What causes pain on the left side of the navel that wakes me up at night, and what should I do?
Jun 05, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Waking up at night with pain on the left side of the navel may be caused by abdominal chilling, improper diet, colitis, gastritis, ureteral stones, or other reasons. Patients can improve symptoms through general treatment, medication, surgical intervention, etc. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under the guidance of a professional physician. During episodes of colitis, pain may radiate to the area around the navel, causing discomfort.
Pain waking you up at night on the left side of the navel may be caused by abdominal cooling, improper diet, colitis, gastritis, or ureteral stones. Patients can improve symptoms through general treatments, medications, or surgical interventions. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under the guidance of a professional physician.
1. Abdominal Cooling
If the abdomen—especially the area around the navel—is not adequately covered during sleep, exposure to cold may trigger spasms of the intestinal smooth muscles, leading to pain. This type of pain is usually intermittent. It is advisable to keep the abdomen warm at night by using appropriately thick bedding according to room temperature and ensuring the abdomen remains covered during sleep to prevent chilling.
2. Improper Diet
Eating too much or too quickly at dinner, or consuming spicy, greasy, raw, or cold foods that are difficult to digest, can increase gastrointestinal burden. The digestive system may continue working hard at night, causing discomfort and pain. It is recommended to control portion sizes at dinner and avoid overeating. Opt for light, easily digestible foods such as rice porridge or noodles in the evening.
3. Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is often triggered by an abnormal immune response to bacteria or protozoa, resulting in symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. During flare-ups, the pain may radiate to the navel area, causing discomfort. Patients may take medications such as olsalazine sodium capsules, mesalazine enteric-coated tablets, or sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets as directed by a physician to alleviate symptoms.
4. Gastritis
Gastritis is one of the common disorders of the digestive system. Consuming excessive amounts of irritating foods or overeating before bedtime may trigger gastritis. Since the stomach is located on the left side of the upper abdomen, inflammation can cause pain around the navel. Patients may follow medical advice to take medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated tablets, amoxicillin capsules, or domperidone tablets to relieve symptoms.
5. Ureteral Stones
Ureteral stones typically form in the kidney and then move into the ureter, where they become lodged in narrow sections. This condition commonly presents with ureteral pain, severe flank or upper abdominal pain, and pain on the left side of the navel. Treatment options include extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopic stone removal surgery, as prescribed by a doctor.
In daily life, it is recommended to maintain a light diet and avoid spicy or irritating foods such as garlic, spicy hot pot, and mustard. Adequate rest is important, and excessive fatigue should be avoided to protect overall health.
