Pain Around Belly Button | 10 Belly Button Pain Causes & More

Viral (rotavirus) infection

Rotavirus infection is a contagious gastrointestinal virus that most often affects babies, toddlers, and young children. It causes severe watery diarrhea, sometimes with vomiting and fever.

Adults may also be infected, though usually with milder symptoms.

Rotavirus spreads very quickly when any trace of stool from an infected child contaminates food or drink, or gets onto any surface. If another child consumes the food or drink, or touches the surface and then their mouth, the child will become infected.

Rotavirus in children is a medical emergency because dehydration can set in very quickly. A child can die if not treated immediately. Take the child to an emergency room or call 9-1-1.

Treatment consists of IV fluids and supportive care, usually in a hospital. Antibiotics will not help rotavirus because they only work against bacteria.

The best way prevention is frequent and thorough handwashing, as well as washing toys and surfaces when possible. There is now a vaccine that will either prevent rotavirus infection or greatly lessen the symptoms if the child still gets the virus.

Rarity: Ultra rare

Top Symptoms: diarrhea, vomiting or nausea, nausea, fatigue, abdominal pain (stomach ache), headache

Symptoms that always occur with viral (rotavirus) infection: diarrhea, vomiting or nausea

Symptoms that never occur with viral (rotavirus) infection: constipation, tarry stool

Urgency: Self-treatment

Viral (norovirus) infection

Norovirus infection is caused by the highly contagious Norwalk virus. It spreads when any trace of stool or vomit from an infected person contaminates food or drink, or gets onto any surface. Anyone who consumes the food or drink, or touches the surface and then their mouth, will become infected.

Norovirus brings on severe gastrointestinal upset which is very unpleasant but rarely dangerous. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, and body aches for one to three days. The greatest risk is dehydration due to the severity of the symptoms.

Because norovirus is, indeed, a virus, antibiotics will not help. The best treatment is good supportive care, which means providing plenty of fluids along with mild pain relievers until the patient recovers. Do not give aspirin to children.

If the dehydration does not improve quickly, medical help should be sought. Doctors can provide IV fluids through recovery.

The best prevention is frequent and thorough handwashing, as well as washing all fruits and vegetables. All foods must be properly cooked, especially shellfish.

Stomach ulcer

A peptic ulcer or gastric ulcer is an open sore that forms when inflammation occurs in the stomach lining.

This stomach inflammation is caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and by prolonged use of pain relievers such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Chronic inflammation allows acid to damage the stomach lining and an ulcer may form.

Smoking, drinking alcohol, stress, and spicy foods may aggravate ulcers, but do not cause them.

Symptoms include burning pain in the stomach; heartburn; nausea; and bloating.

The pain may be worse between meals or at night. Antacids will only work for a short time. There may be dark red blood in the vomit or stools.

Left untreated, ulcers may bleed and cause anemia. They may perforate the stomach and cause peritonitis (serious infection of the abdominal cavity.)

Diagnosis is made through physical examination and by testing breath and stool for H. pylori. Endoscopy is sometimes used.

Treatment involves a course of antibiotics to kill the bacteria, and medication to block excess acid and heal the stomach.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, moderate abdominal pain, abdominal cramps (stomach cramps)

Symptoms that never occur with stomach ulcer: pain in the lower left abdomen

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Normal abdominal pain

The complaint of abdominal pain and discomfort, with no apparent cause, is one of the most common in medicine. It is a primary reason for patients to visit a medical provider or the emergency room.

The cause of abdominal pain can be difficult to find, because it can just be a completely normal abdominal pain or come from many different sources: the digestive tract, the urinary tract, the pancreas, the gall bladder, or the gynecologic organs.

The pain may simply be caused by overly sensitive nerves in the gut. This hypersensitivity can occur after repeated abdominal injury and/or it may have an emotional cause due to fear of the pain itself.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination, patient history, and simply ruling out any other condition. CT scan is often requested, but can rarely find a specific cause. The benefits must be weighed against the risks of radiation.

Treatment first involves making any needed lifestyle improvements regarding diet, exercise, work, and sleep, in order to reduce stress. In some cases, counseling, hypnosis, mild pain relievers, and antidepressants are helpful.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: abdominal pain (stomach ache), vaginal discharge, fever, nausea

Symptoms that always occur with normal abdominal pain: abdominal pain (stomach ache)

Symptoms that never occur with normal abdominal pain: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, severe abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, vaginal discharge, rectal bleeding

Urgency: Self-treatment

Intestinal inflammation (diverticulitis)

When the passage of food through the colon becomes sluggish, the food can stagnate, increase in bulk, create pressure, and cause diverticula – or pouches – to form in the walls of the large intestine. If these pouches become inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis.

Risk factors are a low-fiber diet, smoking, obesity, chronic constipation, and lack of “good” bacteria in the gut.

Patients over 50, with a previous history of inflammatory disease of the colon, are most susceptible.

Symptoms include persistent abdominal pain; fever; nausea and vomiting; and constipation sometimes alternating with diarrhea.

Left untreated, diverticulitis can lead to intestinal blockage and scarring. Rupture of an inflamed pouch can result, leading to peritonitis. These are medical emergencies. If suspected, take the patient to the emergency room or call 9-1-1.

Diagnosis is made by ruling out other conditions through physical examination; blood, urine, and stool tests; and CT scan.

Less serious cases are treated with a high-fiber diet, fluids, probiotics, antibiotics, and lifestyle management. Others may require intravenous antibiotics and/or surgery.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: abdominal pain (stomach ache), nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea

Symptoms that never occur with intestinal inflammation (diverticulitis): pain below the ribs, pain in the upper right abdomen

Urgency: Hospital emergency room

Indigestion (dyspepsia)

Indigestion, also called upset stomach, dyspepsia, or functional dyspepsia, is not a disease but a collection of very common symptoms. Note: Heartburn is a separate condition.

Common causes are eating too much or too rapidly; greasy or spicy foods; overdoing caffeine, alcohol, or carbonated beverages; smoking; and anxiety. Some antibiotics, pain relievers, and vitamin/mineral supplements can cause indigestion.

The most common symptoms are pain, discomfort, and bloating in the upper abdomen soon after eating.

Indigestion that lasts longer than two weeks, and does not respond to simple treatment, may indicate a more serious condition. Upper abdominal pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, or arm is a medical emergency.

Diagnosis is made through patient history and physical examination. If the symptoms began suddenly, laboratory tests on blood, breath, and stool may be ordered. Upper endoscopy or abdominal x-ray may be done.

For functional dyspepsia – “ordinary” indigestion – treatment and prevention are the same. Eating five or six smaller meals per day with lighter, simpler food; managing stress; and finding alternatives for some medications will provide relief.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: nausea, stomach bloating, dyspeptic symptoms, bloating after meals, vomiting

Symptoms that always occur with indigestion (dyspepsia): dyspeptic symptoms

Symptoms that never occur with indigestion (dyspepsia): vomiting (old) blood or passing tarry stools, rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, fever

Urgency: Self-treatment

Gall bladder infection (cholecystitis)

Gallbladder infection, also called cholecystitis, means there is a bacterial infection of the gallbladder either with or without gallstones.

The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile, which helps to digest fats. If something blocks the flow of bile out of the gallbladder – gallstones, damage to the bile ducts, or tumors in the gallbladder – the bile stagnates and bacteria multiplies in it, producing an infected gallbladder.

Risk factors include obesity, a high-fat diet, and a family history of gallstones.

Symptoms include fever; chills; right upper quadrant abdominal pain radiating to the right shoulder; and sometimes nausea and vomiting. A gallbladder infection is an acute (sudden) illness, while the symptoms of gallstones come on gradually.

Untreated cholecystitis can lead to rupture of the gallbladder, which can be life-threatening.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination, ultrasound or other imaging, and blood tests.

Treatment involves hospitalizing the patient for fasting with IV fluids, to rest the gallbladder; antibiotics; and pain medication. Surgery to remove the gallbladder is often done so that the condition cannot recur.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: abdominal pain (stomach ache), nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation

Symptoms that always occur with gall bladder infection (cholecystitis): abdominal pain (stomach ache)

Symptoms that never occur with gall bladder infection (cholecystitis): pain in the upper left abdomen, pain in the lower left abdomen

Urgency: Hospital emergency room

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, the small, finger-shaped pouch projecting off the colon on the lower right side of the abdomen.

The inflammation is caused by anything blocking or irritating the appendix opening or walls, such as hard stool or damage from other bowel disease. The blocked appendix can quickly swell with bacteria and pus.

Appendicitis is most common from ages 13-30, but can happen to anyone.

Symptoms include sudden, severe pain in the abdomen that begins near the navel and soon moves to the lower right side. There may be low-grade fever; nausea and vomiting; feeling bloated; and constipation or diarrhea.

If not treated, an infected appendix can rupture and cause a life-threatening infection of the abdomen called peritonitis. This is why appendicitis is a medical emergency. If suspected, take the patient to the emergency room or call 9-1-1.

Diagnosis is made through patient history, physical examination, blood and urine tests, and imaging such as ultrasound or x-ray.

An inflamed appendix must be surgically removed as soon as possible.

Acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which creates and releases insulin and glucagon to keep the sugar levels in your blood stable. It also creates the enzymes that digest your food in the small intestine. When these enzymes accidentally get activated in the pancreas, they digest the pancreas itself, causing pain and inflammation.

You should go to the ER. There, diagnosis is made by physical examination, imaging, and blood tests. Treatment typically involves intravenous (IV) fluids and medicines to control the pain.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: constant abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, being severely ill, severe abdominal pain, fever

Symptoms that always occur with acute pancreatitis: constant abdominal pain

Urgency: Hospital emergency room

Acute gastritis

Gastritis means inflammation or irritation of the stomach lining, and is “acute” when it comes on suddenly and severely.

Common causes are infection with H. pylori bacteria in the stomach, which also causes ulcers; regular use of pain relievers; and overuse of alcohol. Smoking, stress, and autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease, Hashimoto’s disease, and type 1 diabetes can all contribute to acute gastritis.

Symptoms of acute gastritis include sudden fullness and burning pain in the upper abdomen, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. If the symptoms last more than a week, or there are signs of blood in vomit or stool, medical care should be sought.

If not treated, gastritis can lead to stomach ulcers due to the presence of H. pylori.

Diagnosis for H. pylori is made through blood tests, breath tests, and stool sample tests. Upper endoscopy and/or barium swallow x-ray may also be used.

Treatment includes lifestyle changes concerning use of pain relievers, alcohol, and other stomach irritants; antibiotics to treat the H. pylori; and medications to reduce and/or neutralize stomach acid.

• Have you experienced any nausea?
• Any fever today or during the last week?
• Have you lost your appetite recently?
• How would you describe the nature of your abdominal pain?

Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions.

8 Causes, When to Seek Help, Treatment

Periumbilical pain is a type of abdominal pain that is localized in the region around or behind your belly button. This part of your abdomen is referred to as the umbilical region. It contains parts of your stomach, small and large intestine, and your pancreas.

There are many conditions that can cause periumbilical pain. Some of them are quite common while others are rarer.

Read on to learn the possible causes for periumbilical pain and when you should seek medical attention.

1. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of your digestive tract. You may also have heard it referred to as the “stomach flu.” It can be caused by a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection.

In addition to abdominal cramps, you may experience the following symptoms:

• diarrhea
• nausea or vomiting
• fever
• clammy skin or sweating

Gastroenteritis usually doesn’t require medical treatment. Symptoms should resolve within a few days. However, dehydration can be a complication with gastroenteritis due to water lost through diarrhea and vomiting. Dehydration can be serious and require treatment, especially in children, older adults, and in people with a weakened immune system.

2. Appendicitis

Periumbilical pain can be an early sign that you have appendicitis. Appendicitis is inflammation of your appendix.

If you have appendicitis, you may feel sharp pain around your navel that eventually shifts to the lower right side of your abdomen. Additional symptoms can include:

• abdominal bloating
• nausea or vomiting
• pain that becomes worse when you cough or make certain movements
• digestive disturbances, such as constipation or diarrhea
• fever
• loss of appetite

Appendicitis is a medical emergency. If it’s not treated quickly, your appendix can rupture. A ruptured appendix can cause potentially life-threatening complications. Learn more about the emergency signs and symptoms of appendicitis.

Treatment for appendicitis is surgical removal of your appendix.

3. Peptic ulcer

A peptic ulcer is a type of sore that can form in your stomach or upper small intestine (duodenum).

Peptic ulcers can be caused by a variety of things, such as infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria or long-term use of drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or aspirin.

If you have a peptic ulcer, you may feel a burning pain around your belly button or even up to your breastbone. Further symptoms include:

• stomach upset
• feeling bloated
• nausea or vomiting
• loss of appetite
• burping

Your doctor will work with you to determine the right treatment for your peptic ulcers. Medications may include:

• proton pump inhibitors
• histamine receptor blockers
• protectants, such as sucralfate (Carafate)

4. Acute pancreatitis

Pancreatitis can cause periumbilical pain in some cases. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of your pancreas.

Acute pancreatitis can come on suddenly. It can be caused by various things, including alcohol, infection, medications, and gallstones.

In addition to slowly worsening abdominal pain, symptoms of pancreatitis can include:

• nausea or vomiting
• fever
• an increase in heart rate

A mild case of pancreatitis can be treated with bowel rest, intravenous (IV) fluids, and pain medication.

More severe cases typically require hospitalization.

If the pancreatitis is due to gallstones, surgery may be required to remove the gallstones or the gallbladder itself.

5. Umbilical hernia

An umbilical hernia is when abdominal tissue bulges out through an opening in the abdominal muscles around your belly button.

Umbilical hernias most often occur in infants, but they can also occur in adults.

An umbilical hernia can cause a feeling of pain or pressure at the site of the hernia. You may see a bulge or bump.

In infants, most umbilical hernias will close up by the age of 2. In adults with an umbilical hernia, surgery is typically recommended in order to avoid complications such as intestinal obstruction.

6. Small bowel obstruction

Small bowel obstruction is a partial or complete block of your small intestine. This blockage can prevent the contents of your small intestine from passing further into your digestive tract. Left untreated, it can become a serious condition.

Several things can cause small bowel obstruction, including:

• infections
• hernias
• tumors
• inflammatory bowel disease
• scar tissue from previous abdominal surgery (adhesions)

In addition to abdominal pain or cramps, you may experience:

• nausea and vomiting
• abdominal bloating
• dehydration
• loss of appetite
• severe constipation or inability to pass stool
• fever
• an increase in heart rate

If you have a small bowl obstruction, you will need to be hospitalized.

While at the hospital your doctor will give you IV fluids and medications to relieve your nausea and vomiting. Bowel decompression may also be performed. Bowel decompression is a procedure that helps reduce pressure within your intestine.

Surgery may be needed in order to repair the obstruction, especially if it’s caused by a previous abdominal surgery.

7. Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Aortic aneurysm is a serious condition caused by the weakening or bulging of the walls of your aorta. Life-threatening problems can occur if the aortic aneurysm ruptures. That can allow blood from the aorta to leak into your body.

As an abdominal aortic aneurysm gets larger, you may feel a steady, pulsing pain in your abdomen.

If an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures, you’ll feel sudden and stabbing pain. The pain may radiate to other parts of your body.

Additional symptoms include:

• difficulty breathing
• low blood pressure
• an increase in heart rate
• fainting
• a sudden weakness on one side

Treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm may include lifestyle changes such as controlling your blood pressure and quitting smoking. Surgery or placement of a stent may also be recommended.

A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is a medical emergency and requires immediate surgical intervention.

8. Mesenteric ischemia

Mesenteric ischemia is when blood flow to your intestines is interrupted. It’s typically caused by a blood clot or embolism.

If you have mesenteric ischemia, you may initially feel severe abdominal pain or tenderness. As the condition progresses, you may also experience:

• an increase in heart rate
• blood in your stool

If you suspect mesenteric ischemia, seek immediate medical attention. Treatments can include surgery and anticoagulation therapy.

If you’re experiencing periumbilical pain that lasts more than a few days, you should make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your symptoms.

Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing the following symptoms in addition to periumbilical pain:

• severe abdominal pains
• fever
• nausea and vomiting that doesn’t go away
• blood in your stool
• swelling or tenderness of your abdomen
• unexplained weight loss
• yellowish skin (jaundice)

To determine the cause of your pain, your doctor will first take your medical history and perform a physical examination.

Depending on your medical history, symptoms, and physical examination, your doctor may perform additional tests to help reach a diagnosis. These tests may include:

• blood tests to assess your blood cell counts and electrolyte levels
• urine analysis to rule out a urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney stones
• stool sampling to check for pathogens in your stool
• endoscopy to evaluate your stomach or duodenum for ulcers
• imaging tests, such as X-ray or CT scans, to help visualize the organs of your abdomen

There are many possible causes of periumbilical pain. Some of them, such as gastroenteritis, are common and typically go away in a few days. Others, such as mesenteric ischemia, are medical emergencies and need to be addressed right away.

If you’ve experienced periumbilical pain for several days or have concerns about your periumbilical pain, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your symptoms and treatment options.

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 accompanying 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.

Digestive disorders or viral infections that affect the gastrointestinal tract can manifest themselves in this way.

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 can 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, accompanying 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 permeated with 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 region and aggravated 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 gallstones 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,
• E. 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 food) 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 sign of a stomach ulcer is a burning pain in the left hypochondrium, which can 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 the 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 lack of gas discharge 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

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 acute and is caused by the accumulation of blood between the tissues within 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: a horseshoe kidney, atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta, a hernia of the white line of the abdomen.

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 of pain in the umbilical region

Which doctor should I contact if there is 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 when urinating 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 radiates 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 when pathological changes are detected) (venous blood)

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Based on the results of a clinical blood test, one can suspect an inflammatory process, determine its severity and suggest a possible cause of abdominal pain.

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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Lipase

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Pancreatic amylase

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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

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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.)

Feces (scraping) 67 4 days

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670 ₽

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Helminth eggs

Cal 34 1 day

34 bonuses

340 ₽

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Ven. blood (+140 ₽) 69 3 days

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690 ₽

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Ven. blood 140 ₽

Tapeworms

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27 bonuses

270 ₽

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1 day

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Opisthorchiasis IgG (n/col)

Ven. blood (+140 ₽) 68 3 days

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Ascariasis IgG (n/col)

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Ven. blood 140 ₽

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

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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.

Scraping (+250 ₽) 62 2 days

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Scraping 250 ₽

Helicobacter pylori DNA

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Helicobacter pylori IgM (col)

Ven. blood (+140 ₽) 70 2 days

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Ven. blood 140 ₽

Helicobacter pylori IgA (col)

Ven. blood (+140 ₽) 65 2 days

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Helicobacter pylori IgG (n/col)

Ven. blood (+140 ₽) 44 3 days

44 bonuses

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

Occult Blood (FOB Gold), feces, count.

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Your doctor will need a urinalysis to diagnose kidney problems.

Urinalysis

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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.

Sowing urine on microflora

Urine 67 1 day

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

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

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Instrumental methods for diagnosing pain in the navel

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).

Treatment of pain in the navel

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, treatment may be supplemented depending on the cause that provoked the mucosal lesion. As a rule, it 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.

How to deal 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. 2021.
2. Inflammatory diseases of the female pelvic organs: clinical guidelines. 2021.

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 ABDOMEN (IN THE AREA OF THE UMMBANUS) – 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 in the anterior abdominal wall, severe pain in the lung 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 are necessary to rule out acute surgical and other serious 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 rule out 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.