A back ache and stomach ache may be caused by menstrual cramps, urinary tract infection or by a kidney disorder, such as a kidney infection. Abdominal pain can also be the direct result of pancreatitis, which can sometimes also cause back pain. For some individuals, these symptoms may also be triggered by emotional stress.
Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, occur as the result of a woman’s uterine muscle contracting and causing a temporary lack of blood flow and oxygen to the muscle. The pain from these cramps is felt in the abdominal area and is often accompanied by lower back pain. Pain caused by menstrual cramps may fluctuate from mild to severe, but typically stops a day or so into the menstrual cycle or after menstrual flow stops. Some women experience a secondary form of dysmenorrhea, however, which may occur at times other than a woman’s menstrual cycle.
A urinary tract infection frequently causes back ache and stomach ache. Infection occurs as the result of a bacteria, parasite or fungi invading the urinary system. This type of infection affects the urethra, the kidney or the bladder and may occur in children, women and men of any age.
When kidney infection is part of a urinary tract infection, a person will likely experience back ache and stomach ache at the same time. This will not feel like an upset stomach, however, as abdominal pain will more likely feel like a full bladder producing an urgent need to urinate and may be accompanied by a cramping pain or a dull ache. Other symptoms may include pain in the side and groin area. Individuals experiencing a kidney infection will likely also be affected by nausea, vomiting, fever and blood in the urine.
Pain from pancreatitis may also present as a simultaneous back and stomach ache. This type of pain generally begins in the upper abdominal region before progressing to the back. Other symptoms likely to be found in a person with pancreatitis include fever, abdominal swelling, nausea and an increased pulse rate.
Individuals under severe stress often report simultaneous back ache and stomach ache symptoms. Often, the underlying cause is entirely psychosomatic. These symptoms can, however, be prompted by poor eating habits or overeating caused by stress, which may further cause excessive intestinal gas, bloating and other digestive disorders.
