Very often, with osteochondrosis, the stomach hurts due to a violation of the innervation of internal organs. As scientists have established, irritable bowel syndrome in 90% of cases is associated with damage to the radicular nerves and dural membranes of the spinal cord in the lumbar and sacral areas. Also, any pathology of the lumbosacral plexus can contribute to the development of spasms in the intestines.
To understand why the stomach hurts with osteochondrosis, you need to understand the anatomy and physiology, understand how and why this disease develops. So, let's start with the fact that osteochondrosis is a degenerative dystrophic disease of the intervertebral discs. It leads to dorsopathy and neuropathy, compression of the radicular nerves, curvature of the spinal column, damage to spinal cord structures, etc.
Osteochondrosis is based on the principle of disruption of the diffuse nutrition of cartilage fiber. Each intervertebral disc consists of an outer dense membrane (annulus fibrosus) and an internal pulposus (nucleus pulposus). The intervertebral disc does not have its own capillary blood network. It receives fluid and dissolved nutrients through diffuse exchange with the surrounding paravertebral muscles and the endplate that separates it from the vertebral body.
If the back muscles do not experience sufficient systematic physical activity, then their biochemical metabolic process slows down and they lose the ability to nourish the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs. When pressure on the spinal column increases with partial dehydration of the intervertebral discs, the process of sclerosis of the capillaries in the thickness of the endplate starts.
After this, total dehydration of the fibrous ring begins and it begins to take fluid from the nucleus pulposus located inside it. As a result, the height of the intervertebral disc decreases and it ceases to protect the radicular nerves extending from the spinal cord. Can the stomach hurt at this stage (protrusion) with osteochondrosis? Of course, since there is a traumatic effect on the radicular nerves responsible for the functioning of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity.
Can osteochondrosis radiate to the stomach at an earlier stage? Yes, it can, since with initial degenerative changes, increased muscle tone is observed, including the obliques. They strain excessively, trying to compensate for the lack of functionality of the intervertebral discs. This provokes pain.
Can lumbar osteochondrosis radiate to the abdomen at later stages, when a hernia forms and sequesters it? Yes, it can, since an intervertebral hernia has an irritating effect on all surrounding soft tissues, provoking a constant process of inflammation. The nerve fiber is affected, and the tissues of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity and pelvis begin to change pathologically.
If your stomach hurts due to lumbar osteochondrosis, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. This can be either a negative consequence of a degenerative dystrophic process in the cartilaginous tissues of the intervertebral discs, or the development of a completely different pathological process. It is important to promptly exclude dangerous diseases such as cholelithiasis and urolithiasis, acute pancreatitis and pancreatic necrosis, intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers. With all these pathologies, abdominal pain may be accompanied by pain in the lumbar region. Therefore, it is important to correctly carry out differential diagnosis.
If you have abdominal pain due to lumbar osteochondrosis, then visit a vertebrologist or neurologist. In Moscow, you can make a free appointment with these doctors at our manual therapy clinic. At the bottom of this page you will find a form to make an appointment with a doctor. Fill out all its fields and a clinic specialist will contact you. He will agree on a time convenient for the visit and all other aspects. The first appointment is free for all patients.
Why does my stomach hurt from lumbar osteochondrosis?
Let's continue to understand the question of why the stomach hurts with osteochondrosis and what negative changes can be observed. So, above we have already figured out how osteochondrosis occurs - a degenerative dystrophic disease of the intervertebral discs. Now let's talk about the role and function of intervertebral discs.
The lumbar spine consists of five massive vertebral bodies, separated from each other by cartilaginous intervertebral discs. At the junction of the lumbar and sacral regions there is the conditional center of gravity of the human body,
On the sides of the sacrum are the iliosacral joints, with the help of which the lower limbs are attached to the spinal column. This is where the maximum shock-absorbing load that occurs when walking and running is transmitted.
Intervertebral discs are responsible for uniform load distribution. They also protect the radicular nerves from compression by changing the position of the vertebral bodies when bending, twisting and turning the human torso.
The stomach hurts from lumbar osteochondrosis in the following cases:
- the nerve plexuses (lumbosacral and cauda equina) are pinched, resulting in disruption of the innervation of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity and small pelvis;
- there is a decrease in intestinal motility due to impaired innervation, spastic colitis, volvulus, etc. may occur);
- a decrease in motility of the muscular lining of the stomach develops, food begins to linger in its cavity, provoking the destruction of the mucous membrane under the influence of hydrochloric acid;
- Biliary dyskinesia may occur, as a result of which constipation begins to alternate with profuse diarrhea;
- with a decrease in muscle tone, the position of the visceral organs is disrupted and their function suffers.
Also, the stomach with lumbar osteochondrosis can hurt as a result of excessive muscle tension, curvature of the spine, due to displacement of the internal organs of the pelvic cavity, etc.
This condition is extremely dangerous. As noted by researchers, more than 30% of colorectal cancer cases are associated with impaired innervation of areas of the colon. As a result of a long course of lumbar osteochondrosis, the patient begins to suffer from spastic constipation. Against their background, feces accumulate in the cavity of the colon, which provokes genetic changes in the mucous membranes. Their cells begin to mutate and actively degenerate into carcinoids. Therefore, in order to prevent the development of colon cancer, it is necessary to promptly treat the lumbar spine.
Also, patients suffering from degenerative dystrophic changes in the lumbosacral spine often experience the development of scar deformities in the abdominal cavity. They have an increased risk of developing gallstones and urolithiasis. In approximately half of patients, diffuse changes in the tissues of the pancreas are detected, which significantly increases the risk of developing diabetes mellitus.
Symptoms
Pay attention to the symptoms that may occur with osteochondrosis:
- discomfort can occur both in the back and in the stomach;
- pain in the stomach can be localized in one area, so it is easy for the patient to identify it;
- according to assumptions, the pain may not be expressed very deep in the tissues;
- during coughing, sudden movements, pain in the stomach intensifies;
- stiffness appears in the back;
- sometimes belching and heartburn appear;
In this case, you can notice the following:
If the nerve is pinched between the 5th and 8th thoracic vertebrae, the patient experiences pain and general heaviness throughout the entire abdominal cavity.
The pinching between the 7th and 9th thoracic radiates to the right hypochondrium.
When the nerve endings in the 8-9 thoracic vertebrae are affected, you can feel pain in the duodenum.
Severe pain in the stomach indicates pinching in the 9th vertebra.
Pain and spasm of the abdominal muscles with osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis has a direct effect on the abdominal muscles from the very beginning of the development of this disease. With primary degenerative lesions in the cartilaginous tissues of the intervertebral discs, a reflex overstrain of the entire muscle frame in the affected area occurs. Meanwhile, spasm of the abdominal muscles with osteochondrosis entails a number of negative consequences:
- the process of degenerative dystrophic changes in the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc is accelerated;
- there is a gradual smoothing of the natural curve of the spinal column in the lumbar region;
- curvature of the spine may be observed in the lateral projection;
- the position of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity changes, due to which their dysfunction is observed;
- Stagnation of bile begins and stones form in the gall bladder.
Pain in the abdominal muscles with osteochondrosis can provoke their overstrain, which entails a change in intestinal motility. There may be disturbances in the functioning of the bladder.
Only an experienced doctor can make a correct diagnosis when abdominal pain occurs. You should not try to figure out on your own whether it is lumbar osteochondrosis that radiates to the stomach or whether a disease of the internal organs is developing. This may cause you to miss the time needed for emergency treatment. After all, incorrect treatment often serves as a reason for diseases to become chronic. Therefore, you should not sit at home and wonder: is it lumbar osteochondrosis that causes abdominal pain or serious problems with the visceral organs.
For example, with osteochondrosis, pain radiates to the abdomen in the area where the appendix is located. But this may also be inflammation of the appendix, which requires immediate surgical intervention. Otherwise, the appendix will rupture and purulent peritonitis will develop. And this condition is considered fatal. At home, it is impossible to independently distinguish an attack of appendicitis, pancreatitis, biliary or renal colic from manifestations of osteochondrosis. Therefore, do not risk your life and health. Seek medical attention.
The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.
What does back pain indicate?
With the development of lumbar osteochondrosis, degradation of the spine occurs:
- spinal discs are subject to deformation;
- the height of the vertebrae decreases;
- dystrophic processes develop in the spine;
- beak-shaped pointed growth of the vertebrae begins (growth of osteophytes);
- cracking and rupture of the fibrous ring occurs.
As a result of these pathological processes, intervertebral hernias are formed. They put pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, causing painful discomfort in the back (lumbodynia) - the main symptom of lumbar osteochondrosis. In addition to lower back pain, there are a number of other signs of this disease, and without timely treatment they can lead to serious complications.
What to do if osteochondrosis radiates to the stomach
If osteochondrosis radiates to the stomach, the first thing to do is urgently contact a neurologist or vertebrologist. This condition can be dangerous to your health and life. If the structures of the spinal cord are damaged, for example, due to a herniated disc, then there is a high probability of paralysis of the lower body, intestines and bladder. It will be very difficult to restore innervation in the future.
Abdominal pain in osteochondrosis can be eliminated only with an integrated approach to the treatment of degenerative dystrophic changes in the cartilaginous tissues of the intervertebral discs. In our manual therapy clinic, the following safe and effective techniques are used for this:
- manual traction of the spinal column in the lumbar region to restore the normal height of the intervertebral discs and eliminate compression from the radicular nerves and surrounding tissues;
- osteopathy to improve the processes of microcirculation of blood and lymphatic fluid in the tissues surrounding the intervertebral discs;
- massage to relax paravertebral muscles and increase their performance;
- physiotherapy to accelerate the processes of restoration of damaged tissues;
- therapeutic exercises and kinesiotherapy;
- reflexology to launch regeneration processes by using the hidden reserves of the human body.
If you need help with osteochondrosis, you can make a free appointment with a vertebrologist or neurologist at our manual therapy clinic. During the examination, the doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe an individual course of therapy.
Diagnostics
During the examination, it is important to exclude diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and prescribe the correct treatment. You can understand the reason during the examination and when the patient performs simple exercises. Experienced doctors will quickly determine the cause of stomach pain and whether osteochondrosis provokes it.
These specialists work at the First Medical Clinic.
The clinic sees a neurosurgeon, vertebrologist, arthrologist, orthopedist, neurologist, traumatologist, and vascular surgeon. Doctors with the highest medical category and extensive experience. They have a variety of modern non-surgical methods for treating the spine and joints. The techniques are used at any age, with many concomitant chronic diseases and are adapted for older people.
Already at the first appointment, the doctor performs therapeutic procedures that relieve pain and significantly improve the patient’s well-being
To make your treatment not only comfortable, but also affordable, we have provided a system of discounts for preferential categories of citizens.
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Pain in the lower back and abdomen
Such pain always raises suspicion of a spinal disease, such as a tumor or spondylitis with irritation of the thoracic roots on one or both sides. When describing the pain, the patient shows with both hands how it spreads forward in the form of a belt from the spine. With herpes zoster, after the onset of pain, blister-like rashes appear on the skin very quickly.
Pathological mobility of the X (or IX) rib
A rib fracture can cause intense pain in the costal arch area. It occurs more often on the left than on the right, and more often in women than in men. Pain is triggered by certain movements, such as bending or lifting heavy objects. Sometimes there is a constant dull or burning pain. Complete disappearance of pain with intercostal nerve block confirms the diagnosis. Treatment consists of resection of the free end of the broken rib.
Pain in the abdominal wall
Acute pain in the abdominal wall can develop with hemorrhage in the rectus abdominis muscle, for example, during certain gymnastic exercises (roller skating with the stomach). Compression of the anterior branches of the lower thoracic spinal nerves is accompanied by clearly localized pain that occurs with movement. In this case, in the corresponding dermatome, an area of hypoesthesia the size of a 5-ruble coin is sometimes detected. Pain is relieved by infiltration of the relevant nerve with local anesthetic. Pain in the anterior abdominal wall in women always requires the exclusion of endometriosis.
Backache
Back pain is one of the most common pain syndromes encountered in a doctor’s practice. Differential diagnosis can be difficult. It is often difficult to decide which of the many possible causes is causing a given patient's back pain.
Ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew's disease)
The disease, inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, is observed mainly in young men. In the initial stage, damage to the sacroiliac joint develops, as well as small joints of the spine and costovertebral joints, causing gradually increasing pain in the lower back with irradiation to the leg, similar to sciatica, which often worsens at night. Less commonly, pain occurs in the chest, heel bone, or proximal joints. The diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of iritis 9 inflammation of the iris), increased ESR and radiological changes in the sacroiliac joints and, later, the spine (cauda equina syndrome in ankylosing spondylitis).
Spodylolisthesis
Pathogenesis
Spondylolisthesis is based on abnormal lengthening or disruption of the integrity (spondylolysis) of the interarticular part of the arch of the lumbar vertebra. As a result, the vertebral body, together with the upper articular facets, is displaced anteriorly, and the vertebral arch, together with the lower articular facets, remains in place. In 80% of cases, L5 spondylolisthesis is detected, less often L4 and L5 are involved. If the anterior displacement is significant and comparable to the anteroposterior diameter of the underlying vertebral body, then spondyloptosis is diagnosed. Spondylolisthesis occurs in approximately 5% of the population.
Clinical picture
Approximately 90% of cases of spondylolisthesis detected by radiography remain asymptomatic. Both sexes are affected approximately equally often, but subjective symptoms in men are 2 times more common than in women. This suggests that physical stress plays a large role in the onset of pain in spondylolisthesis. The pain usually begins after the growth of the body has completed and is initially nonspecific. There are complaints of vague soreness and limited mobility in the lower back, which usually develop after prolonged sitting or carrying heavy objects. Upon examination, no restrictions in the mobility of the spine are revealed. In thin patients in the corresponding area, it is possible to visually and palpably determine the retraction of the spinous process relative to the one located below. The pelvis is usually tilted posteriorly to compensate for a shift in the center of gravity. Sometimes signs of root damage develop, but true sciatica is rare.
Treatment
Depending on the severity of clinical manifestations, auxiliary means are used in the form of a support cane with three points of support, or surgical fixation of the vertebrae is performed - spinal fusion (usually through an anterior approach.
Baastrup phenomenon (“kissing vertebrae”)
This condition, referred to as “interspinous osteoarthritis” or “kissing vertebrae,” is based on sclerosis and fusion of the adjacent spinous processes of adjacent lumbar vertebrae. This is not a separate disease, but a consequence of degenerative changes in the lumbar vertebrae. Resection of the spinous processes is carried out in these cases too often and is justified only when pain in the lower back appears when bending backwards, tenderness of the interspinous space is detected on palpation, there are corresponding radiological changes, and with local infiltration with local anesthetic, pain disappears. In addition, other (more common) causes of back pain must be excluded.
Sacroiliac joint syndrome
The syndrome is characterized by painful sensations in the area of the sacroiliac joint, and the pain can also radiate to the sacrum and along the back of the thigh. It can occur or intensify after a sharp rotational movement of the body, when lifting weights, or straightening from an inclined position. The examination reveals local pain in the area of the sacroiliac joint. Pain appears when standing on one leg on the affected side. There is also a reduction in pain when wearing a special trochanteric belt.
Coccydynia
Coccydynia is a painful, nagging, burning pain in the coccyx area. The cause may be sprains, fractures, surgical interventions in the coccyx area, sometimes arachnoid cysts or, what is probably most common, chronic microtrauma, in particular from prolonged sitting on a hard bench (for example, when watching TV). Neurological symptoms are usually absent on examination. On rectal examination, displacement of the coccyx causes pain. It is necessary to exclude inflammatory diseases and tumors of the genital organs and rectum
Compression of branches of spinal nerves
Low back pain may be associated with irritation of the posterior rami of the spinal nerves in the area where they directly contact the capsules of the facet joints. On examination, tenderness is revealed on palpation in the area of the articular facets and the iliac crest. Intense low back pain can be caused not only by changes in the facet joints, but also by mechanical stretching of the posterior branches as they pass through the muscular fascia due to poor posture. At the same level, they can be subject to compression by small hernial protrusions formed by adipose tissue.
Other types of back pain
Much more often than the syndromes described above, nonspecific chronic pain in the lower back of unknown etiology is observed. Only in a small proportion of such cases can back pain be associated with degeneration of the intervertebral discs (osteochondrosis) or arachnoid cysts. In most cases, it is local in nature, although it can be quite intense. It can be constant or occur from time to time - during physical activity. Widespread “nonspecific” back pain is an extremely important human, medical and socio-economic problem. In its occurrence and maintenance, without a doubt, inorganic (psychological and social) factors are of great importance.
Treatment
When back pain is usually found, the cause is damage to the intervertebral discs, but changes in them are revealed by neuroimaging in almost any adult. Widespread ideas about intervertebral disc degeneration as some kind of universal cause of back pain do not have sufficient grounds. It is not surprising that treatment methods based on these ideas (for example, extension exercises) are so often ineffective. In some cases, manual manipulation of trigger points is effective. Some patients benefit from spinal fusion (the level of intervention must be chosen correctly!). It is possible that improving the surgical technique, for example, the use of modern intervertebral implants, will improve its results.
Pain in the iliac region
The cause of pain in the iliac region in women can be varicose veins of the pelvic veins (detected using transvaginal ultrasound or transuterine venography) or gynecological diseases (primarily the endometriosis mentioned above).
Groin pain
Ilioinguinal syndrome, manifested by pain in the groin and a characteristic forced (antalgic) posture with flexion and internal rotation of the hip, is described in the chapter. The snapping tendon of the iliopsoas muscle makes a characteristic noise when moving, but pain is rare. The noise is caused by the tendon sliding across the iliopectineal eminence when the hip is slowly extended from a flexed position while the iliopsoas muscle contracts. When there is pain in the groin, it is always necessary, first of all, to exclude a hernia.