine
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Sand in urine
• Fever and chills
• Vomiting

Kidney stones can cause inflammation in the kidneys, bladder, and ureters, which increases the risk of infection and cause upper stomach pain. If you suspect kidney stones, it is important to seek medical attention to confirm their presence for the best treatment methods.

Gallstones

Many people have gallstones, but they don’t know it unless they start causing pain. Gallstones are hard deposits or stones found inside the gallbladder, a small organ that stores bile, a digestive fluid produced in the liver. The formation of gallstones tends to block the bile duct, which leads to back and upper right abdomen pain at the same time.

It is difficult to know if you have gallstones unless they start blocking a bile duct and cause pain. The presence of gallstones can result in the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Digestive issues like heartburn and indigestion
• Sudden pain in the gallbladder
• Jaundice
• Light-colored stool and urine

Smaller gallstones can pass through the body on their own, which does not require treatment. However, persistent or severe pain in the back and stomach requires medical attention. Medications can help dissolve the stones, but severe cases require surgery to take out the gallstone.

Peptic ulcers

Peptic ulcers are open sores on the stomach’s lining and upper area of the small intestines. They occur as a result of erosion in the lining of the stomach or the small intestine. When these erosions cause a hole or perforation, they can cause intense pain in the central or upper left abdomen. This pain may also travel to the shoulders and the back as referred pain.

Back pain is unlikely to be associated with peptic ulcers when perforation has not occurred.

Other symptoms of peptic ulcer include:

• Lower abdominal pain
• Abdominal bloating
• Weight loss
• Mild to moderate chest pain
• Lack of appetite
• Dark or blood in feces
• Burping

Peptic ulcers can resolve on their own, but they need several medications and precautions to prevent progressing into serious complications. It is essential to consult a doctor for the best advice on keeping the pain down. He may recommend antibiotics, pain relief medications, and antacids to regulate stomach acid and acid reflux.

When to See a Doctor for Stomach and Back Pain?

It is essential to consult your doctor if home remedies and rest do not ease your pain. Most of the conditions that cause stomach and back pain at the same time require proper diagnosis to identify the source of pain and address it accurately.

The healthcare provider orders blood tests and imaging tests like ultrasounds or MRIs to diagnose your problem or rule out certain conditions and recommend the best treatment method.

Call your doctor immediately in case of the following:

• Nausea that is not improving or worsening with time
• Persistent pain in the upper right portion of the stomach
• Intense stomach pain or itching during pregnancy
• Stomach pain that intensifies after meals or follows another specific pattern
• Pale stool
• Stomach pain accompanied by fever
• Extreme stomach pain that is turning intolerable
• Intense pain in the back radiating to the groin
• Severe pain that begins to interfere with daily activities like eating, sleeping, or walking

In such cases, the pain may be caused by a more serious condition like organ inflammation or cancer. It is best to seek emergency medical help to prevent complications, as these conditions can turn life-threatening if they are not treated timely. Finding out the exact cause of your discomfort can provide lasting relief.

Do not mistake your stomach ache for indigestion, cramps, or gas that will resolve on its own, particularly if it is accompanied by back pain as it could be a sign of an underlying condition. Consult Dr. Eric Freeman for professional guidance for simultaneously occurring upper stomach and backache. Some of these conditions may be trivial, but it is best to see a doctor to prevent the pain from turning severe and rule out any complications. At Redefine Healthcare, you can look forward to the best methods of treatment depending on your diagnosis and symptoms. Dr. Freeman is a board-certified pain management and rehabilitation specialist and helps you cope with the pain and prevents it from coming back.