Lower Back Pain and Nausea: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatments

Lower Back Pain and Nausea: Causes and Treatments

Experiencing lower back pain and nausea at the same time can be concerning. While they may seem like unrelated symptoms, nausea and back pain can sometimes have a common underlying cause.

In many cases, nausea is a secondary symptom resulting from severe or chronic back pain. However, certain medical conditions that affect the digestive system, kidneys or reproductive organs can also cause simultaneous nausea and back pain.

Understanding the wide range of potential causes is important for determining the best treatments. Read on to learn more about why lower back pain and nausea can occur together.

Causes of Lower Back Pain and Nausea

Some common reasons nausea and lower back pain can happen concurrently include:

• Severe back injuries - Fractures, muscle tears or herniated discs from accidents can cause intense lower back pain leading to nausea.
• Kidney problems - Kidney infections, kidney stones or advanced kidney disease can cause back and abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting.
• Digestive conditions - Ulcers, gastritis, GERD, bowel obstruction or constipation may trigger both nausea and backache.
• Pregnancy - Hormonal changes, weight gain and altered posture strain the back and cause morning sickness in early pregnancy.
• Endometriosis - Growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus may irritate surrounding organs causing pelvic cramping, lower back pain and nausea.
• Fibromyalgia - Widespread muscle pain from this chronic condition can exacerbate back pain while fatigue and stress trigger nausea.
• Medications - Some drugs like antibiotics, chemotherapy and opioids have back pain and nausea as potential side effects.
• Stress and anxiety - Chronic stress and anxiety disorders can manifest physically as muscle tension, back pain and nausea.

When to See a Doctor for Back Pain and Nausea

Occasional concurrent back pain and nausea from minor muscle strain or menstrual cramps is usually not a cause for concern. However, you should seek prompt medical care if you experience:

• Difficulty passing urine or blood in urine
• Fever over 101°F (38°C)
• Vomiting that prevents keeping down fluids
• Severe upper abdominal pain or tenderness
• Unintentional weight loss
• Weakness or numbness in legs
• Very severe or debilitating pain

These red flags can indicate serious medical conditions requiring emergency treatment. Urgent care or your doctor can run tests to determine if kidney disorders, spinal infections, bowel obstructions or other dangerous conditions are causing your symptoms.

Diagnosing the Cause of Lower Back Pain and Nausea

To properly diagnose the underlying reason behind concurrent back pain and nausea, doctors may order:

• Lab tests - Check for kidney disease, infections, electrolyte imbalances.
• Urinalysis - Screens for urinary tract infections, kidney problems.
• Imaging - X-rays, CT scans or MRI for back injuries, spinal issues.
• Endoscopy - Examines stomach and intestines for ulcers, inflammation.
• Pelvic exam - Checks for uterine or ovarian cysts, endometriosis.
• Blood tests - Counts blood cells to rule out anemia and other disorders.

Based on your test results and a physical exam, your doctor can determine the appropriate treatments to alleviate your nausea and back pain.

Treatments for Lower Back Pain and Nausea

Treatment approaches for concurrent backache and nausea may include:

• Pain medications - Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen can treat mild to moderate muscular back pain and cramps. Stronger prescription opioids may be prescribed for severe pain but can cause nausea.
• Muscle relaxants - Relieve painful back muscle spasms and tension.
• Antiemetics - Medications that control nausea and vomiting like ondansetron.
• Antibiotics - For bacterial infections causing lower back and abdominal pain.
• Surgery - For conditions like kidney stones, bowel obstructions or spinal decompression.
• Physical therapy - Stretches, exercises and manual techniques to reduce back pain.
• Hot/cold packs - Applying heat or ice can ease lower back muscle soreness.
• Healthy diet - Eating more fiber, probiotics and anti-inflammatory foods may improve gastrointestinal issues linked to nausea and back pain.
• Stress management - Relaxation, yoga, counseling and getting adequate sleep to help relieve stress-related pain and nausea.

Finding the right balance of home remedies, medications, alternative treatments and lifestyle changes tailored to your condition can help manage both nausea and back pain symptoms.

When to See a Gastroenterologist for Back Pain and Nausea

If you have chronic nausea and backache with no clear cause, you may benefit from seeing a gastroenterologist (digestive specialist). A gastroenterologist can diagnose and treat gastrointestinal disorders that may be responsible, such as:

• Ulcers
• Gallstones
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Inflammatory bowel diseases
• Gastroparesis
• Food intolerances
• Pancreatitis
• Hepatitis

They may order testing such as an upper endoscopy to examine your esophagus, stomach and duodenum, stool tests, specialized diets or CT scans of the abdomen. Getting proper diagnosis and care from a gastroenterologist can help resolve medically-induced back ache and nausea.

Relieving Nausea from Lower Back Pain

Here are some tips for minimizing nauseating symptoms stemming from lower back pain episodes:

• Use heating pads or cold packs on the back to reduce muscle spasms.
• Try ginger, peppermint or chamomile tea to settle the stomach.
• Avoid heavy, greasy or spicy foods which can trigger nausea.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing that doesn't put pressure on the abdomen.
• Apply menthol-containing gels or essential oils like peppermint oil on the lower back.
• Practice deep breathing, meditation and relaxation techniques.
• Take over-the-counter antacids or antinausea medications.
• Get adequate rest and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Making dietary changes, using home remedies and reducing physical activities causing back strain can all help minimize nauseating symptoms.

Preventing Lower Back Pain and Nausea

You can reduce occurrences of simultaneous backache and nausea through prevention strategies like:

• Lifting objects with correct form by bending knees and keeping back straight.
• Avoiding trigger foods that worsen GERD, ulcers or IBS.
• Practicing back stretches and improving posture.
• Wearing supportive footwear.
• Quitting smoking to lower risk of digestive disorders.
• Drinking plenty of water to prevent constipation straining the back.
• Getting sufficient calcium and vitamin D for bone health.
• Maintaining a healthy weight to avoid extra pressure on the back.
• Using ergonomic chairs and mattresses that provide proper back support.

Combining a multifaceted approach of healthy lifestyle habits, dietary adjustments, stress reduction techniques and proper back care can help minimize the occurrence of concurrent back pain and nausea episodes.

Conclusion

Experiencing lower back pain together with nausea is not uncommon, but can stem from a diverse range of medical conditions. Getting an accurate diagnosis is important for determining appropriate treatment options. While home remedies can help relieve symptoms, promptly seeking medical care for severe, persistent or worsening back pain and nausea is critical. With proper diagnosis, treatments and preventive care, instances of concurrent backache and nausea can often be reduced or effectively managed.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.