Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition.
The symptoms are resulting from the stomach’s contents flowing back up into theesophagus(food tube).
Some people may also experience pain in the upper back while managing GERD.
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Treatment might include managing GERD and any other conditions causing back pain.
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GERD Back Pain: A Flare or Something Else?
Back pain occasionally occurs along with symptoms ofGERD.
Several situations may lead to back pain occurring along with GERD.
Referred Pain
One possibility is that you feelreferred painin your back or neck.
The sensory nerves in the esophagus communicate the sensation of pain to the brain.
The pain signal from the esophagus uses the same pathway as the nerves in the diaphragm and abdomen.
GERD is not causing the back pain but is leading to referred pain.
Stress
GERD could also lead tostress, as do many other medical conditions.
Pain, anxiety, andlack of sleepfrom nighttime symptoms could all lead to elevated stress levels.
All these effects could also contribute to back pain.
GERD and Pregnancy
GERD may occur during pregnancy.
It’s not thought to affect the pregnancy or the fetus, but it can be uncomfortable.
They can appear at the same time.
Heartburn from GERD may feel like a burning pain in the chest.
Treatments to Manage GERD Back Pain
Preventing symptoms of GERDmay help stop the back pain from starting.
The symptoms may go away on their own with some home remedies and self-care.
However, when symptoms are longer lasting, the problem may be chronic.
Chronic GERD or back pain is areason to see a healthcare providerfor an examination and treatment.
Back painis considered chronic when symptoms occur for longer than three months.
It’s also worth noting thatback paincould be occurring coincidentally with GERD.
They could be two separate issues that need different treatments.
GERD may start to improve once lifestyle changes are made and sometimes after medication is used.
If back pain does not improve when GERD is treated, it may need different management.
Chronic back pain will need to be evaluated and treated differently than GERD.
Occasional symptoms in the esophagus or back can be treated at home.
A healthcare provider should check chronic symptoms.
Richter JE, Rubenstein JH.Presentation and epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease.Gastroenterology.
2018;154:267-276. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2017.07.045
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of GER & GERD.
University of Chicago Medicine.GERD and Pregnancy.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Back pain.
