What causes pain around the navel?
Sep 22, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Periumbilical pain may be caused by factors such as abdominal chilling, strenuous exercise, appendicitis, acute gastroenteritis, or intestinal obstruction. In daily life, one should pay attention to keeping the abdomen warm, reasonably plan exercise intensity, maintain dietary hygiene, and avoid overeating to prevent discomfort symptoms such as periumbilical pain.
Generally, pain around the navel may be caused by factors such as a cold abdomen, strenuous exercise, appendicitis, acute gastroenteritis, or intestinal obstruction. Treatment can be carried out under a doctor's guidance through general measures and medication. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Cold abdomen
When the abdomen becomes chilled, abdominal muscles and blood vessels may contract, slowing blood circulation and affecting normal intestinal peristalsis, thereby causing pain around the navel. It is important to keep warm in daily life, especially the abdominal area. Applying a hot water bottle for heat therapy can help relieve pain.
2. Strenuous exercise
During intense physical activity, abdominal muscles may become overstretched or fatigued, leading to pain, particularly in the area around the navel. Adequate rest should be taken regularly, and excessive exercise should be avoided.
3. Appendicitis
Appendicitis is usually caused by fecal stones, lymphoid tissue hyperplasia, or bacterial infection. When the appendix becomes inflamed, the inflammation can irritate the peritoneum, causing pain around the navel or upper abdomen, which later shifts gradually to the lower right abdomen, resulting in the aforementioned symptoms. This may be accompanied by fever, nausea, and other symptoms. Treatment typically involves an appendectomy performed under medical guidance, primarily involving surgical removal of the diseased tissue.
4. Acute gastroenteritis
Acute gastroenteritis may be triggered by bacteria, food, medications, or other irritants. Inflammatory stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract can lead to spasms of the intestinal smooth muscle, causing pain around the navel. Symptoms may include abdominal pain and vomiting. Patients should follow medical advice and use medications such as metronidazole tablets, ibuprofen sustained-release tablets, and enteritis-relief capsules for treatment.
5. Intestinal obstruction
Intestinal obstruction may result from tumors, adhesions, or inflammation. Obstruction prevents the normal passage of intestinal contents, causing strong contractions of the intestinal smooth muscle in an attempt to overcome the blockage, thus leading to pain around the navel. Symptoms may also include vomiting and abdominal distension. Treatment under medical guidance may involve medications such as enema (e.g., Kaisailu), glucose injection, and potassium chloride injection.
In daily life, attention should be paid to keeping the abdomen warm, exercising at appropriate intensity, maintaining dietary hygiene, and avoiding overeating to prevent discomfort such as pain around the navel.
