Do you experience back pain after you eat a large meal? Show
You might assume that the pain is related to digestive issues, since it can appear somewhat out of the blue. To determine if your back pain is related to gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), you will need to look at your other symptoms, specifically heartburn, as heartburn can travel from your chest and throat to your lower back and between your shoulder blades. GERD can feel like an uncomfortable burning sensation in the back of the throat, a tightness in the chest, and an upset stomach. Usually brought on by eating a meal too quickly or eating too much, an attack of GERD can leave you feeling debilitated, perhaps especially when back pain is present as well. What is Acid Reflux?If you’ve ever had a sour taste in your throat after you’ve eaten too quickly, consumed a large meal, or if you’ve felt a burning in your esophagus and a tightness in your chest, it’s likely you were experiencing acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid or bile enters the lower esophageal sphincter and irritates the pipe lining. This may make it difficult to swallow, to speak, and is generally uncomfortable. If you have acid reflux, while your instinct may be to get in bed and relax, lying down may actually make it worse. Most cases will go away on their own in a few hours aided by over-the-counter medications or home remedies, but if you experience acid reflux and back pain regularly, you should see a doctor. SymptomsIf you think your back pain is caused by acid reflux, you may have any or all the following symptoms:
CausesThere are several causes of acid reflux and back pain. These include:
Back Pain Caused by Acid RefluxExperiencing sharp pain in your chest and back? Here’s why it happens and some risks and warnings to look out for. Why It HappensIf not effectively treated, acid reflux can turn into chronic cases of GERD. The symptoms of GERD include heartburn which can cause lower back pain. The pain in your chest and throat can radiate to your lower back. Hunching over while eating a large meal can trigger this back pain as well, as your posture may apply more pressure on your stomach and diaphragm and affect your ability to digest food clearly. Risks and WarningsIf you are experiencing chronic cases of GERD and heartburn, you may notice an increased intensity in your symptoms. Your chest pain may radiate to your back between your shoulder blades, lower back, and down into your abdomen. You should visit a doctor if your heartburn is manifesting as increased back pain. Treating Back Pain Caused from Acid RefluxYour impulse when experiencing nausea from acid reflux may be to lie down. Lying down can actually aggravate your acid reflux more, so instead consider finding a calm, quiet place to sit for a while. To alleviate back pain brought on by acid reflux, improve your posture when you sit to stretch out your diaphragm. In most cases, acid reflux can be treated with home remedies, lifestyle changes, and over-the-counter medications. Lifestyle Changes
MedicationsSome medications can be helpful in treatment of acid reflux, including those that are available over-the-counter and some that you may need a prescription to obtain.
At-Home RemediesThere are also some at-home remedies that may be helpful, including the following:
When to See a DoctorIt’s time to see a doctor when you have explored your options with home remedies, over-the-counter medications, and lifestyle changes and are still suffering from GERD regularly. Ongoing symptoms could indicate a more serious health condition. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately:
Mild cases of acid reflux can be treated with over-the-counter medicine, but recurring or severe symptoms could indicate a more serious health condition and if you’re experiencing them, you should see a doctor. More than likely, they will do a physical examination and potentially order other tests such as an endoscopy. Your doctor may also want to do a blood or stool test to determine if your recurring GERD is the result of a bacterial infection that will need antibiotic treatment. How K Health Can HelpDid you know you can access online urgent care with K Health? Check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed, text with a healthcare provider in minutes. K Health’s AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and is based on 20 years of clinical data. Frequently Asked QuestionsHow long does back pain caused by acid reflux last? Depending on the cause, you could experience back pain, chest pain, and other effects of heartburn for two hours or longer. Is there lasting damage caused by back pain from acid reflux? It’s likely that ongoing back pain experienced from GERD is exacerbated back pain from another underlying issue and you should consult your doctor. If you have recurring cases of GERD, you could develop a painful ulcer or bleeding of the esophagus. Will back pain caused by acid reflux go away by itself? It can, but there are several available treatments to alleviate your pain. Consider taking NSAIDs to relieve back pain and antacids to help acid reflux. K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Why does the middle of my back hurt when I swallow food?Reasons for feeling pain in your back while eating are wide-ranging and include simple causes such as poor posture or more serious conditions such as stomach ulcers. If your back pain is consistently triggered by eating and the pain is severe, or doesn't resolve itself within a few days, contact your doctor.
Why does my back hurt between my shoulder blades when I swallow?Acid Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may cause referred pain to the back in the area between the shoulder blades. Other symptoms of GERD include: Chest discomfort or ache. Hoarse voice.
Why does my chest and back hurt when swallowing?Overview. Esophagitis (uh-sof-uh-JIE-tis) is inflammation that may damage tissues of the esophagus, the muscular tube that delivers food from your mouth to your stomach. Esophagitis can cause painful, difficult swallowing and chest pain.
Can you feel esophagus pain in your back?Because of the intensity of heartburn associated with GERD, pain may radiate from the referred area of the esophagus to your lower back.
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