Back pain
and nausea can often occur together. Sometimes, the pain of a stomach issue can
radiate to the back. Vomiting can also cause pain and tension in the back.
and nausea can often occur together. Sometimes, the pain of a stomach issue can
radiate to the back. Vomiting can also cause pain and tension in the back.
Pain that
radiates from the stomach to the back may signal a problem with an organ such
as the liver or kidneys.
radiates from the stomach to the back may signal a problem with an organ such
as the liver or kidneys.
In this
article, we discuss the causes and other symptoms of back pain and nausea, when
to see a doctor, and some treatment options. We also look at how pregnancy can
increase the risk of nausea and back pain.
article, we discuss the causes and other symptoms of back pain and nausea, when
to see a doctor, and some treatment options. We also look at how pregnancy can
increase the risk of nausea and back pain.
Causes and
symptoms
symptoms
Some common
causes of back pain and nausea include:
causes of back pain and nausea include:
Stomach
virus or food poisoning
virus or food poisoning
Gastroenteritis
causes pain and inflammation in the stomach as the result of an infection.
causes pain and inflammation in the stomach as the result of an infection.
Several
different types of infection can cause gastroenteritis, including norovirus and
food-borne illnesses such as salmonella.
different types of infection can cause gastroenteritis, including norovirus and
food-borne illnesses such as salmonella.
A person
with gastroenteritis may experience intense stomach cramping that radiates to
the back. Sometimes, the condition may cause them to vomit so hard and so
frequently that the muscles of the stomach and back become sore.
with gastroenteritis may experience intense stomach cramping that radiates to
the back. Sometimes, the condition may cause them to vomit so hard and so
frequently that the muscles of the stomach and back become sore.
Some home
remedies to try include limiting the diet to bland, easily digestible foods
such as whole wheat toast to ease the vomiting, and drinking plenty of water to
prevent dehydration.
remedies to try include limiting the diet to bland, easily digestible foods
such as whole wheat toast to ease the vomiting, and drinking plenty of water to
prevent dehydration.
Gastroenteritis
usually clears up on its own, but a person should seek medical care if they:
usually clears up on its own, but a person should seek medical care if they:
- cannot keep
any food down - develop any
symptoms of dehydration, such as sunken eyes - continue
vomiting longer than 24 hours
Liver health
problems
problems
Liver
disease can also cause nausea and back pain. In most cases, the pain begins in
the upper right part of the stomach then radiates to the back.
disease can also cause nausea and back pain. In most cases, the pain begins in
the upper right part of the stomach then radiates to the back.
Liver
conditions such as cirrhosis and liver cancer may cause pain that gets steadily
worse over many months.
conditions such as cirrhosis and liver cancer may cause pain that gets steadily
worse over many months.
Gallbladder
disease, by contrast, can cause pain that slowly gets worse or pain that comes
on suddenly. The gallbladder sits under the liver, in the upper right section
of the abdomen. A person experiencing a gallbladder attack may report sharp,
intense pain in the upper abdomen, especially after eating.
disease, by contrast, can cause pain that slowly gets worse or pain that comes
on suddenly. The gallbladder sits under the liver, in the upper right section
of the abdomen. A person experiencing a gallbladder attack may report sharp,
intense pain in the upper abdomen, especially after eating.
It is not
safe to treat liver health issues at home. A person experiencing these symptoms
should either see a doctor or go to the emergency room.
safe to treat liver health issues at home. A person experiencing these symptoms
should either see a doctor or go to the emergency room.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis
is a condition wherein the pancreas becomes inflamed. It can be either chronic
or acute.
is a condition wherein the pancreas becomes inflamed. It can be either chronic
or acute.
Acute
pancreatitis may cause sudden nausea, as well as pain in the upper abdomen that
radiates to the back.
pancreatitis may cause sudden nausea, as well as pain in the upper abdomen that
radiates to the back.
Other
symptoms include:
symptoms include:
- a swollen or
tender stomach - a racing
heart - fever
- chalky or
light colored bowel movements
Pancreatitis
is a serious and potentially life threatening illness. A person with symptoms
of pancreatitis should not attempt to treat them at home. They need to seek
emergency medical care.
is a serious and potentially life threatening illness. A person with symptoms
of pancreatitis should not attempt to treat them at home. They need to seek
emergency medical care.
Kidney
stones or kidney infection
stones or kidney infection
The kidneys
rest on either side of the mid-back. Experiencing pain in this area, especially
if it is just on one side, may signal either a kidney stone or a kidney
infection. The person may also experience nausea, and they may have pain that
radiates to the groin.
rest on either side of the mid-back. Experiencing pain in this area, especially
if it is just on one side, may signal either a kidney stone or a kidney
infection. The person may also experience nausea, and they may have pain that
radiates to the groin.
Many kidney
stones pass on their own, but it is important to seek medical care to assess
them. A doctor can also offer pain medication.
stones pass on their own, but it is important to seek medical care to assess
them. A doctor can also offer pain medication.
Kidney
infections are very serious and can spread to other areas of the body. A person
with a kidney infection may also:
infections are very serious and can spread to other areas of the body. A person
with a kidney infection may also:
- develop a
fever - have chills
- struggle to
urinate or experience pain when urinating
In most
cases, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
cases, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
Ulcer
An ulcer is
a break in the membrane of the gastrointestinal system. It may appear in the
stomach, intestines, or other digestive organs. These wounds can bleed and cause
intense pain, especially after eating a meal.
a break in the membrane of the gastrointestinal system. It may appear in the
stomach, intestines, or other digestive organs. These wounds can bleed and cause
intense pain, especially after eating a meal.
Some people
with ulcers experience nausea and pain after eating. Most ulcers do not cause
pain to radiate to the back, but deeper ulcers and those near the back may
cause back pain.
with ulcers experience nausea and pain after eating. Most ulcers do not cause
pain to radiate to the back, but deeper ulcers and those near the back may
cause back pain.
To ease the
pain of an ulcer, people can try:
pain of an ulcer, people can try:
- taking
antacids - making
dietary changes - changing
position after eating
It is
important to see a doctor for ulcer-related pain. They may recommend
prescription medication. They will also be able to rule out other causes such
as pancreatitis.
important to see a doctor for ulcer-related pain. They may recommend
prescription medication. They will also be able to rule out other causes such
as pancreatitis.
Diverticular
disease
disease
Diverticular
disease causes small sacs to develop in the lining of the colon. It is very
common, especially as people age.
disease causes small sacs to develop in the lining of the colon. It is very
common, especially as people age.
Some people
may develop a type of inflammation called diverticulitis. This occurs when the
sacs become inflamed. The pouches may even develop painful infections.
may develop a type of inflammation called diverticulitis. This occurs when the
sacs become inflamed. The pouches may even develop painful infections.
Diverticular
disease does not always produce symptoms. However, if they do occur, symptoms
might include:
disease does not always produce symptoms. However, if they do occur, symptoms
might include:
- stomach pain
- pain that
radiates to the back or groin - diarrhea
- constipation
- swelling in
the stomach
If a person
does not seek treatment, diverticulitis can cause bleeding, and it may even
puncture the wall of the colon. For this reason, anyone experiencing back pain,
stomach problems, or nausea should see a doctor.
does not seek treatment, diverticulitis can cause bleeding, and it may even
puncture the wall of the colon. For this reason, anyone experiencing back pain,
stomach problems, or nausea should see a doctor.
When to see
a doctor
a doctor
It can be
difficult to tell one cause of nausea and back pain from another. It is best to
err on the side of caution if symptoms are severe.
difficult to tell one cause of nausea and back pain from another. It is best to
err on the side of caution if symptoms are severe.
A person
should consult a doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms:
should consult a doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- nausea that
lasts for several days or gets progressively worse - pain in the
upper right portion of the stomach - intense
stomach pain or itching during pregnancy - stomach pain
that gets worse after meals or follows a specific pattern over days or weeks
A person
should go to the emergency room if they experience:
should go to the emergency room if they experience:
- symptoms of
pancreatitis, such as pale stool or stomach pain and a fever - intense
stomach pain that feels unbearable - symptoms of
a kidney stone, such as intense back pain that radiates to the groin
Treatments
The right treatment
depends on the cause of the pain. Some home treatment options include:
depends on the cause of the pain. Some home treatment options include:
- eating more
fiber - changing the
diet - drinking
more water - eating
smaller or more frequent meals - avoiding
certain foods, such as very fatty or acidic foods
A doctor may
recommend a range of treatments, including:
recommend a range of treatments, including:
- taking
medication for ulcers - undergoing
surgery to resolve diverticulitis - going to the
hospital, so that doctors can monitor the symptoms of pancreatitis - receiving
intravenous fluids - undergoing
surgery to remove gallstones
Pregnancy
Pregnancy
increases the risk of both nausea and back pain. The pregnancy hormone human
chorionic gonadotropin causes a wide range of symptoms in the first trimester,
which sometimes last into the second trimester. One of the most common symptoms
is nausea with or without vomiting. Some women also notice an increase in back
pain.
increases the risk of both nausea and back pain. The pregnancy hormone human
chorionic gonadotropin causes a wide range of symptoms in the first trimester,
which sometimes last into the second trimester. One of the most common symptoms
is nausea with or without vomiting. Some women also notice an increase in back
pain.
As the
pregnancy progresses, the uterus and baby put more strain on the body. Women
may develop back pain from this added strain, or from the weight gain that
occurs during pregnancy. Later in pregnancy, some women experience nausea due
to pressure on the organs from the uterus.
pregnancy progresses, the uterus and baby put more strain on the body. Women
may develop back pain from this added strain, or from the weight gain that
occurs during pregnancy. Later in pregnancy, some women experience nausea due
to pressure on the organs from the uterus.
Nausea and
back pain during pregnancy can be annoying and exhausting but do not usually
signal a serious problem. However, in the second or third trimester, some women
develop a liver condition called cholestasis.
back pain during pregnancy can be annoying and exhausting but do not usually
signal a serious problem. However, in the second or third trimester, some women
develop a liver condition called cholestasis.
Some
symptoms of cholestasis include:
symptoms of cholestasis include:
- nausea or
loss of appetite - pain in the
upper right portion of the stomach - dark colored
urine - yellow eyes
or skin - stomach pain
that radiates to the back
The most
common and noticeable symptom of cholestasis is itching. Women who have very
itchy skin along with a backache or nausea should call their healthcare
provider.
common and noticeable symptom of cholestasis is itching. Women who have very
itchy skin along with a backache or nausea should call their healthcare
provider.
Summary
When back
pain and nausea occur at the same time, it can be unpleasant or even
debilitating.
pain and nausea occur at the same time, it can be unpleasant or even
debilitating.
Sometimes,
these symptoms will go away on their own. If they do not, it is important to
see a doctor, as they can occur in both severe and minor conditions.
these symptoms will go away on their own. If they do not, it is important to
see a doctor, as they can occur in both severe and minor conditions.
It is
especially important not to ignore nausea that lasts for several days,
especially if there are other symptoms.
especially important not to ignore nausea that lasts for several days,
especially if there are other symptoms.
Medically
reviewed by Kevin Martinez, MD
reviewed by Kevin Martinez, MD
Written by Zawn Villines
SOURCE: MEDICAL NEWS TODAY
Kayode Emmanuel Ojo is the Co-Founder and Managing Director at SHEFFA Limited. He is presently studying Computer Science at the National Open University, Victoria Island, Lagos.