Stomach pain below the navel: causes and treatment

List of most likely causes

For an accurate diagnosis, you should undergo the necessary studies. But we can highlight a list of the most common reasons why the stomach hurts below the navel:

• intestinal obstruction;
• parasitic infestations;
• premenstrual pain;
• diverticulosis;
• tumors and polyps;
• intestinal infections.

In each individual case, treatment will be different. You cannot diagnose yourself over the Internet and try to self-medicate. Modern methods for diagnosing intestinal diseases are simple and painless - if you have a medical insurance policy, you can undergo them completely free of charge.

Intestinal obstruction: causes and treatment options

One of the most severe conditions is small intestinal obstruction. Blockage can occur due to fecal stones, tumors, polyps, parasites, etc. If a person is not provided with professional medical assistance on time, he may die.

If you suspect intestinal obstruction, you should immediately call an ambulance. The main symptoms of the condition: severe pain in the navel area, absence of feces for several days. Patients complain that there is severe pain in the abdomen below the navel, sometimes the pain is located in the solar plexus area.

Pain below the navel in women: causes, symptoms, consequences

Pain below the navel in women is a fairly common symptom that indicates certain health problems.
Diagnosing the source of the disease is rarely a simple task due to the vagueness of the symptoms, when the patient cannot clearly indicate the location of the sensations that torment him.

The reasons why pain appears in the abdomen below the navel may be as follows:

1. A strangulated umbilical hernia appears below the navel in the form of a sharp contraction, and an oblong formation is visually observed. If you have an umbilical hernia, immediately seek help from a doctor.
2. Intestinal obstruction. The causes of obstruction can be diarrhea, bloating, constipation, and indigestion. Abdominal pain in such a situation appears due to muscle spasms.
3. Diverticulum of the sigmoid colon. This disease can be identified by protrusion of the navel. Diverticula can affect the intestine in any part. The protrusion is accompanied by pain in the abdomen and can radiate to the left side. In addition to the main symptoms, it is possible to increase body temperature to 38-40 degrees.
4. Appendicitis. If a woman experiences pain below the navel suddenly and gradually moves to the right side, then it may be appendicitis. Usually the pain becomes more intense over time, and in some cases the temperature rises.
5. Intestinal cancer tumors. They have a peculiar nature of pain syndrome. As with other intestinal diseases, with a cancerous tumor it manifests itself in the form of short contractions. In most cases of cancer, belching, bloating, heartburn, constipation and diarrhea are observed. Other symptoms may include general weakness for several weeks, weight loss, and loss of vital values.

In addition to these, the cause of spasms below the navel in women is sometimes caused by pathologies such as gastritis, high acidity, Crohn's disease, volvulus, and diseases of the genitourinary system.

Disorders of the pelvic organs can also manifest themselves in the form of pain in the abdomen. In women, pain below the navel is gynecological in nature. This discomfort may be associated with dysbacteriosis, colitis, and bladder disease.

Pain may indicate an enzyme deficiency. Poorly digested food triggers the fermentation process and irritates the mucous membrane of the small intestine. The appearance of unpleasant sensations is accompanied by flatulence after taking a large amount of sweets or legumes.

A sudden sharp pain in the navel area is symptoms of intestinal colic. The cause may be strong coffee, chocolate and foods high in fiber. Sometimes accompanied by chills and general weakness.

This is the result of infection with helminthic infestations or abuse of tea for weight loss.

The appearance of symptoms with fever, weakness and nausea can be caused by poisoning or indigestion. To relieve intoxication, you must take Activated Carbon or Smecta. You also need to drink plenty of fluids, preferably from antiseptic decoctions.

Pain on the left is manifested by pain in diseases of the pancreas and kidney problems.

Pain on the right side also appears as a result of liver diseases infected with parasites or infection. Pain can also be caused by alcohol abuse, physical activity, and stress.

The daily expansion of the belly involves stretching of the skin and muscles, which may explain the discomfort during pregnancy. As the embryo develops, the umbilical cord connects to the porta hepatis. After birth, the umbilical cord vessels join together to form the liver ligament, which may explain the occurrence of pain during pregnancy.

Frequent occurrences of pain near the navel, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and increased gas formation, are sometimes expressed in the form of symptoms of an umbilical hernia, which is not a rare occurrence in pregnant women. A sudden, painful lump requires medical intervention.

Pain may also indicate the presence of an intestinal infection or an attack of acute appendicitis. In pregnant women, the symptoms of appendicitis are atypical, as it is displaced due to an enlarged uterus.

The cause of this pain is most often a hormonal imbalance. Many women aged thirty and above experience an increase in estrogen, and prostaglandins begin to be actively produced, which stimulate the uterus even after menstruation. Some representatives of the fairer sex react too emotionally to stressful situations, after which pain in the stomach may occur due to nervousness.

Pain in the lower abdomen with an increase in temperature almost always indicates the onset of inflammatory processes in the body. Often, high temperature is observed with damage to internal organs, such as rupture of the abdominal aorta, eye infection, splenic infarction, etc.

Often pain when pressed is associated with omphalitis or umbilical fistula.

Omphalitis - inflammation of tissue in the umbilical area in women is quite rare. Basically, it appears when the rules of personal hygiene are not followed or the piercing is performed unskillfully.

Fistula is in most cases a congenital pathology. The acquired form is possible only with prolonged inflammation of the walls of the abdominal cavity.

Pain below the navel when pressed can also result from the development of a hernia or expansion of the umbilical ring.

Painful sensations in the abdomen can indicate a variety of diseases, many of which are dangerous to women’s health. Any type of pain is a kind of signal about the onset of a disease. Therefore, you should not self-medicate, since pain of this kind requires a comprehensive examination and medical assistance.

Pain just below the navel is a very insidious thing. After all, they can be a sign of completely different diseases. In addition, very often doctors cannot make a quick and accurate diagnosis without conducting a series of studies.

If a woman complains that her lower abdomen hurts, but this pain is cutting and accompanied by bloating, then this may be urinary retention. This process does not relate to the disease, but is only a symptom, but in any case you need to undergo research.

As for treating such pain at home, this is strictly prohibited.

Parasitic infestations: how to get rid of the “invaders”?

Parasites, according to medical statistics, are present in the body of approximately 70% of the world's population. They can become infected if you do not wash vegetables and fruits well, dig in the soil with unprotected hands, pet animals, do not wash your hands on time, as well as in many everyday situations. The most common diagnoses are helminthic infestations, enterobiasis, and ascariasis. In order to accurately determine the type of parasites, you should undergo an examination.

The following drugs are usually used to get rid of parasites:

• "Vermox";
• "Dekaris";
• "Pyrantel".

You cannot take them on your own, as each of them has a number of side effects and contraindications. In order to determine which drug will be effective, you need to know exactly what type of parasite caused the illness.

The most common symptoms of parasitic infestations:

• weight loss even with plenty of food;
• stomach pain below the navel;
• belching and nausea both after meals and on an empty stomach;
• bitter taste in the mouth;
• weakness, apathy, low performance.

Diverticulosis: symptoms, causes of development and methods of treatment

The disease develops in the sigmoid colon. It is characterized by some “protrusion” of the navel. Patients complain that their stomach hurts just below the navel. In parallel, constipation is observed, and sometimes blood may be released in the stool. Some patients with diverticulosis complain that the abdomen hurts on the left side below the navel. It is important to seek medical help in time and exclude the development of appendicitis.

The formation of diverticula is possible in all parts of the gastrointestinal tract. A person enters a medical facility with complaints of pain in the left lower part or lower abdomen. Diverticulosis, as a rule, can easily be confused with symptoms of appendicitis or an infectious infection; the disease is accompanied by fever, severe weakness, and a noticeable decrease in performance.

Therapy methods

For infectious processes occurring in the genitourinary organs and intestines, antibacterial drugs, detoxification procedures, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.
The sooner treatment is prescribed, the greater the chance that the disease will not become chronic. In severe cases, surgery is performed followed by treatment with antibiotics and restorative procedures. Surgical removal of tumors is accompanied by radiation and chemotherapy. Control is carried out for 3 years.

Conservative treatment is carried out if there is no direct danger to the patient’s life. In cases of chronic disease, constant use of medications is indicated to maintain the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

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Threat of developing tumors of various natures

The cause of abdominal pain in the navel area and below may be tumors and polyps. This condition requires professional diagnosis. It is almost impossible to feel or otherwise determine the presence of a tumor on your own.

The causes of tumors vary, and sometimes it is impossible to determine them with precision. This can be either a hereditary predisposition or the consequences of poor nutrition and alcohol abuse. There is a theory that certain types of parasites can also contribute to the appearance of tumors in the intestines.

Intestinal polyps are initially benign neoplasms consisting of epithelial glandular cells, attached to its walls with a stalk or a wide base and protruding into the intestinal lumen. They can form in various parts of the large intestine.

Intestinal infections: causes and treatment options

As a rule, they cause pain in the navel area in children. However, adults can also suffer from the development of infections in the intestines. The most common cause is poor nutrition. For adults, this is alcohol abuse, eating stale salads and snacks. For children - eating with dirty hands, as well as eating expired products.

Treatment must be carried out under the supervision of medical personnel. If you have a high temperature, you should call an ambulance. As a rule, symptoms are accompanied not only by pain in the epigastric region, but also by nausea, diarrhea, severe weakness, and loss of performance.

For treatment, antibacterial drugs are used, as well as drugs that normalize the intestinal microflora, expelling pathogenic microorganisms. Enterosgel and preparations containing activated carbon are also often used as therapy.

Why does my stomach hurt in the navel area?

If a child or an adult has a stomach ache in the navel area, this means that there are problems with the functions of the organs located in this area. So, in this area are projected:

• loops of the small intestine;
• part of the duodenum;
• transverse colon;
• upper parts of the kidneys and ureters;
• large oil seal;
• greater curvature of the stomach (if the stomach is prolapsed).

Most often, abdominal pain to the left of the navel at the top or abdominal pain to the right of the navel develops as a result of diseases of the small intestine. If the small intestine is not functioning properly, nutrient absorption is impaired, which can negatively impact your overall health. Therefore, you should not try to determine on your own what is to the right of the navel or what is to the left of the navel. If such pain occurs regularly, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is especially important to consult a doctor if you experience additional symptoms described below, as well as if your stomach hurts in this area during pregnancy , or if a lump has appeared there. Parents should not delay visiting a specialist if their child’s stomach hurts in the navel area and nausea lasts for several days.

Often the causes of pain in the navel area are associated with the following diseases:

• acute and chronic disruption of the blood flow of the mesenteric vessels that supply the jejunum;
• acute obstruction of the lumen of the jejunum ;
• umbilical hernia – pain manifests itself with pinching or stress;
• jeunitis (inflammatory process in the jejunum);
• spastic, infectious, non-spastic enterocolitis ;
• enzyme deficiency , in which parietal digestion in the jejunum is disrupted;
• irritable bowel syndrome , in which pathological changes in jejunal motility are noted;
• jejunal oncology.

If the navel hurts when pressed, we can talk about the development of a number of diseases. When pressing under the navel, pain occurs in the following diseases:

• enteritis;
• gastroenteritis;
• enterocolitis;
• appendicitis;
• abdominal migraine;
• volvulus;
• hernia;
• intestinal diverticulitis.

With each of these diseases, not only pain and discomfort in the abdomen develops, but also other symptoms. That is why it is very important to carefully monitor all changes in the body’s condition and be sure to tell your doctor about all the symptoms that appear.

Pain around the navel due to obstruction of the jejunum

It is important to know what this means - jejunal obstruction . This is a very serious condition that can cause death if not treated promptly.

The intestinal lumen can be blocked by a mechanical obstacle ( roundworm , gallstone, tumor ), as well as as a result of compression from the outside due to adhesions or volvulus. In children and young people, this condition with pain near the navel and slightly above sometimes occurs due to intussusception , that is, the introduction of a loop of intestine into another, neighboring intestine.

With this condition, a person has abdominal pain above the navel or in the peri-umbilical area. Gradually, the pain increases, there is pulsation and a decrease in the interval between when cramping pain appears.

In this condition, not only does the stomach above the navel hurt severely, but nausea and vomiting also develop, after which the condition only improves for a short time. Gradually, the vomit changes to the contents of the intestines, there is no stool, and gases do not pass away. After some time, the pain and burning sensation go away, but the patient’s condition becomes significantly worse. Blood pressure drops sharply tachycardia are noted .

Such symptoms are very life-threatening, and if help is not provided in a timely manner, death is possible. Therefore, if the causes of pain above the navel are associated with obstruction, it is important to understand that this condition is very serious.

Pain near the navel in acute disorders of mesenteric circulation

Sometimes this pathology occurs due to blockage of the mesenteric vessels by particles of blood clots from the bloodstream. This phenomenon is likely if a person suffers from cardiovascular diseases. Insufficient blood supply is also possible with:

• compression of the arteries from the outside due to the development of tumors;
• blockage of mesenteric arteries by blood clots .

In this condition, severe cramping pain develops in the abdomen, in the center near the navel. It becomes a little easier for a person when he takes the knee-elbow position. Cramping cutting pain in the abdomen is very difficult to relieve even with the use of morphine . The patient develops cold and sticky sweat, tachycardia , blood pressure rises, and a feeling of horror appears.

Due to the intestinal reaction to ischemia, loose stools and vomiting appear. 6-12 hours after such symptoms begin to develop, the pain subsides, as the nerve receptors of the intestine die. Blood is detected in the vomit, as well as in the stool. Instead of feces, discharge similar to raspberry jelly may appear. peritonitis develops , which is accompanied by acute spasmodic pain in the entire abdomen, stool retention and gas, and a general deterioration of the condition. With this pathology, urgent hospitalization and surgical intervention are necessary.

Pain near the navel with chronic disorders of mesenteric circulation

If a person progresses nonspecific aortoarteritis and atherosclerosis , then chronic intestinal ischemia . In this condition, pain manifests itself in a special way: from the area near the navel it spreads to the iliac fossa on the right and to the epigastric region. The pain is cramping and begins about half an hour after the person has eaten. After using nitroglycerin, the pain goes away. While the disease progresses, the person loses weight, his intestines function poorly - alternating constipation and diarrhea , bloating, rumbling. Since this disease progresses gradually and the condition worsens, it is very important to undergo diagnosis and subsequent treatment prescribed by a specialist.

Colitis in men as a cause of pain in the area below the navel

Nonspecific ulcerative colitis is another common cause of pain in the lower abdomen. It is diagnosed more often in men than in women. The clinical picture of the disease is characterized by the presence of sharp, paroxysmal pain and abnormal bowel movements. In some cases, there may be bloody discharge during bowel movements, mucus or ichor.

The reasons for the development of colitis are the presence of non-healing ulcers on the intestinal mucosa. In order to minimize the manifestations of the disease, you should go to the hospital and undergo a full examination. It often happens that at the same time, various types of parasitic infestations or neoplasms are discovered in a person.

Features of premenstrual pain in women

If a woman’s stomach hurts below the navel and menstruation is due soon, then most likely we are talking about premenstrual syndrome.

Characteristic symptoms of this condition:

• psycho-emotional stress: irritability, fatigue, nervousness, weakness;
• nagging pain in the lower abdomen;
• the discharge stops completely.

Some women experience pain in the lower belly button every month. This course of premenstrual syndrome is quite normal, especially for nulliparous women. But if the pain is too severe, you should contact your treating gynecologist and get examined.

Pain in women

If a woman experiences pain below the navel, the first thing she needs to do is visit her local gynecologist. He can determine what causes the discomfort: organic factors or functional disorders in the functioning of the organs of the female reproductive system.

Depending on the factors causing pain, it may indicate:

• diseases of the ovaries (for example, the formation of cysts);

• endometritis;
• uterine fibroids;

• improper installation of the spiral for protection;
• scars after surgery;
• cystitis, pyelonephritis and other inflammatory processes occurring in the intestines, kidneys or bladder;

• ovulatory syndrome that occurs when the follicle ruptures;
• algodismenorrhea, which manifests itself with an incorrectly developed or positioned uterus.

Pregnant women should pay special attention to their well-being and, at the first sign of pain in the lower abdomen, contact an obstetrician-gynecologist, because this may indicate pregnancy pathologies or the threat of miscarriage.

Such pain may indicate the presence of gastritis, volvulus, dysbacteriosis, colitis or increased acidity of gastric juice. Treatment for all of these ailments is very specific and should be prescribed by a doctor. Before proceeding to therapy, he conducts a complete diagnosis to ensure that the diagnosis is correct. Self-treatment can lead to the symptoms being blurred and it will be difficult for doctors to establish the true cause of the pain.

Treatment methods for premenstrual pain in women

If no pathologies are found, but the woman has pain in her stomach below the navel, the gynecologist will prescribe antispasmodic drugs. Usually their use is quite enough to minimize symptoms. This:

1. "Drotaverine" is a cheap analogue of "No-shpa". The main active ingredient is drotaverine. After taking the pill, the pain goes away completely after 20-30 minutes. For many women, this drug has become indispensable. If it is not available at the pharmacy for some reason, many people purchase No-shpu.
2. “Spazmol” is another popular antispasmodic that effectively combats premenstrual pain. Available in the form of tablets and solution for injection. Often one tablet per day is enough to effectively relieve pain.
3. "Papaverine" is an antispasmodic that is widely used in gynecology. Effective for cramping pain in the lower abdomen. It is available in the form of tablets, but more often it is used in the hospital in the form of injections.

Causes of pain

Doctors state that usually the pain that patients complain about is in the lower abdomen. The most common cause is inflammatory processes in the small intestine. The normal functioning of the latter is disrupted, the process of malabsorption begins, leading to poor health.

Anyone who experiences constant or intermittent pain in the area below the navel should immediately consult a doctor. There are many reasons that can cause illness, and some of them pose a threat to health. These include:

strangulated umbilical hernia;

Jeunitis is a disease related to the nature of inflammatory processes. Develops in the small intestine

Each of the pathologies described above has its own symptomatic picture, which is characteristic specifically for it.

Obstruction

The most severe condition described is jejunal obstruction. If help is not provided to a person with this disease in time, he may die. Blockage occurs due to tumors, adhesions that compress the intestines, the presence of parasites, and also due to stones. If we are talking about small children, then in them this condition is associated with intussusception, when a loop of intestine penetrates the intestine located next to it.

A distinctive feature of the pathology is the nature of the pain. They have a cramping, increasing character and are localized in the front and middle of the abdominal region. They are often accompanied by uncontrollable vomiting, during which the entire contents of the intestine are expelled, but relief does not occur. In this case, the patient complains of gas discharge and problems with bowel movements.

If a diagnosis of “intestinal obstruction” is made, symptoms manifest themselves in the form of severe pain, delayed excretion of feces and gases, vomiting

If medical assistance is not provided, the symptoms gradually disappear, and the patient’s general condition begins to deteriorate. His blood pressure drops and his heart rhythm is disturbed, as a result of which tachycardia is diagnosed. The next stage is death.

Chronic type jejunitis

Less dangerous is the exacerbation of jejunitis, which has become chronic. This inflammation is characterized by:

• spasmodic pain due to spasms of the intestinal walls;
• increased gas separation;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes that are located in the mesentery area, due to this pain is felt upon palpation of the left hypochondrium and even the groin area;
• loose stools, especially after meals.

Jeunitis is characterized by spasmodic pain

Irritable bowel

Pathologies associated with functional disorders include irritable bowel syndrome. Its signs are:

• regular constipation and diarrhea, as a result of disturbances in intestinal motility;
• severe flatulence;
• cramping pain under the navel.

The peak manifestation of these symptoms occurs in the first part of the day. Difficulties with bowel movements become especially frequent after breakfast and are preceded by a cutting pain. After visiting the toilet, temporary relief may occur. During the day, the patient experiences belching and heartburn, while the pain in the abdomen dulls but does not disappear. As night approaches, a person feels heaviness.

Why does a child have a stomach ache below the navel?

Only a doctor who can compare the entire complex of symptoms can determine the exact cause. List of the most common reasons why a child’s stomach hurts below the navel:

• intestinal infections, poisoning, diarrhea;
• appendicitis;
• inflammatory processes of the urinary system;
• umbilical hernia;
• intestinal colic;
• cholecystitis;
• helminthic infestations.

It is important to note during the consultation what the nature of the stool is, whether there is a fever, whether the child is vomiting, whether there is blood or mucus in the stool or urine. Based on the totality of symptoms, a general clinical picture can be drawn up, but this usually also requires additional tests.

Possible causes of pain in a child

Abdominal pain near the navel or below is not uncommon for a child. There are quite a few causes of the pathological condition, ranging from ordinary constipation to severe gastrointestinal lesions.

Possible causes of abdominal pain below the umbilical zone in a child may be:

• Foodborne toxic infections or poisoning. The disease begins with the development of soreness around the umbilical region. Then the pain spreads over the entire surface of the abdomen. Additional symptoms also develop - nausea, ending with vomiting, diarrhea, increase in general body temperature (sometimes to significant levels).
• Intestinal infection. The development of pathology is caused by dirty hands, insufficiently washed vegetables and fruits, consumption of unboiled and untreated water, as well as by airborne droplets. At the very beginning, the intestinal infection resembles food poisoning in its course - the child complains of soreness in the umbilical area. But unlike poisoning, his body temperature rises very high, he experiences uncontrollable vomiting and severe diarrhea. Abdominal pain occurs constantly, which practically does not subside. Pathological symptoms can persist for up to 10 days.
• Appendicitis. Inflammation of the cecum in childhood begins with vomiting and difficulty defecating. A little later, the child begins to complain of abdominal pain appearing below the navel.
• Worm infestation. If pain develops in the navel area, the presence of a helminthic infection cannot be ruled out. The child may be infected with roundworms, lamblia, etc.
• Gastritis. The cause of pain may be exacerbation of gastritis. Inflammation of the gastric mucosa has an acute onset, but is not accompanied by severe pain. Accompanying signs of gastritis include pain in the stomach, nausea, belching and heartburn.
• Cholecystitis. Acute inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) can also cause abdominal pain. Symptoms of the disease include increased gas production, bloating, increased body temperature and a darker color of urine.
• Incarcerated umbilical hernia and intestinal colic. In both cases, the child experiences severe pain.

Abdominal pain in a child requires the closest attention

What can you do if you develop abdominal pain below the navel? As a rule, doctors recommend calling the duty team. Taking any pain-relieving medications is prohibited, as this may blur the current symptoms and complicate the diagnosis.