Do you feel a severe abnormal pain in your abdomen and do not know what it means? What are the most common causes and the most effective remedies to remove belly button pain? What can we do and what are the most effective treatments to make that pain disappear as soon as possible?
Abdominal pain in the navel area can have various causes that generate this unpleasant and characteristic sensation.
Although most of the time this pain is caused by gas, a cold or poor digestion, the reality is that this can lead to discomfort, punctures and abdominal pain or lead to more serious complications that require immediate medical intervention.
There are cases in which the pain will disappear on its own after a few days, such as gas, while in others, such as when it comes to appendicitis, it would require immediate medical intervention.
What usually causes belly button pain?
If you feel severe, sharp pain near your belly button and / or groin when you cough or stretch the area, it may be a hernia. Normally, hernias usually manifest as a bulge near the navel.
When part of the intestine or fatty tissue bulges, increasing pressure near the navel, it may cause a hernia that will have to be treated in an operating room.
Navel pain can sometimes be caused by appendicitis. If you have appendicitis, it means that your appendix has become infected and has already started to swell. If you have belly button pain, it could be an infection and inflammation of the appendix that is located in a part of the large intestine. If you have symptoms such as fever and an upset stomach, then it may be appendicitis.
When should I really start worrying about my belly button pain?
In many cases, navel pain is due to poor digestion or having consumed acidic or very spicy foods. Although sometimes the pain tends to disappear after a while, there are many other circumstances in which medical help should be sought in the shortest possible time. Some of the situations before which we should quickly go to a doctor are:
- Strong pain.
- Intermittent pain
- Persistent abdominal pain for a long period of time.
- Uncontrollable vomiting or inability to keep food in the stomach for two or more days.
- Dehydration, such as dark urine, due to fluid retention.
- Bloody or very dark stools.
- Pain from an injury to the abdomen.
However, there are many other situations where the navel pain is so strong and persistent that it is best to visit a doctor so that he can help you in the best possible way.
How to permanently eliminate belly button pain?
If you decide to visit a doctor to help you diagnose what is happening to you, it is recommended that you provide information about the pain in the navel that you are suffering as detailed as possible, as well as the duration and severity of the symptoms that come presenting.
- Consistency of pain. Is it permanent or sporadic pain? Does it appear only when you move? What movements are those that cause you that pain? Is the pain the same in the morning as it is at night, or does the pain seem to cycle?
- Type of pain. Do you only feel a discomfort in the navel area or is it such extreme pain that it prevents you from moving? Do you feel it on the surface of your skin or is it something on the inside of your abdomen?
- Time that you have been suffering pain, as well as other symptoms. Have you suffered from any illness recently? Have you ever felt the same pain in the past? You have a fever?
- Digestive information. Have you had a regular bowel movement? How is its consistency? Have you had diarrhea, gas or some other type of problem in the intestines?
Remember that the more information you provide, the more accurate your doctor's diagnosis will be. Start by listing the symptoms, their severity, and duration as soon as possible, and check with your doctor as soon as possible.
15 common causes of belly button pain and how to treat each one
There are a wide variety of causes for belly button pain, ranging from hiccups to major organ damage. If you feel pain near your belly button and it is accompanied by some other symptoms, then perhaps you can find an explanation for your discomfort below. You should know that all these causes can also be symptoms of another disease, so pay attention to your own body to determine if it could be something else.
Do not forget that only a doctor can give you a reliable diagnosis, so if you feel that the pain is intense and lasting over time, it is best that you go to the consultation to undergo a medical check-up.
Gases
In addition to being annoying, they can also be very painful. They are often mistaken for gallstones, appendicitis, and sometimes heart problems. If gas pain doesn't interfere with your daily life, then there is nothing to worry about.
However, it is highly advisable to see a doctor if the presence of gas lasts longer than usual, generating pain, bloody stools, nausea and / or vomiting, chest pain, weight loss and change in the consistency and color of the stool.
Cold
Colds can cause a variety of effects on the body, including abdominal pain in the navel area.
To treat the cold it is important to know what its causes are. In some cases, modifying some aspects of the lifestyle can be the master step in solving the pain caused by a cold. For example, drinking more water, eating more fiber, or exercising regularly is usually enough to end the problem in most cases. However, at other times it may mean that there is an underlying disease and it is best to see a doctor.
If you think that your belly button pain has something to do with a cold, try modifying your eating and sports habits. If it persists, go to the doctor so that the doctor can apply the treatment he considers appropriate based on your symptoms.
Indigestion
Indigestion problems rarely come alone, as they are usually a symptom of impending illness.
If you feel pain in your abdomen, nausea and vomiting, burning in the stomach and upper abdomen, a feeling of heaviness during or after food, gas or an acid taste in your mouth, then you may be facing a digestive problem.
Although it is usually a common problem, in certain conditions digestion can be associated with ulcers or acid reflux. In this case, it is best to avoid spicy foods, eat more slowly to avoid swallowing air and reduce calorie intake after nightfall.
If despite these changes, your indigestion continues to persist, then it is time to visit a doctor.
Food Allergy
Most of the time, food allergies are caused by one of 8 allergens: wheat, soy, milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.
Among the most common allergic reactions we can find: vomiting and stomach discomfort, hives, respiratory problems, dizziness and vertigo, low blood pressure, cough, anaphylactic shock or swelling of the tongue.
Allergic reactions to food usually occur within a couple of hours after consumption. If you think you have an allergy to something you have eaten, it is very important that you write down what foods you have eaten, the symptoms you are experiencing and when they first appeared so that your doctor can prescribe the correct treatment for you.
Lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance makes those who suffer from it unable to digest lactose. Lactose is the sugar found in milk. You can be born lactose intolerant or you can develop it over time.
If you suffer: gas, colic, nausea, vomiting and / or diarrhea and, in addition, you notice discomfort in the abdominal area, it may be because you are lactose intolerant. If symptoms persist, it is best to see your doctor so they can confirm if you really suffer from lactose intolerance.
Food poisoning
We can find a multitude of types of food poisoning, which will depend exclusively on what type of contaminant we have ingested. Among the most frequent symptoms of food poisoning we find: abdominal pain and discomfort, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and fever.
Most of the time it resolves after one two days, but if the pain is extreme, if you have had diarrhea for more than three days, or you start to see blurred or your extremities shake, then it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Stomach flu
Stomach flu can come on suddenly with devastating effects and can be exhausting and force you to spend long hours in the bathroom. It can be caused by a wide variety of viruses that affect the digestive system. Cold, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain and discomfort are some of the symptoms of a stomach flu.
In this situation, it is best to drink enough water to stay hydrated and eat simple foods such as rice, toast or bananas. Rest also plays a key role in recovery. If you show signs of dehydration, vomit or leak blood and your fever increases, it is best to see your doctor as soon as possible.
Side effects of any medication
Some medicines can have a double effect on our body. Nausea is one of the most frequent side effects that we can find. It may also be the case that one treatment interferes with another, leading to new and much worse symptoms.
If you feel strange abdominal pain and are under the treatment of one or more medicines, it is best to consult with your doctor so that you can change your treatment.
Urinary tract infection
Both men and women can get a urinary tract infection. However, this type of condition is usually more common in women. If you suffer: pain or pressure in the lower abdomen, changes in the color, bleeding or the smell of your urine, burning sensation when urinating, fever or frequent urge to urinate even when you have just done it, it is because you may be facing a urinary tract infection. In this case, it is best to visit the doctor so that he can do a urine test that allows him to know what is the best treatment for you.
Hernia
The stomach, bladder, and intestines are abdominal organs that have weak points.
Hernia occurs when part of an organ is displaced, thus protruding from the muscle or wall of tissue that contains it, giving rise to a bulge. The abdomen is one of the areas where most hernias are concentrated due to the large number of organs found here.
Among the most common types of hernia that we can find, those that cause navel pain are: bladder, stomach, intestine and navel hernias.
If you feel swelling in the abdomen or groin area that is hidden when you lie down; heaviness in the abdomen accompanied by blood in the stool or cold; and / or discomfort in the abdomen and groin when lifting weight or exerting considerable effort, it may be a hernia. In this case, it is best to go to the doctor to confirm that it really is that.
Appendicitis
The most common symptoms that will help you discover if it is appendicitis are:
- Pain near the navel or in the upper abdominal part that travels to the lower right part of the abdomen.
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting due to abdominal pain
- High fever
- Inability to pass gas
If you suffer from appendicitis symptoms, it is very important to see a doctor quickly, since appendicitis is considered a medical emergency given the seriousness of the potential for its complications.
Pregnancy
There are many reasons why a woman can feel pain, and one of them is know if you can be pregnant.
Navel pain is usually more common in the second and third trimesters as the belly is in full expansion.
The intensity of the pain depends on some factors, but eventually it usually disappears without complications.
Some of the most common causes of this pain during pregnancy are:
- Stretching of the skin and muscles
- Inherited pressure from the expanding uterus
- Umbilical hernia
Unless you're experiencing vomiting, cramps, bloating, bleeding, or a fever, this is only a temporary pain that will go away in no time.
Crohn's syndrome
This is one of the most serious ailments that can occur in the navel area. This syndrome is mainly characterized by inflammation of some part of the digestive tract, with pain coming from somewhere in the stomach and intestines.
While the causes of Crohn's syndrome are genetic, pain can be triggered by environmental factors. Some of the most typical symptoms are: stomach pain, frequent diarrhea, loss of appetite, fever, weight loss and anemia.
If you present these symptoms for a long period of time, visiting a doctor can find a solution to all these discomforts. Crohn's syndrome is a disease without a cure that requires specific care and that can take you from worse to better periods over time. The sooner you visit a doctor, the sooner he can put you on treatment so you can feel better quickly.
Surgery
If you have just recently come out of a surgical procedure related to your abdomen, it is quite likely that you will experience some pain in the area of your navel as a result of the trauma that your body has experienced throughout the intervention.
Most of the time, the pain will go away on its own after a while, but if it becomes persistent or increases and leads to fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, then the best option is to see your doctor as soon as you can.
Ulcer
Feeling pain near the navel can also be a symptom of an ulcer.
Ulcers are erosions of the digestive tract that may have been developed by a variety of factors, such as hyperacidity, bacterial infections, and stress. Ulcers can be much more serious when you consume acidic and spicy foods or when you are psychologically affected. In the most severe cases, ulcers can lead to major symptoms, such as intestinal bleeding that will require the immediate intervention of a doctor.
