Left Back Pain After Eating

Pain can occur in any part of the body and back pain is nothing uncommon. However, having left back pain after eating meals is surely not something that is experienced by many. There is a small percentage of people who have to suffer from it. Usually, the pain in the left back disappears after a couple of minutes. But if it is recurrent and has started to scare you of eating, it is a serious cause of concern. There are many factors that can result in left back pain after eating.

Causes of Left Back Pain After Eating

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Irritable bowel syndrome is a common gastrointestinal disorder in which the food passes through the digestive tract either very quickly or very slowly. This causes a lot of abdominal discomfort such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, cramping and left back pain.

Milk Intolerance: A sugar called lactose is present in the milk. The inability to metabolize lactose is known as milk or more specifically lactose intolerance. This occurs because of the absence of lactase, an enzyme needed to digest lactose. Non-availability of lactase in proper amounts in the body also leads to the same condition. Lactose intolerance can cause abdominal or lower left back pain after having dairy products.

Intestinal Obstruction: The mechanical or functional blockage of the intestine that prevents or obstructs the passage of products of digestion in all forms like gas, fluid and solids. The obstruction can occur at any part of the intestine such as the duodenum, colon, etc. It is considered to be a medical emergency. Sometimes, surgery is required to correct the condition. Intestinal obstruction gives rise to mild to sharp left back pain after eating food.

Diverticulitis: A disease condition called diverticulosis involves the formation of pouches on the outside the colon. These pouches are known as diverticula. The inflammation of one of these diverticula is known as diverticulitis. This causes pain at the lower abdomen and sometimes at the left side of the lower back. The pain elevates on eating meals. Thus, diverticulitis is one of those causes that may give rise to lower abdominal pain after eating.

Celiac Disease: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease affecting the small intestine. It occurs in those people who are carrier of the gene responsible for causing this disorder. It occurs in people of all ages. In celiac disease, a modification reaction occurs in a protein called gliadin, found in wheat and many other cereals. Gliadin is acted upon by enzyme transglutaminase, and gets converted to a protein that triggers the immune system to cause an inflammatory reaction. This is the reason that causes sharp lower and upper left back pain.

Acid Reflux: The condition in which the liquid content of the stomach comes back into the stomach is called acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux. This can result in the damage or inflammation of the esophageal lining. It basically causes heartburn, but depending upon its severity, it can also cause abdominal or left back pain.

Home Remedies for Left Back Pain After Eating

• Eat a banana daily. It has a protective action over acidity.
• Take ginger with tea or other foodstuffs. It improves the digestion of rich foods.
• Drink plenty of water. It will flush out toxins as well as help in reducing bloating.
• Chew a clove or eat a small piece of jaggery after every meal. It relieves gas problems.
• Walk for at least 30 minutes everyday. It helps a lot in maintaining the overall well-being of your body.

The list of causes of left back pain given here include all common reasons but is not complete. There can be many other causes as well. A physiologist is the right person to tell you the exact cause of pain in your left back or abdomen. He generally conducts various diagnostic tests including ultrasound, X-ray and blood tests to conclude a reason. Therefore, besides trying home remedies, you should consult a health care professional, specialized in physiology, for evaluation and treatment of left back pain after consuming meals.