From the Research
Referred left upper back pain with food can be suggestive of biliary colic, although this is less typical than right-sided pain. Biliary colic usually presents as pain in the right upper quadrant or epigastrium that radiates to the right shoulder or back, occurring after fatty meals. However, atypical presentations including left-sided pain can occur, as referred pain can arise from various somatic tissues and lesions in distant structures, including the gallbladder 1. If you're experiencing left upper back pain triggered by eating, particularly fatty foods, you should seek medical evaluation as it could represent biliary disease or other conditions like pancreatic disorders or gastroesophageal reflux. Diagnosis typically involves:
- Ultrasound imaging of the gallbladder
- Liver function tests
- Possibly other imaging studies like HIDA scans While waiting for medical assessment, you might find relief by:
- Avoiding fatty foods
- Maintaining a low-fat diet
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (avoid NSAIDs if gallbladder disease is suspected) 2, 3
- Applying heat to the painful area The pain occurs because gallstones can block the cystic duct, causing the gallbladder to contract against resistance, which triggers pain that can be referred to various areas including, sometimes, the left upper back. It's essential to note that NSAIDs can be effective in managing biliary colic, but they should be used with caution, as they can also cause acute biliary pain with cholestasis in some patients 4. In terms of diagnosis, liver function enzymes may not play a significant role in predicting common bile duct stones, and other diagnostic methods like endosonography may be recommended 5. Overall, if you're experiencing left upper back pain with food, it's crucial to seek medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.