Causes of navel pain

Unpleasant sensations, stiffness of movements, and also a possible serious illness are foreshadowed by pain in the navel. It is very important to contact a competent specialist in time to make an accurate diagnosis. After all, the causes of pain in the navel can be difficult to determine.

The most common factors that cause pain in the navel are:

• bacterial, viral, parasitic infection of the intestine;
• chronic enteritis in the acute stage (aching/sharp pain after meals);
• umbilical hernia - a lump appears in the navel area, the disease occurs against the background of nausea, vomiting, constipation and gas formation are often noted;
• ulcer of the intestinal sections;
• appendicitis - pain initially appears in the navel, then shifts to the right. Accompanied by fever and nausea;
• urinary tract infection - pain occurs during urination and then becomes permanent;
• pregnancy.

Pain in the navel is often observed with gastroenteritis, pancreatitis, appendicitis in the early stages of pain, diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon, more often in people over 50 years of age.

Pain in the navel is observed with umbilical hernias, lesions of the small intestine, mesenteric lymph nodes, abdominal aorta. In addition, it is necessary to remember that young children, if they have abdominal pain, often point to the umbilical region, although the true localization of pain in them may be different.

In differential diagnosis, mesenteric lymphadenitis, thrombosis or embolism of the mesenteric vessels are often forgotten. A severe clinical picture is observed with small intestinal obstruction or gangrene of the small intestine.

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Chronic pain in the navel is usually associated with bowel movements (constipation, diarrhea, or alternation of the two).

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Causes of pain in the navel area

Only a doctor can identify the source of pain in the navel area after a thorough examination. Pain in the navel area can be caused by pathology of any organ of the peritoneum.

Various diseases of internal organs are characterized by pain sensations of different localizations, which often do not coincide with the anatomical location of the affected organ. The duration and nature of the symptoms at the time of diagnosis should also be taken into account.

Intestinal volvulus, abdominal migraine, diverticulitis are probable causes of pain in the navel area. Volvulus of the small intestine occurs in the presence of adhesions or adhesions in the peritoneum, as a result of increased peristalsis. A frequent occurrence in infants (especially boys) is accompanied by vomiting, constipation, and pain in the navel. The onset of the disease is preceded by cramping pain that develops into unbearable attacks.

Schoolchildren are prone to abdominal migraine. A rare disease in the clinical picture has cramps of the abdominal muscles, pain in the navel area. Very often, children cannot accurately describe their feelings, since the symptoms are vague. They note paleness of the skin, nausea, vomiting, severe weakness, diarrhea. Attacks appear spontaneously without reference to food intake, and last for several minutes or several days. For diagnosis, it is recommended to consult a neurologist.

Protrusion of the intestinal wall or diverticulitis is the cause of pain in the navel and a consequence of constipation, which causes excess pressure in the intestines. The disease may not manifest itself for a long time. The inflammation process, in addition to pain, entails an increase in temperature.

Causes of pain around the belly button

Intestinal colic is characterized by paroxysmal pains that occur with pathological changes in the intestines. Causes of pain in the navel due to colic are often due to stretching of intestinal loops, irritation of nerve fibers. Colic is most often a consequence of some disease of the internal organs. Along with the violation of intestinal motility, patients observe bloating, spasms, defecation with mucus. Allergic reactions, nervous experiences, gastritis contribute to the development of the disease.

Causes of pain around the navel are small intestine cancer, perforation of the stomach ulcer and duodenum. Small intestinal tumors are diagnosed randomly at early stages (during surgery, X-ray examination to detect other diseases). The course of the disease is detected by colicky pain around the navel, bloating, and bowel problems. Then, anemia, vomiting, and anorexia join the general symptoms. Liver and pancreas dysfunction often occurs.

In case of perforation (violation of integrity) of the stomach and duodenum, the pain syndrome is described as stabbing, unbearable sensations. As a result of the contents of the digestive organs getting into the peritoneum, peritonitis develops with symptoms inherent to inflammation: fever, pain in the navel area, chills. Perforation can be suspected by the black color of feces due to blood getting into the digestive system. If alarming symptoms are detected, a doctor should be called.

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Causes of pain to the left of the navel

The navel helps divide the abdominal cavity into segments. By drawing a horizontal and vertical line across the navel, we get two zones above and two below.

At the top to the left of the navel are the spleen, intestinal loops, stomach, part of the pancreas and diaphragm. Anatomically, the spleen is close to the surface of the peritoneal wall, and the pancreas is deeper (one might say on the spinal column). The spleen performs an important task in the body - it removes spent red blood cells in the blood by destroying their structure. The elements enter the bone marrow and form new blood cells. The causes of pain in the navel are hidden in the process of stretching the capsule of the spleen. Diseases of the organ (for example, mononucleosis) are terrible because of the possibility of rupture even with minor stress during a medical examination. An enlarged spleen can rupture on its own, which will be clear from the bluish color of the skin around the navel.

Accumulation of gases in the colon can also be a factor causing pain to the left of the navel. If the pain is associated with a disease, then other symptoms will definitely appear - bowel movements, mucus or blood in the stool, temperature. The presence of bright red blood indicates a problem in the lower colon (due to hemorrhoids). The presence of black stool, reflecting gastric or small intestinal bleeding, is considered an alarming signal.

Diseases of the stomach such as gastritis and functional dyspepsia are the causes of pain in the navel of a dull, not sharp type with nausea/vomiting.

The pancreas, the functions of which are suppressed by diseases or toxins, brings sharp pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever. The risk group includes smokers, alcohol lovers, diabetics, abusers of steroids and diuretics.

Oddly enough, viral lung diseases (pleurisy, pneumonia) when irritated by the diaphragm can manifest themselves as pain in the umbilical area.

Causes of pain to the left of the navel below are often caused by intestinal irritation due to stressful circumstances. In addition to irritable bowel syndrome, unpleasant symptoms appear in connection with the development of a tumor or inflammatory process in the intestine, diverticulitis or banal intolerance to any food product (for example, dairy products).

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Causes of pain to the right of the navel

To the right above the navel are the liver, gallbladder, part of the intestine, pancreas and diaphragm.

Infections, chemical agents, heart failure - these are the causes of pain to the right of the navel with liver swelling. Problems are noted in the presence of parasites. Any type of hepatitis causes constant, aching pain coming from within.

Liver dysfunction, gallstones are the culprits of pain syndrome to the right of the navel. Pathological changes in the gallbladder develop asymptomatically, but an attack is characterized by acute pain with nausea. Relief does not come even after vomiting.

Biliary colic is characterized by wave-like pain attacks due to the movement of stones in the ducts. When the bile ducts are blocked, jaundice appears.

Acute pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer, colitis or diverticulitis of the intestine, lung infections are the causes of pain in the navel on the right. It should be noted that shingles manifests itself only by pain in the right side for five days. Doctors can take the wrong path, suspecting a problem in the gallbladder, pancreas. Only the appearance of a rash helps to correctly diagnose the disease.

Kidney pathologies cause pain in the front right side and project into the back area.

Inflammation of the appendix begins with pain in the navel itself, followed by a shift to the right. If the source of the pain can be pointed out with one finger, and the pain itself is prolonged, you need to immediately contact a specialist.

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Causes of pain above the navel

Above the navel lie the pyloric section of the stomach and part of the duodenum. The processes of development of the ulcerative defect of these organs explain the causes of pain in the navel. An ulcer can be compared to an open wound that occurs when cells die due to various reasons. The lesion begins in the intestinal/stomach mucosa, deepening and expanding so that it affects the muscular structures and blood vessels. The disease often does not reveal itself in any way. This condition is very dangerous due to internal bleeding. When liquid stool is black (melena), you should immediately go to the doctor.

Often, an ulcer causes perforation of a hollow organ. The resulting hole in the stomach/intestine, pouring its contents into the peritoneum, can be fatal.

The ulcer is described by a burning, sharp pain, often with pulsation. The initial stages of the disease are described by discomfort and a slight burning sensation. Gradually, the symptoms increase and become permanent.

So, the reasons for pain above the navel:

• gastric ulcer - affects the mucous membrane, often vessels, muscles. The goal of therapeutic treatment is to stop bleeding and prevent perforation, as well as eliminate the cause of pain in the navel;
• ulcer of the duodenum;
• stomach cancer – a malignant neoplasm that requires surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy;
• Gastritis - often precedes peptic ulcer disease. Inflammatory disease of the gastric mucosa is eliminated by identifying the cause.

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Causes of pain below the navel

Pain in the lower part of the peritoneum is caused by diseases of the colon or problems of the female reproductive system. The causes of pain in the navel below it in men are associated with diseases of the rectum.

Hormone-dependent cells of the uterine layer with the onset of menstruation are able to grow outward, leading to endometriosis. More often, the congenital disease occurs with fever, vaginal discharge. The process can lead to the formation of a tumor and infertility.

Ischemic condition of the intestine is also marked by unpleasant symptoms below the navel. Thanks to the intestine, food is digested. The organ is supplied with a large number of blood vessels for the fastest possible enrichment of the blood with nutrients. The intestine performs another important role - pushing food through the digestive tract. The vessels that supply blood to the intestine branch off from the aorta of the peritoneum. Lack of oxygen can be caused by thrombosis of the artery that carries blood to the intestinal tract. The process is accompanied by acute sharp pain, paralysis of intestinal peristalsis. The condition requires medical intervention.

Causes of pain below the navel can be provoked by atherosclerosis of these vessels. The disease is characterized by aching spasmodic pains, atonic constipation. As a rule, a chronic and sluggish disease requires constant monitoring and fairly long-term treatment.

Causes of pain in the navel of the lower abdominal area:

• cystitis is an inflammatory disease of the bladder;
• endometriosis – proliferation of the inner uterine layer into the outer tissues;
• inflammation of the pelvic region;
• uterine fibroids are a benign tumor that requires surgical treatment;
• uterine cancer – requires a range of treatment measures (surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy);
• ovarian cancer;
• intestinal irritation - improvement of blood supply to the organ is required;
• peritoneal aortic aneurysm – a protrusion of the aortic wall, which is dangerous due to the possibility of rupture.

The causes of pain in the navel are varied and do not always indicate a specific painful organ. You should not wait for the pain to disappear on its own, because with many serious diseases every hour counts. Only timely medical attention will help avoid life-threatening conditions.

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