my mum has pain going from her tummy through to her back and she keeps being sick

Pain that travels from the abdomen through to the back, combined with persistent vomiting, is a serious combination of symptoms that requires prompt medical evaluation.¹²³

When to Seek Immediate Emergency Care

Call emergency services (like 999 in the UK or 112 in Europe) or go to the nearest A&E right away if your mum has any of these warning signs:

• Severe, sharp, or rapidly worsening pain
• Vomiting blood or material that looks like dark coffee grounds
• A high fever, chills, or shaking
• Dizziness, fainting, confusion, or extreme weakness
• A rigid, hard, or very tender abdomen when touched
• Inability to keep any fluids down or signs of dehydration (little to no urine output)¹²³⁴

Potential Causes for Tummy-to-Back Pain with Vomiting

When pain radiates from the front to the back alongside nausea or vomiting, it often points to inflammation or blockages in upper abdominal organs:¹²

• Gallbladder issues: Gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) can cause sharp upper-right abdominal pain that often wraps around to the back or right shoulder, accompanied by nausea.¹²
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas typically causes a deep, severe, constant pain in the upper abdomen that pierces straight through to the back, often worsened by eating, and frequently paired with severe nausea and vomiting.¹
• Kidney stones: Stones moving through the urinary tract can cause severe, wave-like flank or back pain that wraps around to the lower abdomen, along with nausea.¹²³
• Peptic ulcers or gastritis: Severe irritation or a deep sore in the stomach lining can cause burning upper abdominal pain and vomiting.¹²

What to Do Right Now

• Do not give her heavy meals, food, or strong pain medications (like ibuprofen or aspirin), as these can irritate the stomach or mask critical symptoms until a doctor knows the cause.
• Encourage small sips of water or oral rehydration solutions only if she can tolerate them without violently throwing up.
• Contact a GP, NHS 111 (in the UK), or seek urgent medical advice immediately so she can be properly assessed.¹²³⁴⁵

To help me narrow this down or give more relevant information, could you tell me:

• Where exactly in the tummy does the pain start (upper, lower, right, or left side)?
• How long has she had these symptoms?
• Does she have a fever or feel jaundiced (yellowing of the skin or eyes)?

Pain that goes from the tummy through to the back, paired with persistent vomiting, is a sign that your mum needs prompt medical evaluation.¹²

When to Seek Urgent Help

Call emergency services (like 999 or 112 in the UK/Europe) or go to the nearest emergency department immediately if she has any of these warning signs:

• Chest pain, pressure, or shortness of breath
• Inability to keep any fluids down or signs of severe dehydration (such as dizziness, dark urine, or not urinating)
• A high fever or chills
• A rigid, hard, or extremely tender belly
• Confusion, weakness, or feeling like she might pass out¹²³

Potential Causes

Stomach pain radiating to the back with vomiting can point to several conditions that require a doctor's diagnosis, including:

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas, which often causes severe upper abdominal pain that pierces straight through to the back)
• Gallbladder issues or gallstones (such as an inflamed gallbladder or a blocked bile duct)
• A bowel obstruction (a blockage in the intestine that causes cramping, bloating, and vomiting)
• Severe gastroenteritis or a kidney condition^1234567

What You Should Do Right Now

• Do not give her any food, drink, or medication (including pain relievers or home remedies) until a healthcare professional has evaluated her, as this can make certain conditions worse.¹²
• Contact a doctor or NHS 111 (if you are in the UK) right away for immediate triage, or take her to the nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.¹

If you'd like to share a few more details:

• Where exactly is the pain located (upper tummy, lower tummy, or right side)?
• How long has she been experiencing these symptoms?
• Does she have a fever or feel dizzy?

I can help you prepare questions to ask the medical team or guide you on what to expect next.

Pain radiating from the stomach or upper abdomen through to the back, combined with persistent vomiting, can be a sign of a serious medical condition that requires prompt evaluation.¹

Possible Causes

• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas commonly causes severe upper abdominal pain that often radiates straight through to the back, frequently accompanied by nausea and vomiting.¹
• Gallbladder Issues / Gallstones: Gallstones can block bile ducts or trigger acute cholecystitis, causing sharp pain in the upper right or central abdomen that can spread to the back or right shoulder, alongside sickness.¹²³
• Peptic Ulcer Disease: An ulcer in the stomach or upper small intestine can cause burning upper abdominal pain and vomiting.¹²³
• Bowel Obstruction or Kidney Conditions: A severe blockage or kidney stone/infection can also trigger intense abdominal and back pain with vomiting.¹²³

What You Should Do

1. Seek Urgent Medical Care: Because persistent vomiting and severe radiating pain can lead to rapid dehydration or signal an acute emergency (such as severe pancreatitis, a blocked duct, or a perforated ulcer), your mum should be seen by a doctor or go to an urgent care/emergency department right away.
2. Avoid Eating or Drinking: Do not give her heavy meals, solid foods, or medications by mouth until a healthcare professional has evaluated her, as this can worsen vomiting or irritate the digestive tract.
3. Watch for Red Flags: Go to emergency services immediately if she develops high fever, chills, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), confusion, dizziness, blood in her vomit, or a rigid, rock-hard abdomen.

If you'd like, let me know:

• How long she has had these symptoms
• Where specifically the pain started or hurts the most
• If she has any fever or other symptoms

I can share more tailored information about what to expect or how to prepare for a doctor's visit.

Pain going from the tummy through to the back, paired with persistent vomiting, is a symptom combination that requires urgent medical attention.¹

What You Should Do Right Now

• Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E immediately, or call NHS 111 for urgent guidance.¹
• Do not wait to see if it passes on its own. Pain that wraps around or radiates from the abdomen to the back can be a sign of serious conditions like acute pancreatitis (often triggered by gallstones), severe gallbladder issues, or a major ulcer/blockage.¹
• Do not give her anything to eat or drink (including water or home remedies) until a doctor has assessed her, as this can make certain conditions worse.

Warning Signs to Tell the Emergency Services

When you call, let them know immediately if she is experiencing any of the following:

• A high temperature or shivering/shaking
• A very fast heartbeat or dizziness
• Difficulty breathing
• Yellowing of the skin or the whites of her eyes (jaundice)
• Rigid, hard, or extremely tender tummy to the touch¹

Is she able to keep any fluids down at all, or does she have any other symptoms like a fever or dizziness right now?

Pain going from the tummy through to the back, paired with persistent vomiting, is a combination of symptoms that needs prompt medical evaluation . ¹

When to Seek Immediate Emergency Help

According to the NHS guidance on acute pancreatitis, you should call 999 or go to your nearest A&E immediately if she is experiencing sudden, severe tummy pain that spreads to her back, especially if it is accompanied by any of these warning signs:¹

• Inability to keep any fluids down or continuous, violent vomiting
• A high temperature (fever) or chills
• A very fast heartbeat or dizziness/feeling faint
• Tummy that feels very tender, hard, or swollen
• Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice)¹

What Might Be Causing This?

Stomach-to-back pain combined with nausea or vomiting often points to issues involving the upper digestive tract or surrounding organs, such as:

• Acute Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, which classically causes severe upper tummy pain that wraps around or shoots straight through to the back, often triggered by gallstones.¹
• Gallbladder Issues / Gallstones: A gallstone attack or acute cholecystitis can cause sharp upper-right or central abdominal pain that radiates to the back or shoulder.
• Peptic Ulcer Disease: A severe ulcer in the stomach or duodenum can cause deep, burning or piercing upper-abdominal pain and upset stomach.
• Kidney Stones: Stones in the upper urinary tract can cause intense, wave-like pain radiating from the back or flank around to the abdomen, accompanied by nausea.

What You Should Do Right Now

1. Do not give her anything to eat or drink yet, in case she needs tests or a procedure at the hospital.
2. Do not wait to see if it passes if the pain is severe, constant, or rapidly getting worse.
3. If you are unsure whether it requires an emergency ambulance or a visit to an urgent care centre, you can use the NHS 111 Online Service or call 111 immediately for tailored clinical advice.¹

To help me narrow down what kind of advice might be relevant right now:

• How sudden and severe is the pain on a scale of 1 to 10?
• Does the pain get worse after eating or change when she moves?
• How long has this pain and vomiting been going on?

Pain that goes from the tummy through to the back, paired with being sick (vomiting or nausea), is a warning sign that needs prompt medical attention.¹

When to seek immediate emergency care

Call 999 or go straight to your nearest A&E right away if the pain is severe, sudden, or comes with any of these red flags:¹

• A fast heartbeat or feeling dizzy/faint
• Persistent or severe vomiting (unable to keep fluids down)
• A high temperature or shivers/fever
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• A very hard or rigid tummy¹

What this could be

This specific pattern of pain (wrapping from the abdomen to the back) often points to issues with internal organs like:

• Acute Pancreatitis: Sudden inflammation of the pancreas, which frequently causes upper tummy pain radiating to the back alongside nausea and vomiting.
• Gallstones or Biliary Colic: A blockage or irritation in the gallbladder or bile ducts.
• Kidney Issues: Such as a severe kidney infection or kidney stones.¹

What you should do right now

1. Do not give her anything to eat or drink until a doctor or NHS professional has assessed her, especially if she might need tests or a hospital evaluation.
2. Call NHS 111 (dial 111 from your phone) for urgent medical advice if you are unsure whether to go straight to A&E, or call 999 immediately if the pain is escalating or she is very unwell. You can access online guidance via the NHS 111 Service.¹

To help me give you more relevant information:

• How long has she had this pain, and is it constant or coming in waves?
• Does she have a temperature or feel feverish?

I'm really sorry your mum is going through this. ❤️ But I am concerned by what you're describing.

Pain that goes from the tummy through to the back, alongside repeated vomiting, can be a sign of something that needs urgent medical attention.

Some possible causes include:

• Acute pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas. This can cause severe upper abdominal pain that travels through to the back, often with persistent vomiting.
• Gallstones or gallbladder inflammation – can cause abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, sometimes spreading to the back.
• Stomach ulcer – can cause significant abdominal pain and, in some cases, complications.
• Kidney problems – can cause pain spreading from the side or abdomen into the back, with vomiting.

(Please seek urgent medical help now)

If the pain is severe, she keeps vomiting, or she looks very unwell, call 999 or go to A&E. Don't wait for it to pass. If she's stable but the symptoms are ongoing, call NHS 111 urgently.

Can I ask you 5 important questions?

1. Where exactly is the pain?

• At the top of her tummy, just below her ribs?
• Around her belly button?
• Lower down?
• More on the left or right?

2. How would you describe the pain?

• Sharp and stabbing?
• Dull ache?
• Severe, constant pain?
• Comes and goes in waves?

3. How long has she been experiencing this?

• A few hours?
• Since yesterday?
• Several days?

4. Is she bringing up everything she eats or drinks, or just feeling sick?

5. How old is your mum?

One particularly important thing: pain in the upper tummy that goes straight through to the back with repeated vomiting can be acute pancreatitis, which needs hospital assessment.

I don't want to frighten you, but I also don't want you to underestimate these symptoms. ❤️

I'm really sorry your mum is going through this. ❤️

Pain that starts in the tummy and goes through to the back, together with repeated vomiting, can be a sign of something serious. She needs urgent medical assessment.

One possible cause is acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Other possibilities include:

• Gallstones or gallbladder inflammation.
• A stomach or intestinal problem.
• A stomach ulcer or, less commonly, a serious abdominal emergency.
• Kidney problems.

Please don't assume it's a stomach bug.

(Urgent medical attention needed)

If the pain is severe, persistent, or she keeps being sick, call 999 now or go to A&E. Don't let her drive herself. If you're unsure how serious it is, NHS 111 can advise, but don't delay emergency help if she's very unwell.

While waiting for help:

• Don't give her alcohol or a heavy meal.
• If she can manage, let her take small sips of water.
• Keep her sitting comfortably or in whichever position eases the pain.
• Tell the medical team when the pain started and how many times she's vomited.

Can I ask you 5 important questions?

1. Where exactly is the pain? Upper tummy (under the ribs), middle, or lower tummy?
2. Does the pain go straight through to her back?
3. How old is your mum?
4. Does she vomit every time she tries to eat or drink?
5. Is the pain constant, or does it come and go?

Also, does she have a fever, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or a swollen tummy?

I can help you understand what might be happening, but please get her assessed urgently rather than waiting for my reply. ❤️

I'm really sorry your mum is going through this. ❤️

Pain that starts in the tummy and goes through to the back, alongside repeated vomiting, can be a sign of something serious. She needs urgent medical assessment.

There are several possible causes, including:

• Acute pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas. This can cause severe upper abdominal pain that travels through to the back, with nausea and vomiting.
• Gallstones or gallbladder inflammation – can cause abdominal pain, vomiting and pain spreading to the back.
• Stomach or intestinal problems – including an ulcer or blockage.
• Kidney problems – such as a kidney stone.

I wouldn't recommend waiting to see if it passes.

(Urgent) Please take her to A&E now. If the pain is severe, she is repeatedly vomiting, feels faint, is confused, has difficulty breathing or looks very unwell, call 999.

The NHS specifically advises calling 999 for sudden severe tummy pain that spreads to the back because it can be acute pancreatitis. www.nhs.uk

You can read more here: NHS – Acute pancreatitis.

Can I ask you 4 quick questions?

1. Where exactly is the pain – at the top of her tummy, middle, or lower down?
2. Does the pain go straight through to the middle of her back?
3. How old is your mum?
4. How long has she been in pain and vomiting – hours or days?

Please don't delay getting medical help to answer me. I want to help you understand what might be happening, but the priority is getting her checked urgently. ❤️