What Are the Causes of Abdominal & Low Back Pain?

The abdomen and lower back are important parts of the human body. The lower back provides the body with stability, structural support and facilitates movement. The lower back is made up of ligaments, nerves, muscles, discs, vertebrae and the spinal cord. The abdomen contains and protects internal organs such as the small intestine, liver, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder and colon. There are a number of disorders that can affect and cause pain in the abdomen or lower back.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder involving problems with the movements of muscles in the intestines during digestive processes. Although the cause of IBS is unknown, it is believed to stem from a problem with signals sent between the brain and the intestine muscles. In addition to diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting and bloating, abdominal pain is a common symptom of IBS. Abdominal pain or cramping associated with IBS is often a result of constipation or diarrhea.

Arthritis

• Arthritis is a common cause of lower back pain. It is a condition that is caused by inflammation of the joints and can lead to stiffness, tenderness, swelling and pain in the lower back. For some individuals, lower back pain caused by arthritis can be debilitating. In many cases, the pain will interfere with an individual's ability to perform everyday tasks such as walking, bending or climbing stairs.

Organ Problems

• Diseases or disorders involving one or more of the organs can result in both abdominal pain and lower back pain. This includes kidney infections, kidney stones and inflammation-related disorders such as appendicitis or pancreatitis. Female problems such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids can also lead to pain in both the lower back and the abdomen. The exact location, severity and duration of the pain depends on the specific disorder.

Injury

• Pain in the lower back can also arise because of a strain or injury. Misuse or overuse of the area can lead to small tears in tissues of the muscles, in tendons or in ligaments in the low back. Herniated disks are another common cause of lower back pain. A herniated disk can result from an injury to or the wearing down of one or more disks located between the vertebrae. Individuals---especially the elderly---can also experience lower back pain from a trauma or fall that causes a fracture or a broken bone in the lower back.

Pregnancy

• It is not uncommon for women to experience abdominal pain and lower back pain during pregnancy---especially in the last few months. This is because additional weight gain, the positioning of the fetus and hormone changes that loosen the ligaments can put a strain on the lower back. Mild to moderate abdominal pain during pregnancy is also fairly common. However, it is also possible that the abdominal pain may be signaling the presence of a pregnancy-related complications such as a miscarriage, premature labor or a urinary tract infection.