The human body consists of a large number of organs. They closely interact with each other. When one fails, a person may feel discomfort. Physicians call them symptoms. They are different. It all depends on the reason. One of the most common symptoms is pain. It appears only if there are violations in the body. In order to get rid of such an unpleasant sensation, it is not enough to take an antispasmodic. These drugs temporarily dull the pain, but do not solve the problem as a whole. The main thing is to find out the reason that provoked the appearance of this symptom.
This article will look at what pain around the navel may indicate. In order to avoid serious consequences, it is important to familiarize yourself with the causes of its occurrence. It will also talk about diagnostic methods. However, the main thing is to remember that only a qualified medical professional can make a final diagnosis.
Pain as a symptom. What should doctors say?
It is worth understanding that pain does not arise by itself. It is with this symptom that the body gives alarm signals about violations in a particular organ. It is recommended to contact the clinic immediately at the first manifestations of abdominal pain around the navel. At the appointment with the doctor, it is important to correctly describe the problem. This will help in making a diagnosis. What points should be emphasized? First of all, describe the nature of the pain. It can be aching, sharp, sharp, and so on. After that, specify the exact location of the localization. Do not forget about chronic diseases, if any, and other reasons that are favorable factors. It is also important to know the duration of pain spasms and the frequency of their occurrence.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
The most common causes of pain around the navel are disorders in the digestive tract. They can be of a different nature, for example, aching or sharp. The following diseases can provoke the appearance of pain:
- Abdominal migraine. This disease is a type of intestinal dyskinesia. Painful spasms occur both in the navel and head. Their duration is different. For some people, discomfort can pass within a few hours, while for others, the pain does not stop for 1-2 days. In most cases, children suffer from this disease. In addition to pain, patients also have other symptoms. Abdominal migraine is accompanied by pallor, severe weakness, diarrhea,nausea, rarely vomiting.
- Chronic enteritis. In people with this disease, the small intestine becomes inflamed. This is what provokes pain around the navel (in both women and men). Patients also feel heaviness after eating, gas formation, loss of appetite, bloating. Painful spasm is most often aching in nature. Even with chronic enteritis, gums can bleed in people, dry skin and brittle nails are observed. In addition to these listed symptoms, well-being worsens greatly. As a rule, patients quickly get tired, feel dizzy and weak.
- Intestinal volvulus. This disease makes itself felt suddenly. The first and main symptom is acute pain. It is localized in the navel with a shift to the right side. After a short period of time, the patient will also feel nausea, squeezing cramps in the lower abdomen, gas formation. It is worth noting that some people may even begin to vomit. It makes no sense to fight this disease only with painkillers, as they bring short-term relief, after which the discomfort returns.
- Cancer of the small intestine. The most serious and even dangerous cause of abdominal pain is around the navel. The word "cancer" alone already indicates fatal consequences. Naturally, such diseases are not to be trifled with, as they can lead to the death of a person. Most often, neoplasms are diagnosed as benign, but they can also be malignant. In the first case, the patient's life is not in danger. The main thing is to ask for help in time. Somalignant tumors also should not hesitate. Doctors claim that early treatment significantly increases the chances of recovery. In addition to painful spasms, there may be other symptoms: loss of appetite, nausea, constipation, sudden weight loss.
Umbilical hernia
A fairly common disease is an umbilical hernia. It can appear in both children and adults (men and women). Pain around the navel is not the only symptom of this disease. In addition to severe spasms in people suffering from pathology, constipation, nausea, and severe gas formation are observed. You can notice an umbilical hernia on your own when examining the abdomen. It manifests itself in the form of a protruding formation, it can be either oblong or round in shape. In the early stages, the size is small. But after a certain time, the hernia can increase. And this will lead to not the most pleasant consequences. Doctors categorically forbid self-medication, as such a disease can affect not only human he alth, but also become a threat to life.
Appendicitis
Sharp pain around the navel in men, women and children can occur with acute appendicitis. At the initial stage of the disease, discomfort occurs in the abdomen, and in different places. However, after some time the pain is concentrated in the right lower side. With appendicitis, the temperature can also rise, the heartbeat becomes more frequent, and dry mouth appears. If such symptoms are observed, thenyou can check the diagnosis yourself. To do this, you need to press your fingers on the lower abdomen on the right side. If the pain begins to intensify, then you should immediately call an ambulance. It is also worth noting that with appendicitis, vomiting may begin. This clearly indicates that an operation is urgently needed, otherwise the consequences will be very dire.
Diverticulosis
Aching pain around the navel can provoke diverticulosis. With this disease, the mucous membrane cuts through the walls of the intestine, due to which the navel increases in size, strongly protrudes. It is shaped like an inflated balloon. The navel area is quite painful. With this disease, there is often an increase in temperature.
Diverticulosis can lead to serious consequences. These include purulent complications. Abscesses lead to the development of peritonitis. In some cases, an internal or external fistula is formed. Patients may also bleed. It is determined by the presence of blood in the stool.
Diverticulosis is highly treatable if treated early. However, if the symptoms are ignored for a long time, then complications develop that pose a threat to life.
Pancreatitis
Many men and women often ask the same question: “Why do pains appear around the navel? What exactly provokes them? Above, we have already talked about several diseases that can lead to a similar problem. But that's not all the reasons. One of them ispancreatitis. When the disease becomes chronic, abdominal pain is localized in the navel. They are provoked by a lack of enzymes that the pancreas should produce. Their lack in the intestines leads to diarrhea.
By and large, treatment for pancreatitis is simple. The doctor prescribes enzymatic medicines. These drugs are designed to break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Patients are strictly prohibited from drinking alcohol. They also need to follow a strict diet in order to avoid relapse.
Crohn's disease
If there is pain around the navel in a child of 12-18 years old, then Crohn's disease can provoke it. This disease practically does not occur in adults. Has obvious symptoms. It includes loose stools, often with spotting, sharp pains in the intestines, bloating, spasms in the joints. Boys are at risk. They are diagnosed with Crohn's disease much more often than girls.
Pain in pregnancy
Pregnant women often complain of pain in the navel. As a rule, it is cutting or blunt. There are many factors that cause such problems. Let's look at some causes of pain around the navel in pregnant women.
Sometimes painful sensations appear due to stretching of the liver ligaments. As the fetus grows, the uterus enlarges accordingly. This leads to the fact that the organs located nearby move slightly. And this, in turn, causes unpleasantpainful spasms.
Also at risk are those women who have poorly developed abdominal muscles. In this case, an umbilical hernia may appear. In most cases, after childbirth, everything returns to normal without treatment. However, in the last stages of pregnancy, it is imperative to wear a special belt (bandage). But it is also impossible to completely ignore this problem. If a woman during this period feels symptoms such as rapid heart rate, severe nausea and constipation, then you should immediately consult a doctor.
Sometimes pain around the navel in pregnant women can be due to an intestinal infection. In this case, the spasm will be cramping. This pathology is accompanied not only by pain, but also by diarrhea, nausea, and fever. In no case should you delay treatment, as an intestinal infection can become a threat to the baby's life.
Pain in children
Severe pain in the navel can appear not only in adults, but also in children, and of different ages. For example, umbilical hernia is often diagnosed in infants. It appears due to prolonged crying. It is better for parents to prevent the development of this pathology than to deal with its consequences later.
In addition, pain around the navel can be provoked by intestinal parasites. Given that babies constantly pull all objects into their mouths, helminth infection is diagnosed in them much more often than in adults. With such a pathology, the child will be quite restless, will not be able to fully sleep. Also atit will worsen appetite, which will lead to weight loss.
Psychogenic pain should not be ruled out either. They can appear in children as young as 5 years of age. For example, at this age they often copy the behavior of adults, so it is quite possible to feel spasms. Dealing with such a problem is very difficult. Treatment is provided by psychiatrists or psychotherapists.
Diagnosis
As you can see from the information above, there are a lot of reasons that can cause abdominal pain. They are all quite different. Some of them pose a danger to the life of the patient. Therefore, it is important not to delay the visit to the doctor, as this symptom can indicate 20-30 different diseases.
Getting a correct diagnosis will be difficult. At the first appointment, the doctor will examine and listen to the patient's complaints. Based on this information, a series of tests will be prescribed. If this does not help determine the cause of the pain, then you will need to do an additional examination (irrigoscopy, ultrasound, colonoscopy).
Conclusion
It is important to remember that pain near the navel is an alarming symptom that may indicate the development of a serious illness. At the initial stage, it is recommended to closely monitor the patient's condition. In no case should you self-medicate or take packs of painkillers. This still does not get rid of the problem, and even, on the contrary, will cause complications. Therefore, at the first manifestation of pain, you should immediately go to the doctor.
