10 Causes of Pain in the Navel or Around

There are several causes for pain that is located in the navel region, mainly usually due to intestinal disorders ranging from abdominal bloating, intestinal parasite infestation, to diseases that cause infections or abdominal inflammation such as gastroenteritis, appendicitis, intestine irritable or intestinal obstruction.

The pain in the navel can also arise from the irradiation of pain from other organs of the abdomen, due to situations such as pancreatitis and cholecystitis, or even by changes caused in pregnancy and, in addition to this, it can manifest itself in the form of colic, stitches , persistently or may be associated with other symptoms such as vomiting, sweating and paleness.
So to better differentiate the possible causes of pain in this region, it is important to see a general practitioner or a gastroenterologist to perform a full evaluation and identify the cause:

1. Umbilical Hernia

This type of hernia is one of the main causes of pain that arises and is located directly in the navel, and occurs when a part of the intestine or other abdominal organ crosses the abdominal wall and remains between the muscles and the skin of the region.

Usually the pain arises or worsens when making efforts such as coughing or carrying weight, but it can be persistent or intensified when there is a strangulation of the tissues located in the hernia, causing intense inflammation in the region.

What to do : the treatment of the hernia is indicated by the general surgeon that can be from the observation, since in some cases it can be withdrawn alone, or surgery for its correction.

2. Constipation

Constipation is an important cause of pain in the lower part of the navel, since it is common for the distention of the intestine caused by the accumulated gases or feces to stimulate the nerves that pass through the region.

What to do : To avoid constipation, a diet rich in fiber must be maintained, which is acquired through the ingestion of vegetables and grains; Maintaining good hydration with at least 2 liters of water a day to help hydrate the stool are important recommendations to maintain a balanced bowel rhythm without causing inflammation of the abdomen. Laxative medications such as Lactulose, may be indicated by the general practitioner, in case the constipation does not improve.

3. Pregnancy

The pregnant woman may have pain or discomfort in the navel in any period of pregnancy, which is usually normal and happens because when the belly grows the fibrous ligament of the abdomen that is inserted into the navel is distended, a situation that weakens the abdominal wall of the belly button, can cause an umbilical hernia.

In addition to this, compression and distention of the uterus and reorganization of the abdominal organs can stimulate the nerves in the region, causing the sensation of pain in the navel, being more intense at the end of pregnancy.

What to do : if the pain is mild or bearable, it may be kept only under observation, since it tends to disappear on its own, however, if the pain is difficult to bear, the obstetrician may indicate the use of analgesics such as Paracetamol . In addition to this, you should keep an eye on other signs such as redness, swelling or discharge from the belly button, which may indicate an infection, or if the pain becomes more intense.

4. Gastroenteritis

Diarrhea caused by gastroenteritis or food poisoning, may be accompanied by pain around the navel, although it may arise in any region of the abdomen, due to the inflammation that arises during this situation. The pain may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and fever, lasting approximately 3 to 7 days.

What to do : you should prefer a lighter, easily digestible, low-fat and grained diet, in addition to staying hydrated with water, tea and juice. Analgesic and antispasmodic medications such as Dipirone and Hioscin can be used to relieve pain, but if the symptoms become increasingly intense, they last more than 1 week or are accompanied by feces with blood or fever above 39 ° C. important to go to the emergency service for a medical evaluation.

5. Appendicitis

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a small annex that is linked to the large intestine that initially causes pain around the navel and migrates to the lower right region of the abdomen, To know whether or not you may have appendicitis

What to do : in the presence of symptoms indicate this disease, it is necessary to go to the emergency service for the doctor to perform an evaluation and confirm the diagnosis. If confirmed, the treatment of this disease is performed by surgery for the removal of the appendix and the use of antibiotics.

6. Irritable bowel syndrome

This disease is characterized by abdominal pain that improves after evacuation, and is more common in the lower part of the navel, but that can vary and arise in any region of the abdomen. This disease is usually associated with other symptoms such as abdominal bloating, intestinal gas and periods of diarrhea or constipation.

What to do : Confirmation of this syndrome is done by the gastroenterologist, who may indicate a medical treatment consisting of the use of analgesics and antispasmodics to relieve pain; the use of medicines such as Simethicone for the reduction of gases; laxatives for periods of constipation; high fiber supplements; probiotics and / or antidiarrheals for periods of diarrhea. It is common for this disease to arise in anxious people, being recommended to seek psychological support and perform activities that reduce stress.

7. Cholecystitis

It is the inflammation of the gallbladder, which usually occurs by the accumulation of stones that prevent the bile from leaving and causes abdominal pain and vomiting that gets worse after meals. Most of the time there is pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, but it can also be felt in the navel and radiate to the middle back.

What to do : in the presence of symptoms that indicate this inflammation, it is important to go to the hospital emergency, so that the doctor makes an evaluation and confirms the diagnosis. The treatment is indicated by the doctor, and can be through the ingestion of antibiotics, changes in food, intravenous hydration and the performance of surgery to remove the gallbladder.

8. Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a severe inflammation of the pancreas, the main organ responsible for the digestion of nutrients in the intestine that causes severe pain in the central region of the abdomen above the navel that can radiate to the back in the form of a "belt" and be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and fever.

This disease can be acute, in which these symptoms are more evident, or chronic when the pain is milder, persistent, and there are changes in the absorption of food. As pancreatitis can be aggravated, if there is a presence of these symptoms, medical attention should be sought immediately.

What to do : In case of presenting these symptoms that indicate a possible pancreatitis, it is necessary to go to the doctor to be evaluated and confirm the presence or not of this disease. The indicated treatment is usually through dietary restrictions, intravenous hydration and with the prescription of antibiotics and analgesics. Only in severe cases and with complications such as a perforation can the performance of a surgical procedure be indicated.

9. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease can be caused by Crohn's disease or by ulcerative rectocolitis, in which chronic inflammation of the intestinal lining occurs, the cause of which is autoimmune. Some of the symptoms that these diseases can cause are abdominal pain, which can arise anywhere, despite being more common in the lower abdomen, below the navel, diarrhea and intestinal bleeding.

What to do : the treatment of this disease is indicated by the gastroenterologist with medications to relieve pain, soothe inflammation and stop diarrhea. In more severe cases, surgery may be indicated to remove portions of the intestine that may have been affected and damaged by the disease. 

10. Intestinal Ischemia

Changes in blood flow to the intestine caused by diseases such as acute ischemic disease, chronic or venous thrombosis, cause abdominal pain that may be located in the navel, due to inflammation and death of tissue by the absence of blood, and that may be sudden or persistent depending on the cause and the affected blood vessel.

This situation may arise due to atherosclerosis of the intestinal blood vessels or other situations such as spasm of the vessels, sudden drop in blood pressure, heart failure, intestinal cancer or as a side effect due to drug abuse.

What to do : the treatment of intestinal ischemia depends on its cause, and is indicated by the gastroenterologist. It is usually done through diet and the use of analgesic medications, and the use of medications to dissolve the clot, to improve blood flow or to perform surgery to remove the blood clot or part of the inflamed intestine may be prescribed

Other possible causes of navel pain

In addition to the main causes, the pain in the navel can also be caused by less common situations such as:

• Infestation of parasites , which can cause abdominal swelling and bloating, causing pain in the navel region or anywhere else in the abdomen;
• Abdominal tumor, which can distend or compress the organs of the region;
• Gastric or duodenal ulcer , which causes severe pain that can radiate to the navel, also causing stomach upset;
• Urinary infection , which although it usually causes pain in the lower abdomen, can cause irritation of the nerves around the navel, mainly during the act of urinating;
• Swelling due to a blow or an infection of the abdominal muscles;
• Intestinal obstruction  due to compact stool, neurological diseases or a tumor;
• Diverticulitis, which is the inflammation of the diverticula, which are pockets caused by the weakening of the intestinal wall, and can cause pain in the lower part of the navel, despite being more common in the lower left region of the abdomen.
• Diseases of the spine such  as a herniated disc, which can cause pain that radiates to the abdomen and to the navel.

Due to the large number of possibilities that can cause pain in the umbilical region, the best solution is to go to the doctor, who will be in charge of identifying the type of pain, the accompanying symptoms, the individual's personal history and performing an exam General physical to diagnose the cause of pain in the navel.