Can Acid Reflux (GERD) Cause Back Pain? Symptoms and Relief Help
Acid reflux is a common issue that affects the day-to-day lives of many people around the world. Chronic acid reflux is a common condition affecting around 20% of the U.S. population. It can cause many painful symptoms that require habit changes, medications, or medical procedures to get rid of.
There are many different reasons why someone may be experiencing acid reflux, as well as many different symptoms that could result from it. This blog post will explore some of those symptoms, their relation to back pain, and some ways to relieve those issues. Some of the ways can be done yourself but others may require assistance from a medical professional.
What is Acid Reflux?
As food is eaten, it begins its journey down the body’s digestive tract, starting from the mouth into the small intestine. Many people experience little to no discomfort during this process. However, for those with acid reflux, this is not the case. Acid reflux is when stomach acid or bile irritates the interior of the food pipe lining as it enters the lower esophageal sphincter. The lower esophageal sphincter is a bundle of involuntary muscles that sit right where the lower end of the esophagus connects to the stomach. There, the acid is then pushed in a backward flow, known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
There can be a lot of reasons a person is experiencing acid reflux. Some of these reasons include a hiatal hernia, age-related weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter, and overeating. Eating too large meals, eating too close to bedtime, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and calcium channel blockers can also be factors.
Symptoms of GERD
Some of the more common signs of GERD include a sour taste in the mouth following a large meal or from eating too quickly or a burning feeling within the esophagus. Some people with GERD may also experience a tightness in the chest. Other symptoms include heartburn, indigestion, nausea, abdominal pain, regurgitation, the feeling of something caught in the throat, and lower back pain.
GERD and Back Pain
Acid reflux does not only impact digestive discomfort. One of the many side effects that acid reflux can be attributed to is back pain. There are a few reasons why this may be the case.
The first reason someone may be experiencing back pain due to GERD is simply based on their lifestyle choices. This could be dietary habits, inactivity, or posture. Symptoms of acid reflux, such as back pain, can be made much worse by eating citrus fruits, spicy foods, acidic foods, caffeinated beverages, and fatty foods. The same goes for not sitting up straight while eating or lack of physical activity.
Since acid reflux mainly impacts the digestive system, its interaction with the musculoskeletal system may also increase back pain. There may be increased tension in the esophagus, chest, and throat, which can carry over into the back.
Weight is another factor that can lead to worsening back pain related to acid reflux. More weight means more pressure is being put on the abdomen. This increases the effects of acid reflux. Being more physically active and losing weight could reduce pain caused by acid reflux.
The Link Between Back Pain and GERD
There are also specific factors that link back pain and GERD together. Acid reflux causes acids to flow back up into the esophagus. This results in a burning sensation in your chest and throat, and sometimes this acid can also reach the lower back. Additionally, a hiatal hernia causes the stomach to bulge through the diaphragm muscle and into the chest. The increased likelihood of acid reflux causing back pain.
People with GERD also tend to tense their back muscles in response to the discomfort they feel. Over time the constant tensing can strain the muscles and lead to back pain.
Finding Relief
There are a couple of different things that can be done to reduce back pain and the other side effects of acid reflux. First, lifestyle changes can be made. This includes increasing physical activity, weight loss, improving posture, and making dietary changes. If symptoms persist, there are some other options.
Sometimes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are taken to help reduce stiffness and back pain. Some examples of commonly taken NSAIDs include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen. Some people claim taking one of these drugs may worsen symptoms of GERD. However, this typically is not the case.
Additional stresses may be experienced from GERD-induced back pain. For those people, it may be best to find a support group to seek out advice from others in similar situations and learn from what has helped them. It may also be beneficial to speak with a mental health counselor to find better ways of thinking and pain management.
Treatment Options
Back pain from acid reflux can be disruptive to everyday routines. Fortunately, there are a few different ways this can be treated.
Dietary Changes
Those with acid reflux should avoid foods that are spicy, citrus, tomato-based, fried, or fatty. They also should avoid drinking carbonated or caffeinated beverages. However, while there is a long list of foods not to eat, there is also a list of foods that could be beneficial. These include non-citrus fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and ginger.
Some additional tips concerning food are to try to eat smaller and more frequent meals, eat slowly, and chew thoroughly. Sitting up straight and avoiding lying down after meals will also allow for the food to more easily travel downwards with reduced risk of acid coming back up.
Changing Daily Habits
Carrying extra weight can increase the side effects of acid reflux. A habit change that could reduce the pain experienced by GERD is focusing on weight loss, whether this be a dietary change or exercise. Smoking is another factor that can increase the side effects of acid reflux, as it lowers the esophageal sphincter. Finding ways to quit smoking may reduce GERD-induced back pain.
Sleeping position can also impact the effects of acid reflux. Elevating the head 6-6 inches while sleeping may help reduce back pain. This can be done by simply adding extra pillows beneath the head. Lastly, in addition to avoiding certain foods that trigger acid reflux, the pattern of those eating habits also may affect GERD. To reduce these symptoms, it is best to eat meals at least three hours before lying down.
Medication
If the changing habit patterns are not enough, certain medications can be taken to help with back pain caused by acid reflux. Some over-the-counter options include:
● Antacids - Antacids may help with mild symptoms, but are not recommended for long-term use.
● H2 blockers - H2 blockers reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and help heal the esophagus. Some examples include Pepcid AC or Zantac.
● Proton pump inhibitors - PPIs are sometimes a better option than H2 blockers for reducing acidity in the stomach and healing the esophagus lining. However, sometimes PPIs may cause side effects if used long-term, such as clostridium difficile, fractures, kidney disease, and nutritional deficiencies. Some examples of these medications include Nexium, Prevacid, and Prilosec.
● Foaming Agents - Foaming agents help coat food and liquids that prevent them from entering the esophagus.
Surgery
If there is still no sign of success, certain surgical interventions may be an option. These include fundoplication procedures, bariatric surgeries, and endoscopies.
Fundoplication procedures connect the top of the stomach to the lower end of the esophagus, preventing stomach acid from reaching the lower esophageal sphincter. If obesity is a contributing issue, bariatric weight loss surgeries may help with relief.
In some less common cases, endoscopies may be performed. This is where a thin, lighted tube is placed through the mouth to the esophagus, joining the stomach to the lower esophageal sphincter or applying radiofrequency energy to tighten the sphincter.
Talking with a Specialist
Before making any final decisions about which medications to take or having any surgical procedures, it may be best to talk to someone with professional knowledge in the field. Gastroenterologists use a variety of procedures to diagnose and treat patients with issues affecting the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver. They can help identify specific root issues and determine the best course of action to take to fix the problem.
Conclusion
Acid reflux is a common issue and can be painful and lead to a variety of symptoms. One of these symptoms is back pain. Certain foods, weight, and other daily habits can cause those symptoms. However, there are also a lot of options for treatment and relief. Some of these can be started immediately and done from home. Others may require medical assistance.
This could be changing dietary or daily habits, taking certain medications, or undergoing a surgical procedure. To identify the root of the issues causing acid reflux and find the best relief solutions, talk to an experienced medical professional.
