There can be a number of reasons behind someone experiencing back pain such as muscle strain, injury, tension, etc. A large number of people around the globe complain of going through back pain after eating but are completely oblivious to its causes and treatments.
Pain in back after eating can lead to other problems such as reduced work efficiency, increased irritability, and trouble falling asleep. Such harmful effects of letting back pain remain untreated for long can cause a disruption in various of the body systems. It is therefore important that we introduce you to the 7 most prominent causes of stomach and back pain after eating and discuss some ways to treat them.
#1 Inflammation in the Gallbladder
Inflammations of the gallbladder are known widely for the accompanying stomach pain in the upper abdomen and upper back pain after eating. This pain arising from a blocked gallbladder can quickly spread to other parts of the body such as your back or shoulder blades. Apart from causing extreme pain, gall stones in the bladder can also disrupt the regulation of bile in the body.
It is important to get any kind of gallstones removed from your system as soon as possible to prevent further incidences of back pain. While certain antibiotics and pain medicines can alleviate the pain arising from an inflamed bladder, healthy practices like regular workout and dietary changes can prevent the very formation of such stones.
#2 Heartburn
Just like the pain arising from the gall bladder, the aching sensation experienced during a heartburn can easily spread to other areas like the neck, the jaws, the shoulders, and the back. It is important to not disregard heartburns as mere digestive problems that will heal on its own. They can sometimes point towards greater underlying health conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is also a leading cause of sleep disruptions in the night.
It is important that you stay away from very spicy or heavy food if you are prone to experiencing heartburns. Exercising regularly helps keep your body weight in check which in turn reduces the risk of acid refluxes. Apart from heartburn, sleep deprivation is another health problem commonly faced by heavy people. Here are five tips for such heavy people to help them sleep better at night.
#3 Inappropriate Posture
Keeping up a poor posture while taking meals is one of the leading causes of lower back pain after eating. Irrespective of where you are sitting, if you have assumed a hunched posture while eating your food, chances are that you'll give yourself pain in the back. Sometimes, even a mattress topper that is too firm or too soft can cause misalignment of the spine and lead to back ache.
Try to remain seated straight while eating your meals as this will improve your posture and aid the digestive process. Thankfully, back pain due to the mattress topper can be easily treated by buying an appropriate topper that supports the natural posture of the body.
Stomach ulcers, especially peptic ulcers, can become the reason behind the sting pain you feel in your back. These ulcers that are formed on the inner lining of the stomach gives birth to a pain that eventually spreads to the neighboring parts of the body. Food that is rich in oils and spice can sometimes irritate these ulcers and cause an infection.
It is therefore wise to talk to your doctor and get rid of such sores as soon as possible. Medications like antibiotics, antacids, flavonoids, etc., are often recommended for treating stomach ulcers.
#5 Heart Attack
Chest pain and back pain are two of the most prominent symptoms that are associated with heart attack. A feeling of tightness in the chest experienced during the heart attack can spread to the back quickly. Eating a very heavy meal can sometimes trigger a heart attack due to the heightened heart palpitations.
Avoid eating a heavy or spicy meal if you are prone to experiencing back pain as they may often precede a heart attack. Include a lot of leafy greens and nuts in your diet to relieve your heart problems.
#6 Kidney Infection
Pyelonephritis, or the infection of the kidneys, is one of the leading causes of back pain. Considering the proximity of the kidneys to the lower ribs, both the lower and the upper back are at a heightened risk of experiencing pain. The intensity of the pain can be severe if there is an incident of swelling caused by kidney stones.
Antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, cefalexin, co-amoxiclav, etc., and painkillers like paracetamol can provide some relief against pain caused by kidney infection. Drink a good amount of water and continue taking your medication for eliminating the kidney stones.
Just like pain in the stomach, back pain too arises from the type of food that we eat. Meals rich in components like sugar, processed vegetable oils, trans fats, etc., can cause inflammation in the stomach and cause pain. Limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake doesn't just help you improve your night sleep but also reduces the risk of inflammation.
While antibiotics and painkillers are often prescribed in such cases of back pain, including some anti-inflammatory food in your diet can prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Spinach, salmon, coconut oil, walnuts, green tea, and beans are some of the best food items that reduce back pain. Wild-caught salmon, and virgin coconut oil also happen to be two of the superfoods that can help boost your brain power naturally.
Bottom line:
Maintaining a healthy diet and drinking a lot of water are two of the most important steps essential for keeping back pain caused after eating at bay. Do not hesitate to visit your doctor if the back pain is constant or too intense. We hope that the above mentioned causes and treatments help you live without the fear of back pain.