Back pain and bloating may be caused by digestive problems such as bladder or urinary tract infections, kidney infections, gallstones, low-functioning gallbladder, irritable bowel syndrome, or food allergies. After ruling out other possibilities, a doctor may prescribe medications or herbal remedies to help alleviate symptoms. It’s important to seek medical attention to rule out more serious conditions.
When experiencing back pain and bloating, it is best for sufferers to rule out common digestive problems first. Digestive problems are the most likely reason for bloating, and back pain can accompany this symptom with problems such as a bladder or urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney infection. Other digestive issues that include pain, bloating, and possibly an upset stomach include gallstones, a low-functioning gallbladder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or even food allergies. Often a doctor rules out food allergies and bladder infections before moving on to more thorough tests that include scans, blood work, and using a scope to examine the inside of the stomach.
After ruling out the possibility of a bladder or kidney infection, the latter having back pain as the most common symptom, a person should determine whether or not they have a food allergy. Blood tests and allergy tests can show common allergies and will indicate whether the person has a virus or other ailment affecting their body. If these tests do not give an indication of the problem and an adjustment in diet does not help, the patient should consider a problem with the digestive tract as a possible cause. He should keep a diary of what he eats throughout the day and when he feels bloated or in pain. You should also consider the possibility that your back pain is not related to swelling.
Digestive orders that cause back pain involve the kidneys or gallbladder. Gallstones or an improperly functioning gallbladder often cause severe pain in the right side below the rib cage, although they can also occur on the back and be concentrated in the center. An ultrasound may show gallstones, but if they aren’t present, your doctor may order a HIDA (hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid) scan to measure gallbladder function. If the function is less than 30% to 40%, your doctor may recommend that you have your gallbladder surgically removed.
Other possible digestive disorders include irritable bowel syndrome. IBS can cause back pain and bloating along with constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, and even increased anxiety in some individuals. Back pain is not the most common symptom for IBS, but symptoms vary widely between patients. IBS can also form after gallbladder surgery or as a result of another digestive tract disease or problem. A doctor’s diagnosis is necessary to ensure that the pain and swelling are not signs of a more serious disease that requires immediate treatment or surgery.
Back pain and swelling can also occur during pregnancy, and a woman should consult with her doctor about which symptoms are normal. If the person is not pregnant and has none of the problems mentioned above, she should see a specialist for her stomach, her back, or both. A gastrointestinal doctor can diagnose stomach problems and determine if the pain and bloating are caused by the same medical problem. In rare cases, the signs may indicate a serious medical disorder such as cancer and for this reason a patient should always insist on having her symptoms properly examined, diagnosed and treated.
For patients with IBS or who have yet to find a cause for back pain and bloating, a doctor may prescribe medications to help settle an upset stomach and a muscle relaxant or pain reliever for back pain. Over-the-counter medications are available for several digestive symptoms such as general IBS, gas, or an upset stomach. Patients may experience relief from herbal remedies such as peppermint oil capsules, which aim to relax the stomach and prevent bloating, but should consult a doctor first, as the claims made by these herbal remedies have not been tested or verified by the Food and Drug Administration.
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