According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, almost everybody experiences abdominal pain or discomfort at some point in their lives, although most abdominal pain is not serious and does not cause complications that are life-threatening. Some abdominal pain is concentrated in the upper portion of the abdomen and can radiate to the middle or lower back.
Acute Cholecystitis
Acute cholecystitis can cause upper abdominal pain and back pain. According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, acute cholecystitis is a sudden gallbladder inflammation characterized by severe upper abdominal pain. The NIH states that 90 percent of acute cholecystitis cases are caused by gallstones. Other possible causes of cholecystitis include serious illness and gallbladder tumors. Acute cholecystitis causes bile to accumulate in the gallbladder, which in turn causes irritation and pressure. Gallbladder pressure and irritation can predispose a person to bacterial infection and gallbladder perforation. Common symptoms associated with acute cholecystitis include the following: sharp upper abdominal pain, cramping or dull, pain that radiates or spreads to the back, a sensation of abdominal fullness, fever, nausea and vomiting.
Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis can cause upper abdominal pain and back pain. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases or NIDDK--a division of the National Institutes of Health--states that acute pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a long, thin organ located behind the stomach that releases hormones--insulin and glucagon--and digestive enzymes to help a person break down and absorb food and nutrients. According to the NIDDK, approximately 210,000 Americans are admitted to the hospital with acute pancreatitis each year. Acute pancreatitis is usually caused by gallstones that cause pancreatic inflammation as they pass through the common bile duct. Common signs and symptoms associated with acute pancreatitis include the following: pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to the back, chills, clammy skin, fever, jaundice, nausea, sweating and weakness.
Myocardial Infarction
Myocardial infarction can cause upper abdominal pain and back pain. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, or NHLBI, a division of the National Institutes of Health, myocardial infarction, or heart attack, manifests when blood flow to the heart is compromised, usually due to a blocked coronary artery. If heart circulation is not restored immediately, a portion of the heart will die, due to lack of oxygen. The NHLBI states that myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death among American men and women, although effective treatments exist that can save heart tissue and prevent long-term heart attack-related disability. Common signs and symptoms associated with myocardial infarction include the following: chest pain or discomfort, pain in the arms, neck, jaw, back and upper abdomen; shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, fainting and feelings of desperation.
