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What are the Causes of Back Ache and Stomach Ache?

Laura M. Sands
Laura M. Sands

A back ache and stomach ache may be caused by menstrual cramps, urinary tract infection or by a kidney disorder, such as a kidney infection. Abdominal pain can also be the direct result of pancreatitis, which can sometimes also cause back pain. For some individuals, these symptoms may also be triggered by emotional stress.

Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, occur as the result of a woman’s uterine muscle contracting and causing a temporary lack of blood flow and oxygen to the muscle. The pain from these cramps is felt in the abdominal area and is often accompanied by lower back pain. Pain caused by menstrual cramps may fluctuate from mild to severe, but typically stops a day or so into the menstrual cycle or after menstrual flow stops. Some women experience a secondary form of dysmenorrhea, however, which may occur at times other than a woman’s menstrual cycle.

A diagram of the stomach and duodenum.
A diagram of the stomach and duodenum.

A urinary tract infection frequently causes back ache and stomach ache. Infection occurs as the result of a bacteria, parasite or fungi invading the urinary system. This type of infection affects the urethra, the kidney or the bladder and may occur in children, women and men of any age.

When kidney infection is part of a urinary tract infection, a person will likely experience back ache and stomach ache at the same time. This will not feel like an upset stomach, however, as abdominal pain will more likely feel like a full bladder producing an urgent need to urinate and may be accompanied by a cramping pain or a dull ache. Other symptoms may include pain in the side and groin area. Individuals experiencing a kidney infection will likely also be affected by nausea, vomiting, fever and blood in the urine.

There are many reasons for an upset stomach.
There are many reasons for an upset stomach.

Pain from pancreatitis may also present as a simultaneous back and stomach ache. This type of pain generally begins in the upper abdominal region before progressing to the back. Other symptoms likely to be found in a person with pancreatitis include fever, abdominal swelling, nausea and an increased pulse rate.

Individuals under severe stress often report simultaneous back ache and stomach ache symptoms. Often, the underlying cause is entirely psychosomatic. These symptoms can, however, be prompted by poor eating habits or overeating caused by stress, which may further cause excessive intestinal gas, bloating and other digestive disorders.

Discussion Comments

anon942264

I suffer a lot with lower back pain along with lower stomach pain. I also get severe migraines.

mitchell14

While it is true that people under a lot of stress can suffer from these symptoms due to psychosomatic causes, that does not change that people with some stress could also become further stressed because of one of these other causes, such as a kidney and urinary tract issue, endometriosis from bad menstrual cramps, or a pancreas problem. If you are under stress and also in pain, try to determine if the stress or the pain came first- either way, going to the doctor might help you figure out how to get well.

behaviourism

Many people have days when they are bothered by slight back or stomach pains, but if you have them often or for several days at a time, you should probably go to a doctor to make sure it is not one of these more serious causes, or solve it if it is.

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    • A diagram of the stomach and duodenum.
      By: Balint Radu
      A diagram of the stomach and duodenum.
    • There are many reasons for an upset stomach.
      By: Kalim
      There are many reasons for an upset stomach.
    • Stress can cause back ache and stomach ache in some people.
      By: Monkey Business
      Stress can cause back ache and stomach ache in some people.
    • An infection in the urinary system can lead to back pain or stomach ache.
      By: 3drenderings
      An infection in the urinary system can lead to back pain or stomach ache.
    • Menstrual cramps typically cause abdominal and lower back pain.
      By: Laurin Rinder
      Menstrual cramps typically cause abdominal and lower back pain.
    • Over exercising can cause a back and stomach ache.
      By: michaeljung
      Over exercising can cause a back and stomach ache.
    • Poor posture can cause lower back pain accompanied by a stomach ache.
      By: aceshot
      Poor posture can cause lower back pain accompanied by a stomach ache.
    • The presence of gallstones may cause a stomach and back ache.
      By: acherst
      The presence of gallstones may cause a stomach and back ache.