Why does my belly button hurt and what to do?

If the navel hurts, it can be a sign of various diseases. First of all, based on the symptoms of the disease, a qualified specialist should conduct differential diagnostics to exclude viral and bacterial infections.

Why does the belly button hurt?

Enteritis

The first cause of this type of pain may be intestinal problems of various etiologies. The most common of these is inflammation of the small intestine, or, in other words, enteritis. It can often be accompanied by stomach diseases or inflammation of the colon. Local symptoms are nausea, vomiting, loose stools, a strong rumbling in the abdomen, spasmodic pain. Later, weakness, general deterioration in health, chills, and fever may appear. When palpating the abdomen, a pain syndrome occurs in the epigastrium. If there are no complications, such a disorder is cured quite quickly. To remove toxins from the gastrointestinal tract, gastric lavage is performed with a light dilution of sodium bicarbonate, magnesium sulfate and castor oil are taken as a laxative. In the first day from the onset of the disease, a complete refusal to eat is indicated, as well as plenty of fluids. In difficult cases, injections of sodium chloride solution, glucose, and caffeine are prescribed. Festal and lactobacilli are also used orally. To prevent the disease, observe hygiene standards, do not eat dirty vegetables and fruits, and eat properly.

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Gastroenteritis

If your belly button hurts, it may be a symptom of gastroenteritis, which occurs as a result of a reaction to unusual food, consumption of contaminated food or water, or side effects of medications. Pain in the belly button is accompanied by nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal colic, and increased gas formation. To restore normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, refrain from eating food and drinking water in the first period after the symptoms appear. If the symptoms do not disappear within 24 hours, but rather intensify, call a doctor immediately.

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Enterocolitis

The next possible cause of pain in the navel is a one-time inflammation of the small and large intestine, or enterocolitis, which can occur as a result of intestinal infections, as well as unbalanced nutrition, eating spicy and fatty foods, drinking alcoholic beverages, prolonged antibiotic treatment, food allergies, etc. Associated symptoms are abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea. Most often, the navel often hurts, but it can also be vague. During treatment, irritating mucous products are excluded from the diet, plenty of fluids, vitamin therapy, herbal medicine, and a gentle diet are prescribed.

Acute appendicitis

If the navel hurts, this may indicate the development of acute appendicitis. The pain may appear in the epigastric region or spread throughout the entire abdominal area, gradually shifting to the right side, sometimes the navel hurts. When palpated, sharp pain is felt. The temperature may rise, the pulse may become more frequent, nausea and vomiting may occur. Such pathology requires surgical intervention.

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Hernia in the navel

This disease causes nausea, vomiting, lack of stool, and the navel often hurts. A dense formation is felt at the site of the hernia, which should never be corrected independently. In such a situation, emergency surgery is indicated.

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Intestinal diverticulitis

The formation of protrusions in the walls of the colon can provoke a condition when the navel hurts. Clinical manifestations of this disease include, in addition to pain in the navel, pain when palpating the lower abdomen on the left side, an increase in body temperature, bloating, rumbling, constipation. The initial goal in the treatment of diverticulosis of the colon, occurring without complications, is the normalization of stool. A special diet, antispasmodics, and less often antibiotics are prescribed. Surgical intervention is indicated when conservative treatment is ineffective.

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Abdominal migraine

If the navel hurts, the possible cause may be abdominal migraine (often occurs in children and adolescents). The pain is quite sharp, has a vague character, can be concentrated in the navel area, the limbs acquire a pale shade and become cold, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting are observed. The treatment may be as follows: tincture of valerian is taken orally at the rate of one drop per year of life, as well as phenobarbital.

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Volvulus

The disease begins acutely. Symptoms: constant or cramping pain in the abdomen, more in the right part, vomiting, gases, constipation, the navel often hurts. With this pathology, siphon and high enemas or surgical intervention are indicated.

What to do if your belly button hurts?

To determine the causes of pain in the navel, in addition to palpation and visual examination, stool and blood tests are prescribed, an irrigoscopy (an X-ray of the intestine filled with a special substance using an enema) and a colonoscopy are performed - this method allows for direct examination of the rectum.

Treatment of belly button pain

If the navel hurts, treatment should be prescribed based on the accompanying symptoms and the overall clinical picture of the disease. If enteritis, enterocolitis, gastroenteritis occur, the patient is prescribed diets, refusal of spicy and fatty foods, antispasmodic drugs (for example, no-shpa), plenty of fluids, a vitamin complex and herbal medicine. In diseases such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, hernia, which can provoke pain in the navel, surgical treatment is indicated. If pain in the navel occurs, consult a gastroenterologist.