The relationship between back pain and gastrointestinal diseases

gastrointestinal tract

stomach ulcer

stress

pancreatitis

The entire group of gastrointestinal diseases has a number of general and specific symptoms. In addition to the general clinical symptoms characteristic of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, symptoms such as abdominal and back pain . If this symptom occurs in combination with other signs of gastrointestinal abnormalities, then their relationship can be traced. Regardless of previously diagnosed or undiagnosed diseases of the digestive system, the appearance of back pain is a direct indication for seeking advice from a gastroenterologist.

Diagnosis of pain in the lower abdomen and lower back

When contacting a gynecologist at a multidisciplinary CELT clinic, to make a correct diagnosis you will need:

• collecting information about the frequency and duration of pain in the lower abdomen and lower back
  , clarifying the nature of pain and their relationship with the monthly cycle;
• conducting an initial medical examination;
• conducting general and special laboratory tests;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
• if indicated, consultations with related specialists (urologist, gastroenterologist, surgeon, neurologist) to exclude diseases not related to the genital organs;
• if indicated, diagnostic laparoscopic examination.

Causes of pain

If you have pain in the lower abdomen and lower back
, this may be a symptom:

• the beginning of menstruation (may be normal);
• inflammatory process localized in the pelvic organs, including infectious ones (chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, etc.);
• endometriosis;
• uterine fibroids or other pelvic tumors;
• hyperplastic conditions of the endometrium;
• adhesions in the pelvis;
• ovarian cysts;
• tuberculous lesions of the reproductive organs;
• increasing the tone of the piriformis muscle, located between the sacrum and the femur;
• incorrect location of the uterus - congenital or acquired due to weakening of the muscles of the abdominal wall;
• diseases of other organs located in the pelvis - intestines, urinary system, etc.;
• long-term sexual dissatisfaction and other conditions.

Mechanism of pain

An important aspect of the formation of pain from the stomach, radiating to the back, is the general innervation of neighboring organs from the sympathetic ganglia of the celiac trunk, as well as the parasympathetic fibers of the vagus nerve. Through them, through different branches, there is a connection with all the structures of the abdomen.

Pain signals are transmitted reflexively to the spinal centers, which are also involved in regulating the tone of the muscular system of the back, lower back, kidneys, and adrenal glands.

If the intensity is excessive, they overlap each other, and the patient feels referred soreness in the back muscles, between the shoulder blades. Usually the pathological process begins long before the onset of pain. The body has a reserve (threshold) of sensitivity.

In order for pain receptors to react, the following changes must occur in tissues:

• destruction of nerve endings and cells at the ganglion level (destruction);
• obstruction of blood circulation, disruption of blood supply leads to ischemia with oxygen deficiency and subsequent atrophic processes;
• accumulation and stagnation of fluid, effusion into the intercellular space;
• inflammation.

These processes lead to local compression of nerve cells. Through the spinal cord, the signal enters the brain and is regarded by the body as a need for help. Stable communication is used in medicine as a treatment method. Specialists in massage and acupuncture know the skin and muscle areas of influence on radiating pain of gastric origin.

On the other hand, the pain mechanism makes differential diagnosis difficult, since it can be difficult to figure out why the patient is bothered by pain at the level of the stomach, but in the back. It is necessary to completely eliminate the following manifestations:

• osteochondrosis of the thoracic or lumbar region;
• pyelonephritis (kidney inflammation), hydronephrosis;
• herniated intervertebral discs;
• other pathology of the gastrointestinal tract.

In patients with tuberculosis, rheumatism, when the stomach and back hurt at the same time, they think about the negative effect of drug treatment on the stomach and active specific inflammation in the joints of the spine.

A hernia in the intervertebral canal causes compression of the nerve roots

To clarify the nature of the pain, examination data are reviewed and a connection with food intake is identified. Stomach pain usually occurs some time after eating. They are provoked by eating disorders, alcohol and stress.

And pain of the neurological and joint type is more likely to accompany injuries, physical overload, and is provoked by hypothermia, previous respiratory diseases, and sore throat.

Diagnostics

During a physical examination, the doctor determines areas of hyperesthesia and performs superficial and deep palpation of the epigastric zone. The variety of causes of pain in the upper abdomen requires the gastroenterologist to use a whole range of laboratory and instrumental methods. The most informative tests for diagnosis are:

• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
  A simple and non-invasive method that detects signs of inflammatory processes, ulcerative defects and neoplasms in the epigastrium. Using ultrasound, the doctor evaluates the anatomical and functional features of the gastrointestinal tract, confirms or excludes typical diseases (calculous cholecystitis, pancreatitis, hernia).
• X-ray methods.
  A survey radiograph is not very informative, so radiography with oral contrast is used for examination. The study is necessary to detect ulcerative defects, pyloric stenosis, and diaphragmatic hernia. Using this method, the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract is assessed.
• EFGDS.
  The most informative method that allows you to visualize inflammatory and erosive changes in the walls of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. EGD with biopsy is used for the differential diagnosis of ulcers, benign and malignant neoplasms of the gastric zone.
• Laboratory methods
  . The standard complex includes clinical blood and urine tests, coprogram, and glucose level measurement. To identify gastritis and peptic ulcers, a study of gastric juice and a rapid urease test for H. pylori are informative. To exclude chronic bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, the Gregersen reaction is performed.
• Additional Research
  . To confirm the diagnosis of hyperacid gastritis, intragastric pH-metry is required. The functional abilities of the stomach are assessed using electrogastrography and radionuclide scintigraphy. A CT scan is performed for detailed visualization of the abdominal organs.

In case of sharp pain reminiscent of the symptoms of an “acute abdomen”, the patient must be examined by a surgeon. If extra-abdominal processes are suspected, consultations with specialized specialists are prescribed: cardiologist, pulmonologist, neurologist. Patients with suspected psychogenic causes of epigastric pain should be examined by a psychiatrist.

Gastroscopy

Other causes of back and stomach pain

An equally common cause of abdominal pain can be gastritis. It is characterized by nagging pain that is often difficult to bear. With such pain, it is possible to establish a diagnosis of an advanced stage, when the stomach, gall bladder, and pancreas are susceptible to damage.

The clinic usually prescribes tests to determine the exact cause and only after that treatment begins. To relieve back pain, it is important to follow a diet and also attend massage sessions. If the prospect of regularly going for a massage does not make you happy, you can pay attention to the equipment that we offer. If you want to feel relief, pay attention to a free massage session on our equipment.

No less common is the gastrological variant of myocardial infarction, in which a person feels pain in the stomach and abdomen, is in a pre-fainting state, his blood pressure decreases, and his heartbeat increases. In this case, the suspicion of myocardial infarction is more justified than ever.

In general, back pain is quite common and does not always result from problems with the musculoskeletal system. If you apply all the tips for diagnosis and treatment, you can eliminate not just the symptoms, but also the causes of their occurrence. Don't forget that we offer high quality equipment for back pain relief.

With our equipment, you will not have to visit massage parlors and pay huge amounts of money. If you don’t believe in relief, visit our free massage session and you will be convinced of the opposite.

Symptoms

Pain in the lower abdomen and lower back
can be of different types:

• pain of a pulling or aching nature, localized in the lower abdomen, sometimes radiating to the lumbar area, anus or thigh;
• pain that increases with increased physical activity, hypothermia or sexual contact;
• pain accompanied by nausea, dizziness, tachycardia;
• long-term pain that intensifies with the onset of menstruation, but does not disappear after its end.

In any of these cases, you must immediately visit a gynecologist who can determine the exact cause of the pain.

Treatment

Help before diagnosis

If epigastric pain suddenly appears, you should not take painkillers before visiting a doctor, so as not to blur the clinical picture. If a chronic gastrointestinal disease is diagnosed, to reduce pain it is necessary to adhere to dietary recommendations and avoid provoking factors. In case of food poisoning, you need to rinse your stomach and use sorbents.

Conservative therapy

Treatment begins with non-drug measures: diet therapy, normalization of the daily routine and abandonment of bad habits, elimination of risk factors for the underlying disease. Medicines are selected only after a full diagnosis and identification of the root cause of the pain syndrome. The main groups of medications that are prescribed for pain in the upper abdomen:

• Painkillers
  . In the absence of medicinal gastropathy, medications from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain. They are supplemented with antispasmodics and prokinetics, which normalize gastrointestinal motility and eliminate discomfort.
• Enzymes.
  Preparations of gastric juice and digestive enzymes are used for pain caused by malabsorption and maldigestion. Their long-term use improves a person’s well-being and eliminates symptoms of nutritional deficiency.
• Antisecretory agents
  . Drugs that reduce the acidity of gastric secretions quickly eliminate pain caused by hyperacidity. They promote the healing of defects in the gastric mucosa.
• Antibiotics
  . Specific three- and four-component regimens with antibacterial drugs are indicated for the eradication of H. pylori. Antibiotics are recommended for bacterial pneumonia and pleurisy, exacerbation of cholecystitis.

Features of the location of the stomach

The back area is traditionally considered to be the back surface of the body from the neck to the buttocks. Most often, irradiation occurs in the lower back. This place has more precise landmarks and is anatomically fixed along the lower ribs and the lumbosacral joint.

The anatomical location of the stomach and neighboring organs is always assessed in relation to the vertebrae:

• the entrance is located to the left of the spine, at the level of the X–XI thoracic vertebrae;
• pyloric part (exit) - on the right, opposite the XII thoracic–I lumbar.

The lesser curvature intersects the spinal column from left to right and down. The lower pole of the greater curvature can descend to the level of the iliac crests of the pelvis. In the stomach area are located:

• in front - the liver with its left lobe;
• the spleen surrounds the organ behind, above and to the left;
• directly behind is the pancreas;
• Below is the small intestine.