Pain around the navel: possible causes

Pain around the navel is not always related to the navel itself. The abdominal cavity extends from the lower chest to the groin and contains many organs, so pain comes from different structures and sometimes starts elsewhere. Below is a reference overview of possible causes and signs that require a doctor.

Why the abdomen hurts around the navel

One mechanism is distension of a hollow organ. Such visceral pain (from the organ's own receptors) is poorly localized: the person points to the midline of the abdomen. With bloating of the middle part of the digestive tract, which is supplied by the superior mesenteric artery (from the duodenum to the transverse colon), sensations are projected to the periumbilical area.

The second mechanism is somatic pain from irritation of the parietal peritoneum, mesentery, bile ducts, and ureters: it is more intense and more precisely localized. By course, acute pain (up to three months), chronic, and recurrent pain—at least three times in three months—are distinguished. Severe pain does not always mean a serious problem, and mild pain does not exclude it.

Which organs project to the umbilical area

The periumbilical zone is the projection of the middle part of the digestive tract: the small intestine and transverse colon with the mesentery. Nearby is the parietal peritoneum, irritation of which produces acute localized pain. Spastic intermittent pain is also caused by the bile ducts, ureters, bladder, uterus, and fallopian tubes. Abdominal pain can also start elsewhere, for example in the chest.

Possible causes of pain around the navel

• Gas accumulation, constipation, indigestion — common and usually harmless causes.
• Intestinal infection or food poisoning — watery stool, nausea, vomiting.
• Irritable bowel syndrome — prolonged cramps, bloating, alternating diarrhea and constipation.
• Acute surgical conditions: appendicitis, strangulated hernia, intestinal obstruction, perforation, peritonitis.
• Kidney stones (pain radiates to the groin, nausea, pain on urination) and gallstones (severe pain up to 8 hours in the center of the abdomen or under the ribs on the right).

Pain in the umbilical area in women

In women, gynecological causes are added to the list. Menstrual pain is often cramping. Endometriosis causes intense pain around the date of menstruation, as well as during and after intercourse and during defecation. The "acute abdomen" group includes ovarian rupture. A separate scenario is pregnancy: abdominal pain in a pregnant woman is a reason for urgent medical consultation.

How the character of pain helps understand the cause

Visceral pain is distressing, with sweating, nausea, vomiting, and pallor, and it is difficult to pinpoint. Somatic pain is sharp, with a clear point. Cramping intermittent pain is typical of hollow organ distension. However, the aching nature of pain alone does not allow distinguishing a safe cause from a surgical one; this is determined by a doctor.

When pressing on the abdomen, the doctor assesses primarily the tension of the anterior abdominal wall muscles. This sign is considered the most significant: it suggests an acute surgical disease. Other alarm symptoms: pain as the first sign of illness, refusal to eat, waking from pain, vomiting against a background of pain, absence of stool and gas, pallor, cold sweat, rapid pulse that does not correspond to temperature.

Warning signs and when to see a doctor

A routine visit is needed if pain, bloating, or indigestion do not pass or return, or if a mass is felt in the abdomen. Mild pain that lasts a week or more is also a reason to see a doctor. Urgent consultation is needed for sudden intensification of pain, blood in the stool, unusual bloody vaginal discharge, diarrhea or vomiting that does not stop for several days.

Diagnosis is a medical task. For acute pain, a complete blood count, an upright abdominal X-ray, and abdominal ultrasound are used; esophagogastroduodenoscopy — only if upper gastrointestinal bleeding is suspected. In routine diagnosis, CT and endoscopy are also used. Self-diagnosis for abdominal pain is unacceptable.

Pain around the navel alone is not a reason to call an ambulance. Call 103 or 112 if the pain started suddenly and is very severe, if vomiting of blood occurs or vomit is green or looks like coffee grounds, if there is a lot of blood from the anus or stool is black and sticky, if the person cannot urinate, has no stool or gas, if there is a rash that does not blanch on pressure, or if breathing is difficult.

This material is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer