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Back Pain and Nausea at the Same Time? Find Out Why

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medically reviewed by Dr Godmi Tresa

Dr. Bhavya

Updated on October 25, 2024

Leading your day-to-day chores with everlasting back pain is a challenging experience. Isn't it?

"With constant back pain, it's like carrying a backpack full of rocks that never gets lighter.", says a Nirva client who has been going through chronic back pain for two years.

Research claims that 50-80% of the global population suffers from back pain at some point. For this, an estimated 200 billion dollars are spent to get relief! Back pain is so common worldwide, and taking pain-killing medications has become a regular practice.

However,  have you ever experienced nausea along with back pain, which makes you take more pills than one?

Back pain linked with nausea is extremely common and can affect your ability to carry out daily tasks and enjoy life. When they occur together, it is a sign of other medical conditions.

In this blog post, we will explore some possible causes of back pain and nausea, explore their relationship, and provide practical tips for managing these symptoms effectively.

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What Are the Common Causes of Back Pain?

Have you wondered why back pain is always more than an unpleasant experience in you stomach too? This is because the nerves in your spine are close to your digestive system. When these nerves are affected, it leads to digestive issues. However, some back pain can come from places other than the spine or back bones. Some are;

1. Kidney Stones : The formation of stones in your kidneys causes severe pain in your lower back and sides. This condition may be accompanied by symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
2. Urinary Tract Infections : Urinary tract infections cause pain in the lower back and abdomen, accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and fever.
3. Pancreatitis : Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that can cause severe pain in the upper abdomen and lower back, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
4. Gallbladder Disease: This disease can cause pain in the upper right abdomen and back, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
5. Spinal Problems: Various spinal conditions, such as slipped discs, narrowing of the spine, and leg pain caused by nerve compressions, can cause back pain and sometimes nausea if the nerves in the spine are affected.
6. Inflammatory Bowel Disease: This chronic condition causes inflammation in your digestive tract and can cause back pain, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Conditions such as overgrowth of uterine tissue, cysts in your ovaries or diseases caused by inflammation of your pelvis may lead to lower back pain and nausea, especially during menstruation.
7. Liver Diseases : Liver diseases can cause nausea due to the accumulation of toxins in your body and back pain due to the enlargement of your liver. 
8. Appendicitis : Appendicitis is a condition that occurs when your appendix gets infected and inflamed, causing severe abdominal pain. This may radiate to your lower back. Nausea, vomiting, and fever often accompany this pain.

Back pain and nausea also come by with:

  • Pregnancy
  • Stress
  • Poor posture 
  • Heart diseases
  • Cancers

Can Your Diet Cause Backpain and Nause?

Let's have a quick look into the food and dietary habits that may contribute to both nausea and back pain:

  • Consuming foods high-fat and processed foods can cause inflammation, leading to nausea and back pain.
  • Consuming too much coffee or caffeine can cause dehydration and worsening back pain. Caffeine can also cause digestive issues, leading to nausea.
  • Alcohol also causes dehydration, triggering back pain.
  • Consuming high-sugar foods and drinks causes inflammation, which may lead to both nausea and back pain.
  • If you skip meals for long periods, it can cause low blood sugar levels and worsening nausea and back pain.

So, back pain and nausea is not a surprise of you consume the above foods regularly.

How to Manage And Prevent Back Pain and Nausea 

Taking care of your overall health is essential to prevent and manage nausea and back pain related to the abovementioned conditions.

The first and foremost step towards managing your nausea and back pain is precisely identifying what is giving you those symptoms.

As mentioned above, it can be anything from a slightly pinched nerve to stress.

Once you identify this with the help of your healthcare professional, take a step towards proper management.

Try these easy tips to prevent back pain linked with nausea;

  • Maintain a healthy diet and stay hydrated.
  • Exercise regularly and practise good posture.
  • Avoid prolonged sitting or standing.
  • Manage stress through relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation.
  • Get enough restful sleep.
  • Consult with a healthcare professional for persistent or severe symptoms.

It's important to note that these tips are not meant to replace medical advice and treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.

Standard treatment options for back pain and nausea include:

  • Over-the-counter back pain and nausea medications can help you manage back pain and nausea.
  • Exercises, stretches, and specific physical techniques can help relieve back pain.
  • Surgery may sometimes be necessary to treat the underlying cause of back pain and nausea.
  • Making lifestyle changes, indulging in a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and practising stress-relieving techniques can help prevent and manage symptoms.

Ayurveda and Back Pain

Ayurvedic treatments for nausea and back pain include dietary modifications, herbal remedies, massage, yoga, meditation, and other lifestyle changes. These help balance the body and promote healing.

Here are a few herbs that might help relieve back pain and nausea.

  • Ginger is a herb that reduces pain and inflammation. It also has a calming effect on the stomach, which can help alleviate nausea. 
  • Ashwagandha is a herb that helps the body cope with stress. It may help reduce inflammation and pain, including back pain. 
  • Turmeric contains an active ingredient, curcumin, which may help alleviate pain and inflammation associated with back pain.
  • Triphala is an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation consisting of three fruits that may help improve digestion and alleviate nausea. It works best if your back pain is from chronic constipation.

Home Remedies for Back Pain and Nausea

  • Cut a few slices of fresh ginger in hot water and drink the tea to help reduce nausea and ease back pain.
  • Mix a teaspoon of ashwagandha powder in a cup of warm milk. You can Drink it before bedtime to help reduce stress and back pain.
  • Mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a tablespoon of honey to make a paste. Apply the paste to the affected area. This will help reduce inflammation and manage back pain.
  • Take a teaspoon of Triphala powder with warm water before bedtime to help improve digestion and alleviate nausea.

These herbs have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties and may help improve digestion and relieve nausea.

Note : These remedies may not be suitable for everyone and should be used cautiously.

Consult our Ayurvedic expert at Nirva Health.

When to Seek Medical Help?

Back pain and nausea can sometimes be symptoms of severe medical conditions that require prompt medical attention. Look out for these situations where you should seek medical help for back pain and nausea:

  • If your back pain and nausea are severe and sudden or are accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or abdominal pain.
  • If you have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, or other severe medical conditions that can affect the spine.
  • If your back pain and nausea persist for more than a few days despite home remedies and over-the-counter medications.
  • If you have recently experienced a traumatic injury to the back or head.
  • If you have a known heart condition or a family history of heart disease.

It's Crucial to listen to your body and seek medical help. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications and improve overall health and well-being.

Take Control of Your Health

Back pain and nausea are common symptoms caused by various health conditions, ranging from minor muscle strain to severe medical conditions. Watch out for symptoms and seek medical attention if needed. A healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, proper dietary habits, and seeking timely medical advice, can help you manage your symptoms and prevent them from interfering with your daily life.

70% of our clients at Nirva Health were able to either reduce or stop medications for chronic pain, out of which 60% of them were on pain-killing steroids. 

Wish to be one of them? Discuss your concerns with the experts now!

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Frequently Asked Questions

It’s important to note that these tips are not meant to replace medical advice and treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.