What might be causing stomach and back pain with diarrhea?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Stomach and back pain with diarrhea often signals an underlying issue in the digestive system. Common causes include:

Gastrointestinal infections (viral, bacterial, or parasitic) that inflame the gut lining
Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, which can radiate pain to the back
Systemic infections that trigger widespread symptoms, including abdominal and muscle discomfort

Because these causes range from mild to serious, identifying the source quickly matters. Untreated pancreatitis or severe infections can lead to dehydration and complications, while simple viral cases may resolve on their own. The challenge is knowing which category your symptoms fall into.

Rather than guessing, take a free, instant, AI-powered symptom check to clarify possible causes and understand your best next steps—whether that means home care, seeing a doctor, or seeking urgent attention.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover likely causes of stomach pain and diarrhea Learn if your back pain needs care Find out if symptoms could be serious See OTC options for stomach and diarrhea Find a doctor for stomach pain Understand home remedies for stomach discomfort Check if back pain and diarrhea need care

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Explanation

When you experience pain in your stomach and back along with diarrhea, there are several things that might be happening.

One common cause is gastroenteritis. This is an infection in your stomach and intestines caused by a virus or bacteria. Along with stomach pain and diarrhea, you might also feel pain that spreads to your back.

Another reason could be pancreatitis. This is when your pancreas, an organ near your stomach, becomes inflamed and causes pain that often radiates to the back. Sometimes, infections that do not start in the gut can also cause diarrhea along with body aches, including back pain. These infections can make your whole body hurt as it fights the illness.

Dehydration from diarrhea may add to muscle cramps and worsen back pain. Since these symptoms can be a sign of different issues, it is important to check your symptoms with Ubie's free AI-powered symptom checker or speak with a healthcare provider. They can ask questions, do tests, and help figure out what is causing your pain so you can get the proper treatment and feel better.

(References)

Sherman R. Abdominal Pain. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 86.
Reisinger EC, Fritzsche C, Krause R, Krejs GJ. Diarrhea caused by primarily non-gastrointestinal infections. Nat Clin Pract Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005 May;2(5):216-22. doi: 10.1038/ncpgasthep0167. PMID: 16265204; PMCID: PMC7097032.
Descoteaux-Friday GJ, Shrimanker I. Chronic Diarrhea. [Updated 2023 Aug 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet].

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