What are the causes of a burning sensation in the lower abdomen? How can it be treated? Let’s explore the potential reasons behind this discomfort and the available treatment options.

Causes of Burning Sensation in the Lower Abdomen

A burning sensation in the lower abdomen can stem from a variety of issues, including urological, digestive, or reproductive problems. Some common causes include:

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD is a chronic condition that affects the digestive system and can cause a burning sensation in the abdomen. It occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle that separates the esophagus and stomach, becomes weakened or relaxed, allowing stomach acid to flow back (or reflux) into the esophagus.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

PUD is a condition where the inner lining of the stomach, small intestine, or lower esophagus becomes compromised by stomach acid secretions or pepsin, an enzyme that breaks down protein. This can lead to a burning sensation in the abdomen.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones, which are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys, can cause a burning sensation in the lower abdomen, particularly if the stones are moving through the urinary tract.

Gynecological Conditions

For women, certain gynecological conditions, such as endometriosis, can contribute to a burning sensation in the lower abdomen.

Cancer

In rare cases, certain types of cancer, such as ovarian or colorectal cancer, may cause a burning sensation in the lower abdomen.

Symptoms Associated with Burning Sensation in the Lower Abdomen

The burning sensation in the lower abdomen may be accompanied by other symptoms, depending on the underlying cause:

• Burning sensation during urination (may indicate a urinary tract infection)
• Heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain (common with GERD)
• Upper abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting (common with PUD)
• Pelvic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding (associated with gynecological conditions)
• Unintentional weight loss, difficulty swallowing, and blood in the stool (potential signs of cancer)

Treatments for Burning Sensation in the Lower Abdomen

The treatment for a burning sensation in the lower abdomen will depend on the underlying cause. Some common treatment approaches include:

Lifestyle Changes for GERD and PUD

For GERD and PUD, lifestyle changes such as losing weight, avoiding trigger foods, not eating close to bedtime, and elevating the head of the bed can help alleviate symptoms.

Medication Therapy

Medications such as histamine blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can help treat GERD and PUD by reducing stomach acid production. For PUD caused by H. pylori infection, antibiotics may be prescribed in combination with a PPI.

Surgical or Endoluminal Therapy

In severe cases of GERD or PUD that do not respond to lifestyle changes and medication, surgery or endoluminal therapy may be necessary.

Treatment for Kidney Stones

The treatment for kidney stones depends on the size and location of the stones. Smaller stones may be passed with increased fluid intake, while larger stones may require medication, shock wave therapy, or surgery.

Treatment for Gynecological Conditions

The treatment for gynecological conditions, such as endometriosis, may include medications, hormonal therapy, or surgical procedures.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you experience a persistent or severe burning sensation in the lower abdomen, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following warning signs:

• Unintentional weight loss
• Progressive difficulty swallowing
• Bleeding in the digestive tract
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Recurrent vomiting
• A family history of upper gastrointestinal tumors

Conclusion

A burning sensation in the lower abdomen can have various underlying causes, ranging from digestive issues to gynecological conditions or even cancer. It is important to seek medical attention to determine the root cause and receive appropriate treatment. By working closely with a healthcare professional, individuals can find relief from this discomfort and address any underlying health concerns.

Burning sensation in lower abdomen: Causes and treatments

A burning sensation in the lower abdomen may stem from a urological, digestive or reproductive problem, such as kidney stones, ulcers, or endometriosis.

Causes of a burning sensation in the lower abdomen may include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease (PUD), kidney stones, certain gynecological conditions, and cancer.

People should note that a burning sensation in the lower abdomen is not common. It is more common in the upper abdomen, where the pain is usually associated with GERD or PUD.

A burning sensation in the lower abdomen often comes with urination, which means that it may be a urinary tract infection (UTI). However, a UTI may not present with any abdominal pain. For females, there are multiple gynecological conditions associated with lower abdominal pain that might feel similar to burning.

There are other conditions that could be associated with a burning sensation in the lower abdomen. People should talk with a doctor about their symptoms.

Keep reading to learn more about the possible causes of a burning sensation in the lower abdomen, including any associated symptoms and how to treat them.

A burning sensation in the abdomen may be a symptom of GERD, which is a chronic condition affecting the digestive system. It is one of the most common digestive conditions in the United States.

Doctors can identify certain risk factors for developing GERD. For example, some people have motor anomalies that affect the movements of the esophagus. This can affect the ability of the esophagus to clear its contents.

Another possible risk factor is dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter, which can allow acidic stomach contents to rise up through the esophagus.

Symptoms

Aside from a burning sensation in the abdomen, people with GERD may experience:

• heartburn
• regurgitation
• chest pain
• dental erosions
• chronic cough
• laryngitis
• asthma

Treatment

Doctors may recommend several strategies to treat GERD, including certain lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, and endoluminal therapy.

They may first recommend the following self-care strategies:

• losing weight (for people with overweight or obesity)
• not eating 3 hours before lying down
• elevating the head end of the bed
• stopping smoking (or not starting)
• not wearing tight clothing that puts pressure on the abdomen

It may also help to avoid the following potential trigger items, though the research into the effectiveness of avoiding them is limited:

• chocolate
• caffeine
• spicy foods
• citrus fruits
• mint
• fatty foods
• carbonated beverages

Instead, a doctor may simply advise a person to avoid foods and beverages that they know worsen their symptoms.

Some medications that can help treat GERD include histamine blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

For people with severe symptoms that do not respond to the above self-care strategies or medications, surgery or endoluminal therapy may be necessary.

People with PUD may also experience a burning sensation in the abdomen.

Doctors will diagnose PUD when the inner lining of the stomach, small intestine, or lower esophagus becomes compromised by stomach acid secretions or pepsin. This is an enzyme that breaks down protein.

Doctors have identified several factors that may cause PUD, including:

• Helicobacter pylori infection
• use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• use of other medications, such as corticosteroids, bisphosphonates, potassium chloride, steroids, or fluorouracil

Smoking may also play a role in intestinal ulcers, while alcohol consumption can irritate the stomach and promote gastric acid release into the stomach.

Symptoms

People with PUD experience upper abdominal pain, right below the ribs, about 15–30 minutes after eating a meal. If the person has an ulcer in the small intestine, the pain may only begin 2–3 hours after a meal.

Some other signs and symptoms of PUD include:

• bloating
• abdominal fullness
• nausea and vomiting
• weight loss or weight gain
• vomiting blood
• blood in the stool

The following warning signs require immediate emergency care and a consultation with a gastroenterologist:

• unintentional weight loss
• progressive difficulty swallowing
• bleeding in the digestive tract
• iron deficiency anemia
• recurrent vomiting
• a family history of upper gastrointestinal tumors

Treatment

Doctors will treat PUD with medications or surgery. The options for medication therapy include the same drugs often recommended for GERD. PPIs are the preferred treatment because their action is superior to that of histamine receptor antagonists.

If a person tests positive for H. pylori infection, they may require antibiotics. The treatment for H. pylori infection includes two antibiotics and a PPI. People whose conditions do not respond to this protocol may require a quadruple therapy with bismuth and different antibiotics.

If possible, some doctors may recommend that people stop taking medications that contribute to PUD. However, people should not stop taking any medications without first seeking the advice of a doctor.

People with refractory disease that does not respond to medication may require surgery.

People develop kidney stones when a crystal, usually comprising calcium, travels from the kidney through the urinary tract. Kidney stones do not always cause problems and health complications, but some can get stuck and lead to medical issues.

Some risk factors for kidney stones include:

• a personal history of kidney stones
• a family history of kidney stones
• increased absorption of oxalate through the intestine
• UTIs
• low fluid intake
• a history of diabetes, obesity, gout, or hypertension
• acidic urine

Symptoms

People with kidney stones may not experience any symptoms. The most common symptom of kidney stones is a sharp pain radiating to the groin when the stone begins traveling down the ureter. People may describe this pain as dull, colicky, sharp, or severe.

Some individuals may feel nauseous or vomit because of the pain. Blood in the urine is also common. Some people may also report a burning sensation when urinating.

Treatment

Doctors may need to prescribe pain relief medications, since passing a kidney stone is often very painful. People may also take NSAIDs to help with pain. Increasing fluid intake is also important.

Tamsulosin is a drug that helps people pass kidney stones; it reduces the stimulation of the smooth muscle in the urethra.

If a doctor finds a kidney stone that is 6 millimeters or larger, they may need to intervene to manually remove it from the urinary tract.

UTIs are bacterial infections of the urinary bladder. Doctors categorize UTIs as either complicated or uncomplicated. An uncomplicated UTI occurs in people who are otherwise healthy and not pregnant.

The most common bacteria that cause UTIs include:

• Escherichia coli
• Proteus mirabilis
• Klebsiella pneumoniae
• Staphylococcus saprophyticus

Symptoms

People with a UTI may experience:

• painful urination or a burning sensation while urinating
• frequent urination
• pain or tenderness below the belly button
• blood in the urine

People who are very young or old may experience subtle or unusual symptoms. For example, older adults with a UTI may present with confusion or an altered mental state.

The symptoms of a complicated UTI are usually similar to those of an uncomplicated UTI.

Treatment

Doctors treat UTIs with antibiotics. To select the most appropriate antibiotic to treat the infection, the doctor will consider the person’s risk factors for infection with a pathogen that is resistant to multiple drugs.

People with a low risk may receive a first-line therapy such as:

• nitrofurantoin
• trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
• fosfomycin
• pivmecillinam

Learn more about UTIs here.

Different gynecological conditions can cause pain in the lower abdomen that might feel like a burning sensation. These conditions may include:

• a ruptured cyst
• painful menstruation
• endometriosis
• pelvic inflammatory disease

During ovulation, a fluid filled sac, or cyst, may form on an ovary. Most are benign, but they can sometimes rupture and require intervention.

Painful menstruation, or dysmenorrhea, refers to pain during menstruation without a disease of the pelvis. Sometimes, other conditions can cause painful periods.

Endometriosis is a chronic condition of the female reproductive system wherein the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows in other parts of the abdomen.

Symptoms

The following table lists some of the symptoms associated with ruptured cysts, painful menstruation, and endometriosis.

Treatment

Depending on the diagnosis of a burning sensation in the lower abdomen with a gynecological cause, a doctor will select the most appropriate treatment.

The following table lists some treatment options for causes of a burning sensation in the lower abdomen.

Certain cancers of the digestive, urological, and gynecological tracts may present with pain in the lower abdomen.

Depending on the type of cancer, people may experience different symptoms. However, the condition may also go unnoticed.

Although cancer is more common in older adults, anyone with troubling symptoms should arrange an evaluation by a doctor.

Symptoms

The following table lists some warning signs and symptoms of urological, digestive, and gynecological cancers.

Treatment

Different types of cancer require different treatments. These may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Surgery aims to remove the cancer tissue, whereas chemotherapy and radiation therapy use medications or high energy rays to kill cancer cells.

Doctors may select a treatment based on the cancer’s location and stage. Sometimes, people may require a combination of treatments.

People with digestive cancers may also receive targeted therapies and immunotherapy.

People who experience a burning sensation in the lower abdomen may have a digestive, gynecological, or urological condition.

By investigating the other associated symptoms and the person’s medical history, doctors can diagnose a burning sensation in the lower abdomen and choose the most appropriate treatment option for it.

A doctor may also consider some other abdominal conditions, especially in older adults. These may include cancers of the gastrointestinal, gynecological, or urological systems.

Be sure to contact a doctor for a complete evaluation to determine the correct diagnosis and receive the appropriate treatment.

Burning pain in abdomen: Causes, symptoms, and treatment

Burning pain in the abdomen may have several causes, including a peptic ulcer or gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, people feel pain differently, and the symptoms may indicate a more severe condition. Therefore, a person must consult a healthcare professional for proper assessment and treatment.

The abdomen extends from below a person’s chest to the groin. It contains many different organs, including the stomach, pancreas, and gastrointestinal system.

A burning sensation may be present in the upper abdomen and esophagus due to acid reflux or when someone urinates due to kidney stones or an infection. Other conditions may also cause a burning pain at different times, such as while eating or having sex.

This article explores burning pain in the abdomen, its possible causes, symptoms, and treatments. It also explains when to contact a doctor.

GERD occurs when the stomach contents flow back into the esophagus, the tube that carries liquids and food from the mouth to the stomach.

There may be several causes of GERD, including impaired function of the esophageal sphincter or a hiatal hernia.

The condition is common, affecting up to 27.8% or more people in the United States.

Symptoms

One of the typical symptoms of GERD is heartburn. This causes a burning sensation that may radiate into the neck to the abdomen. GERD also causes regurgitation of stomach acid — acid reflux.

Other symptoms include:

• difficulty swallowing
• painful swallowing
• burping
• pain or discomfort below the ribs
• nausea

Treatment

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recommends the following lifestyle modifications for managing GERD:

• avoiding spicy and fatty foods, alcohol, caffeine, citrus, and carbonated drinks
• losing weight, if necessary
• quitting smoking, if applicable
• elevating the head during sleep

However, experts note that diet modification is controversial, and guidelines suggest doctors do not routinely recommend this.

Doctors may prescribe medication to people who do not respond to lifestyle modifications. This may include:

• proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
• h3 blockers
• antacids

Doctors may recommend surgery for severe cases of GERD that do not respond to the above treatments.

Peptic ulcers are sores on the lining of the stomach or duodenum. People sometimes call them duodenal ulcers or peptic ulcer disease. Helicobacter pylori bacteria are the most common cause of peptic ulcers, which affect up to 6% of people in the U.S.

Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, may also cause ulcers to develop. Older adults and those who smoke are more at risk.

Symptoms

The NIDDK advises that the most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is abdominal pain that may be burning or dull. The pain may come and go or worsen at night or when the stomach is empty or full. Other common symptoms include:

• feeling full too soon while eating a meal
• feeling uncomfortably full after eating a meal
• nausea and vomiting
• bloating
• burping

However, the NIDDK notes some people have no symptoms until an ulcer leads to complications, such as bleeding or a blockage in the stomach.

Treatment

Doctors look at the cause of a peptic ulcer and may treat it with medications. Treatments may include:

• PPIs or h3 blockers
• antibiotics or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol) to treat H.pylori infection
• avoiding NSAIDs
• quitting smoking

Doctors may suggest a gastrointestinal tract endoscopy to obtain a biopsy or, in rare cases, surgery to treat peptic ulcers that do not heal.

Chronic pancreatitis is when inflammation permanently damages the pancreas and stops it from working correctly. The pancreas is a small organ behind the stomach that helps people digest food.

The condition is different from acute pancreatitis, which is a short-term condition.

Symptoms

According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), chronic pancreatitis causes a burning or shooting pain in the abdomen that comes and goes but may last for hours or days.

Depending on how long the condition has lasted, people may experience the following symptoms:

• nausea
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• greasy, foul-smelling stools
• fatty stools (steatorrhea)
• diarrhea
• weight loss

With advanced disease, people may also experience jaundice or symptoms of diabetes. If cysts develop as a complication, someone may have bloating, indigestion, or dull tummy pain.

Treatment

The damage to the pancreas is permanent, but healthcare professionals can help a person manage symptoms. Doctors may advise:

• stopping drinking alcohol
• quitting smoking
• pain-relieving medication
• surgery

Sometimes, people may feel a burning sensation in the lower abdominal or genital area when they urinate. This may be as a result of kidney stones or a urinary tract infection (UTI) such as cystitis.

Endometriosis can cause pain in the abdomen, and people may experience a burning pain during or after sex.

There may be several reasons someone can have burning pain in the abdomen, and a healthcare professional needs to assess symptoms to diagnose the cause.

People may feel or describe pain differently, so a healthcare professional must assess and diagnose conditions using a person’s symptoms and clinical investigations.

Someone with abdominal pain or burning sensations must discuss these symptoms with a healthcare professional.

Acute abdominal pain can also indicate severe conditions such as appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease complications, or cancer.

A person should attend the emergency room if they experience sudden onset, severe abdominal pain.

Burning pain in the abdomen may be due to a peptic ulcer or GERD. Chronic pancreatitis also causes long-term abdominal symptoms, including burning pain.

Someone may feel burning pain lower in the abdomen or when urinating due to kidney stones or a UTI. Additionally, endometriosis or other gynecological conditions may cause burning pain.

A person must discuss their symptoms with a doctor, who may want to perform tests. Depending on the cause of abdominal burning pain, treatments may include lifestyle modifications, medication, or surgery.

People must attend the emergency room if abdominal pain comes on suddenly and is severe.

Pain in the center of the abdomen (in the navel area)

It is better to consult a doctor, rather than looking for answers on the Internet yourself and wasting your time!

PAIN IN THE STOMACH is a serious signal, and sometimes a “cry” of the body about its problem. This is one of the most common complaints in patients with diseases not only of the gastrointestinal tract, but also of other body systems. Sometimes even specialists find it difficult to immediately find out the cause of the pain. It is important to know that abdominal pain sometimes requires emergency care.

PAIN IN THE CENTER OF THE ABDOMINAL (IN THE AREA OF THE UMMBILLA) – painful sensation of a cramping, pulling, bursting, burning, aching character in the umbilical region. It can be acute and chronic.

Acute pain in the umbilical region occurs abruptly, grows rapidly and becomes so intense and unbearable that it interferes with human activity. This pain can be cutting, bursting, cramping, stabbing or “dagger” in nature.

“Symptoms of anxiety”: if acute abdominal pain occurs for the first time, is of high intensity, accompanied by fever, chills, increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal distension, constipation or diarrhea, black, tarry stools , tension of the anterior abdominal wall, sharp pain when lightly touching the abdomen or pushing the bed – you should immediately consult a doctor, as an examination of the abdomen, blood tests, ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the abdominal cavity and, possibly, other studies to exclude acute surgical and other severe pathology.

Causes of acute pain around the navel:

• acute appendicitis

• diseases of the small intestine (infectious, helminthic and parasitic, inflammatory diseases, acute intestinal obstruction)

• vascular lesions of the abdominal cavity (dissecting aortic aneurysm, thrombosis and embolism of the mesenteric vessels of the abdominal cavity)

• Mesenteric lymph node involvement (lymphadenitis, tumor)

• hernia of the abdominal wall (strangulation)

Chronic pain in the umbilical region is pain that is present continuously or intermittently for 3 or more months. It happens aching, burning, pulling, bursting, sometimes it is felt as heaviness or discomfort.

“Symptoms of anxiety”: if chronic abdominal pain is accompanied by weight loss, fever, loss of appetite, blood in the stool, jaundice, edema development, abdominal enlargement, increasing weakness, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible to exclude severe organic pathology.

Causes of chronic pain around the navel:

• bowel diseases (irritable bowel syndrome, helminthic and parasitic infestations, giardiasis, inflammatory diseases of the small intestine, tumor)

• diseases of the vessels of the abdominal cavity (atherosclerosis of the aorta, mesenteric vessels, vasculitis)

• diseases of the mesenteric lymph nodes

In our gastroenterological center “Expert” you will find the cause of pain in the umbilical region, prescribe the necessary examination and treatment. We have the most modern expert-class equipment (ultrasound, endoscopy). Experienced and attentive specialists – a gastroenterologist, a neurologist, a surgeon, ultrasound diagnostics doctors and endoscopists, and, if necessary, a psychotherapist – will come to your aid.

Pain in the umbilical region – causes, diagnosis and treatment

What is the navel region

Navel area is the area located in the center of the abdomen, around the navel. On average, it reaches 10 cm in length and width.

The navel is the scar left by a cut umbilical cord.

Stomach, liver, gallbladder, duodenum, small intestine, appendix can give pain to this area.

In most cases, the doctor can guess the cause of the pain by the nature of the pain and associated symptoms. To confirm the diagnosis, laboratory blood tests are prescribed, as well as ultrasound (ultrasound), radiography, endoscopic examination, or computed tomography.

Varieties of pain in the umbilical region

Abdominal pain around the umbilicus may be sudden and severe, or may be manifested by slightly noticeable pulling, which occurs episodically – after eating, exercise or a sudden change in body position.

The nature of the pain depends on the cause of the pathology. So, acute pain is a common symptom of food poisoning or appendicitis, and aching pain is a symptom of gastritis or umbilical hernia.

Aching pain

Aching pain is more often characterized by patients as mild, exhausting, as if spreading over the entire abdomen.

This may manifest itself as digestive disorders or viral infections that affect the gastrointestinal tract.

Dull pain

Patients often describe dull pain as heaviness, discomfort, a feeling of fullness in the center of the abdomen.

Such pain is characteristic of chronic or gradually developing diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Acute pain

Acute or so-called stabbing pain is not always a sign of a serious pathology. This happens if gases accumulate in the small intestine.

In addition, it may come from a specific organ, such as an inflamed appendix or pancreas (in acute pancreatitis). Such pain also occurs when internal organs are ruptured, such as the spleen.

In addition to pain, concomitant symptoms may indicate the severity of the condition: vomiting, high fever, chills, increased heart rate and a sharp drop in blood pressure.

If vomiting, fever, chills, increased heart rate and a sharp drop in blood pressure occur, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Causes of pain in the umbilical region

Any pain syndrome begins in the same way: pain receptors in the affected part of the body are excited. It is this excitement that the brain perceives as pain.

The peritoneum, as well as the internal organs, have good innervation (they have many nerve endings and receptors), so any inflammatory processes or organ malfunctions naturally manifest as pain.

The area of ​​the peritoneum is penetrated by many nerve endings, so any inflammatory processes are manifested by pain

In addition, pain can occur when organs are stretched and squeezed by them on the nerve endings of neighboring tissues. This happens with tissue edema after an injury or due to stretching of the intestinal loops with its contents or gases.

Also, pain in the navel may have physiological causes. Sometimes it appears after overeating, intense sports, during pregnancy. As a rule, this is not dangerous: pain and heaviness go away on their own when a person returns to the usual rhythm of life.

Diseases in which there is pain in the umbilical region

The most common diseases that can cause abdominal pain in the umbilical region include:

• irritable bowel syndrome,
• pancreatitis,
• food poisoning,
• chronic enteritis,
• duodenal ulcer,
• umbilical hernia,
• diverticulitis,
• intestinal obstruction,
• appendicitis,
• abdominal injuries,
• oncological diseases.

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a group of symptoms that includes abdominal pain and impaired stool movement.

Abdominal pain in IBS is usually aching, pulling or mild stabbing, localized in the umbilical zone and intensifies after eating, against the background of stress or other provoking factors.

Pain in irritable bowel syndrome is aching, worse after eating

There may be other symptoms:

• fullness in the abdomen;
• diarrhea, constipation or their alternation.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. Normally, it produces digestive juice containing enzymes that help digest food – amylase, lipase and protease.

In pancreatitis, the outflow of digestive juice from the gland is disturbed (this happens after an injury, due to stones in the gallbladder or for other reasons), enzymes cannot enter the intestine and damage the pancreas.

Acute pain in pancreatitis, radiates to the left hypochondrium

Pancreatitis may be acute or chronic. The nature of the pain depends on this. Sharp severe pain in the center of the abdomen, which can radiate to the left hypochondrium, usually manifests as acute pancreatitis.

If, in addition to severe pain, nausea, diarrhea, high fever, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, or rapid heartbeat, an ambulance should be called immediately.

Food poisoning

Food poisoning is the result of harmful microorganisms: bacteria or viruses entering the body with food or water.

The most common causes of food poisoning are:

• Campylobacter,
• salmonella,
• Escherichia coli,
• listeria.

A characteristic symptom of food poisoning is a sharp cutting or stabbing pain in the center of the abdomen in the navel, which occurs 5-6 hours after eating contaminated foods.

Chronic enteritis

Chronic enteritis is an inflammation of the small intestine that can lead to indigestion.

Most often, chronic enteritis develops after a bacterial infection that penetrates the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Less often, alcohol abuse and some dietary habits (spicy and scalding foods) lead to enteritis.

A characteristic symptom of chronic enteritis is a slight aching pain in the umbilical zone. As a rule, the urge to defecate follows the pain. After passing gases and emptying the intestines, the pain usually disappears.

Pain in chronic enteritis resolves after bowel movements and flatulence

Duodenal ulcer

Duodenal ulcer is a disease in which defects (ulcers) form in the upper parts of the duodenum.

Duodenal ulcer characterized by burning pain in the left hypochondrium

Ulcers on the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum occur due to the damaging effects of hydrochloric acid, which is part of the gastric juice and helps to digest food.

Normally, hydrochloric acid does not destroy the walls of the stomach and duodenum, because they are protected by a layer of mucus. If the thickness of the layer decreases, the acid gradually corrodes the mucous membrane of the organs.

The first symptom of a gastric ulcer is a burning pain in the left hypochondrium, which may spread to the entire abdomen and is especially felt in the navel. After eating or taking heartburn medication, the pain subsides.

Umbilical hernia

Hernia – protrusion of internal organs outward through the muscular wall or other tissue. An umbilical hernia occurs when fatty tissue or part of the intestine bulges out at the navel.

Large umbilical hernia in a newborn

Umbilical hernias are more common in newborns, but may also occur in adults.

In infants, hernias form when the place of attachment of the umbilical cord does not have time to tighten with a layer of muscles, in adults – due to overexertion, for example, with constant constipation, due to excess weight or during childbearing.

An umbilical hernia rarely hurts, most often it can be suspected by a characteristic protrusion of the skin in the navel area, which increases with laughter, coughing, lifting weights.

An umbilical hernia easily retracts inward when pressed with the thumb and reappears when released.

As the hernia enlarges, there is a constant dull pain in the umbilical region.

Diverticulitis of the small intestine

Diverticulitis of the small intestine is a condition in which small bumps (diverticula) form in the wall of the intestine and become inflamed.

Diverticulitis of the small intestine looks like small cavities from the inside, which can become a breeding ground for bacteria

The exact causes of diverticulitis have not been fully established.
With diverticulitis of the small intestine, a person feels a sharp, severe pain in the center of the abdomen, usually in the navel area. In addition, diarrhea with an admixture of blood may begin.

If a large amount of blood appears in the stool, you should immediately seek medical help.

Intestinal obstruction

Sharp sharp pain in the navel, accompanied by bloating, may be a sign of intestinal obstruction.

Severe bloating and absence of flatulence are characteristic signs of intestinal obstruction.

Intestinal obstruction is not an independent disease, but a consequence of other pathologies, such as congenital anomalies in the development of the abdominal wall, intestine or peritoneum. In addition, malignant tumors, adhesions or foreign bodies in the intestine, as well as inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) can lead to intestinal obstruction.

If you suspect an intestinal obstruction, you should immediately consult a doctor or call an ambulance.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a small process at the junction of the large and small intestines.

The characteristic symptoms of acute appendicitis are fever and severe pain. It can hurt under the right rib, in the navel or in the entire abdomen.

The appendix is ​​located in the lower part of the abdomen on the right, its length is about 10 cm

The pain is aggravated by coughing, walking or other sudden movements.

With appendicitis, the pain is undulating. It can come and go, but as the inflammation increases, it intensifies and becomes constant.

If you suspect appendicitis, call an ambulance as soon as possible. If possible, do not take painkillers before the arrival of the medical team: they can hide other symptoms that the doctor should be aware of.

Abdominal injuries

Abdominal injuries are potentially life-threatening injuries that may be accompanied by massive internal bleeding. Such injuries can be open (eg, stab or cut wounds) or closed (internal bruising from a car accident or impact).

As a rule, pain in severe abdominal injuries is sharp and is caused by the accumulation of blood between the tissues inside the organs. Depending on which organ is affected, the localization of pain will differ. So, if the intestines are damaged, it can sharply get sick in the center of the abdomen.

An abdominal injury, accompanied by a sharp deterioration in well-being, is an indication for urgent hospitalization and emergency surgical treatment.

Oncological diseases

Neoplasms of the small and large intestine in the early stages, as a rule, develop asymptomatically. As the tumor grows, episodic pains may appear in the navel or to the left of it.

Pain syndrome does not depend on meals or physical activity and gradually increases.

Rare causes

Sometimes the cause of pain in the center of the abdomen in the umbilical region can be rare pathologies: horseshoe kidney, atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta, hernia of the linea alba.

Horseshoe kidney is a congenital anomaly in which the kidneys fuse together.

Atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta – formation of fatty plaques in the vascular wall, with a predominant lesion of the peritoneum.

Hernia of the linea alba – protrusion of the abdominal wall along the middle of the abdomen, the so-called white line.

Diagnosis for pain in the umbilical region

Which doctor should I contact if I have pain in the navel

If there is pain in the navel area that does not go away or increases with time, you should contact a therapist as soon as possible or immediately make an appointment with a specialized specialist who treats gastrointestinal problems – a gastroenterologist.

At the consultation, the doctor will conduct a survey and examination and, possibly, refer you to a narrow specialist – a nephrologist, endocrinologist, surgeon or neurologist.

You should also seek medical advice if:

• in addition to pain, fever, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea;
• people lose weight for no reason;
• there was a burning sensation during urination or frequent urge to urinate.

With the appearance of a sharp acute pain, you should call an ambulance team as soon as possible.

In addition, call an ambulance immediately if:

• vomiting of blood or bloody stools;
• pain radiating to chest, neck or shoulders,
• pain accompanied by shortness of breath,
• developed severe bloating.

To distinguish the suspected disease from other similar pathologies and confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe laboratory and instrumental studies.

Laboratory methods for diagnosing pain in the umbilical region

To evaluate a patient’s general health, a doctor may order a complete blood count.

Clinical blood test with leukocyte formula and ESR (with microscopy of a blood smear in case of pathological changes) (venous blood)

430 ₽

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According to the results of a clinical blood test, an inflammatory process can be suspected, its severity can be determined, and a possible cause of abdominal pain can be suggested.

For the diagnosis of pancreatitis, laboratory tests are used that allow you to evaluate the work of the pancreas, identify violations and start treatment in a timely manner. As a rule, three indicators are determined: the level of glucose, the content of pancreatic amylase and lipase in the blood.

pancreas

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Also, the doctor may prescribe a coprogram (a comprehensive analysis of feces). The analysis shows how well food is digested under the influence of pancreatic juice. If there are not enough enzymes, fat residues, muscle fibers and other components are found in the feces, which should not normally be present.

Coprogram

370 ₽

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For the diagnosis of food poisoning, laboratory tests of feces and blood are prescribed.

Sowing on pathogens of the intestinal group (Shigella spp., Salmonella spp.)

670 ₽

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Helminth eggs

340 ₽

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Echinococcosis IgG (n/col)

690 ₽

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Tapeworms

260 ₽

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Opisthorchiasis IgG (s. c.)

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To diagnose gastric and duodenal ulcers, a doctor may prescribe a complete blood count, a test for C-reactive protein – a marker of the acute phase of inflammation.

C-reactive protein

330 ₽

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In addition, tests for Helicobacter pylori are mandatory, because depending on whether a person is infected or not, the choice of drugs for treatment will differ.

Helicobacter, DNA (Helicobacter pylori, PCR) scraping, count.

440 ₽

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Helicobacter, DNA (Helicobacter pylori, PCR) scraping, quality.

400 ₽

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Helicobacter pylori IgM (col)

640 ₽

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Helicobacter pylori IgA (col) 900 07

640 ₽

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Helicobacter pylori IgG (s/col)

440 ₽

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If a perforated ulcer is suspected, the doctor may prescribe a fecal occult blood test.

Occult Blood (FOB Gold), feces, count.

1 420 ₽

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Your doctor will need a urinalysis to diagnose kidney problems.

Urinalysis

240 ₽

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Pathogenic bacteria, white blood cells and protein in the urine may indicate infection.

Depending on the accompanying symptoms, the doctor may prescribe a Nechiporenko urinalysis to assess the severity of the inflammatory process in the genitourinary system, as well as urine culture.

Urinalysis according to Nechiporenko

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Urine culture allows you to identify pathogenic bacteria and determine their sensitivity to antibiotics in order to select an effective treatment.

Urine culture for microflora

670 ₽

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Urine culture for microflora with determination of pathogen sensitivity to antibacterial drugs

1120 ₽

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Urine culture for microflora with the determination of the sensitivity of the pathogen to antibacterial drugs and bacteriophages

1 350 ₽

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Instrumental methods for diagnosing pain in the umbilical region

Depending on the nature and localization of pain, instrumental examination methods are used:

• ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, kidneys, liver;
• computed or magnetic resonance imaging;
• radiography;
• endoscopic examinations of the gastrointestinal tract (gastroscopy, colonoscopy).

Navel pain treatment

Treatment will depend on the cause of the pain.

Treatment for irritable bowel syndrome usually includes medication to relieve symptoms and psychotherapy.

For the treatment of pancreatitis , as a rule, drugs are used that reduce the production of hydrochloric acid by the stomach, as well as enzymes and antispasmodics. With severe pain – analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Food poisoning is usually treated with antibiotics. In addition, the doctor may prescribe symptomatic drugs: antipyretics to reduce fever, painkillers for abdominal pain, antihistamines for itching.

The main goal of treating gastric and duodenal ulcers is to reduce the production of hydrochloric acid with the help of drugs (proton pump inhibitors). They block the release of acid in the stomach and help the ulcer heal.

In addition, the treatment may be supplemented depending on the cause that provoked the mucosal lesion. Typically, this includes the destruction of Helicobacter pylori, changing drugs that injure the mucous membrane or reducing the doses taken, the use of healing agents and drugs that reduce the production of hydrochloric acid.

Surgical treatment is used only in severe cases of peptic ulcer, and also if the patient develops complications that cannot be stopped by conservative methods.

Treatment of umbilical hernia. Most childhood umbilical hernias resolve spontaneously by 3–4 years of age. If the hernia is large, the child may need surgery. In adult patients with an umbilical hernia, surgery is usually recommended.

Treatment of abdominal trauma and intestinal obstruction. The slightest suspicion of rupture of internal organs or intestinal obstruction is an indication for urgent hospitalization and emergency surgical treatment.

Treatment of appendicitis. The vast majority of cases of appendicitis require urgent surgical intervention. If complications do not allow the operation to be performed immediately, antibiotic therapy and removal of pus through drainage are prescribed.

For the treatment of oncological diseases , surgical removal of the tumor, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are used. The choice of treatment tactics depends on the stage of the oncological disease and the spread of the tumor throughout the body.

What to do with pain in the navel

Any pain is a reason to see a doctor. You can start with a therapist or immediately make an appointment with a specialized specialist who deals with the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases – a gastroenterologist.

In case of acute pain, call the medical team immediately. Before the ambulance arrives, you should lie down, do not eat or take any medications, so as not to worsen the condition and not interfere with the correct diagnosis.

Sources

1. Gastroenterology: clinical treatment protocols.