Can GERD Cause Back Pain? Here’s Why and How to Find Relief

Again ache can stem from a ton of various sources. And in case you commonly take care of acid reflux disorder, it is doable that GERD may very well be the offender. “It is not a standard phenomenon, however I’ve had sufferers who’ve talked about it,” says Supriya Rao, M.D., a gastroenterologist with Tufts Medicine in Boston, MA. This is extra about why precisely it occurs and what you are able to do about GERD-related again ache.

How can GERD trigger again ache?

When you could have again ache from GERD, you are coping with one thing known as referred pain—or ache that is felt in part of your physique past the precise supply of the ache. “Plenty of nerve endings within the esophagus, the place reflux happens, get crisscrossed with nerve endings within the again muscle tissue. So folks would possibly really feel ache due to that crosstalk, usually in between the shoulder blades,” Dr. Rao explains.

GERD-driven ache would possibly lengthen to different areas too, like your neck, jaws, or arms, in keeping with a paper printed in Medscape General Medicine—which could freak you out somewhat bit, particularly in case you’ve by no means skilled it earlier than. “Folks can get scared and suppose it is cardiac-related,” Dr. Rao says. (FYI: ache brought on by GERD isn’t a sign of a heart problem. But when the ache is extreme or persistent and also you’re unsure what you are coping with, it is a good suggestion to see your healthcare supplier for testing and therapy, if obligatory.)

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Are there any long-term issues of GERD-related again ache?

Referred ache from GERD is not going to do injury to your again or shoulders. However other than simply being disagreeable, unmanaged GERD can probably trigger some problems in the long run.

The largest danger is that each one that acid finally begins to wreck your esophageal tissue. That would end in long-term irritation or scarring that narrows your esophagus, which in flip might make it more durable to swallow, Dr. Rao says. The tissue injury can even result in Barrett’s esophagus, a situation the place your esophageal cells begin to maintain dangerous modifications that increase the chance for esophageal most cancers, notes the Mayo Clinic. So, in case you’re experiencing heartburn and might’t work out why, seeing your healthcare supplier sooner quite than later may help you obtain the therapy it’s good to forestall signs from worsening and inflicting potential issues.

Easy methods to deal with GERD again ache

Talking of therapy, you might be relieved to listen to that a number of therapy choices may help cut back GERD signs, together with again ache. “Treating the reflux and altering your way of life round, all of these issues may help [relieve symptoms’,” Dr. Rao says.

Here are some expert-approved treatment strategies:

• Limit or avoid foods that trigger your reflux: If you notice a certain food tends to give you heartburn, curbing your intake of that food will go a long way towards keeping the acid reflux at bay, or even getting rid of it completely, Dr. Rao says. Common triggers of GERD include fried or greasy foods, fatty or cheesy foods, spicy foods, tomato-based foods, citrus, chocolate, peppermint, and carbonated drinks, per Johns Hopkins Medicine.
• Take an over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription med: Antacids (which neutralize stomach acid) and proton pump inhibitors (which block the production of acid) can both help with acid reflux. OTC options like Mylanta, Rolaids, Tums, or Pepcid AC are good places to start, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If those aren’t doing enough to keep symptoms at bay, your healthcare provider can recommend a prescription-strength option that may work better for you.
• Manage a weight that’s right for you: Obesity is a common risk factor for GERD, so if you live with both GERD and obesity, weight management can help reduce symptoms. That’s because losing adipose tissue (aka body fat around your stomach) can take the pressure off, making it less likely for acid to retreat to the esophagus, according to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). Everyone’s weight management looks different, but eating a nutritious and well-balanced meal, making time for some physical activity every day, and drinking water is a good place to start.
• Avoid eating late: Aim to have dinner at least two to three hours before going to bed, the AGA recommends. Going to bed shortly after you eat is a recipe for reflux since lying down makes it easier for acid to flow up into your esophagus.
• Eat small, frequent meals: Big, heavy meals take longer to digest and put more pressure on your stomach, which increases the risk for reflux, the AGA notes.
• Elevate your head when you sleep: Prop another pillow under your head so you’re not lying flat. That’ll make it harder for reflux to flow up into your esophagus, Dr. Rao recommends.
• Drink plenty of water. Frequent sips of water can help clear some of the acid out of your esophagus, which can reduce painful symptoms, per a review published in Case Reports in Gastrointestinal Medicine.

Can you prevent GERD back pain?

Preventing back pain from GERD ultimately comes down to keeping that reflux at bay as much as possible. You can prevent painful symptoms by sticking to the same lifestyle changes that are recommended for treating GERD, Dr. Rao says. However, if lifestyle adjustments aren’t enough, taking medication to control your acid reflux can be helpful. Many people wonder if you have to take the medications forever, especially when living with a chronic condition like GERD, however, “it’s often possible to get off the meds once you initially get the GERD under control, provided you’re willing to stick with healthy lifestyle habits,” says Dr. Rao.

When to see a healthcare provider

You should let your healthcare provider know if you’re experiencing frequent acid reflux or other symptoms of GERD, especially if you’ve been trying to manage the problem on your own without success. They can run tests to look at the lining of your esophagus (like an upper endoscopy) to help give you an accurate diagnosis for GERD or check to see if treatment is working.

Also, keep in mind that while GERD can cause back pain, it’s also possible for people with GERD to have back pain for an entirely unrelated reason. So it’s also worth letting your provider know if your back continues to hurt even after your GERD is being managed. That helps you and your healthcare team explore other potential culprits of back pain and discuss treatment options to help you feel better.