What causes pain around the navel?

Periumbilical pain is a common clinical symptom, most frequently associated with dietary habits and lifestyle factors—such as consumption of raw, cold, hard-to-digest, or spicy/irritating foods, or abdominal exposure to cold.

What Causes Periumbilical Pain?

1. Abdominal Exposure to Cold

Exposure of the abdomen to cold is the most common cause of periumbilical pain. Cold exposure accelerates gastrointestinal motility and may trigger intestinal spasm. If abdominal pain results from cold exposure, symptoms can be alleviated by consuming warm foods and beverages—such as hot water, congee, soup, or warm milk. Applying a hot water bottle to the abdomen may also help relieve discomfort to some extent.

2. Acute Gastroenteritis

Acute gastroenteritis is another frequent cause of periumbilical pain, typically triggered by unhygienic food intake or improper diet. Intestinal inflammation irritates the gut, leading to abdominal pain. For pain caused by acute gastroenteritis, it is advisable to adjust dietary patterns—maintaining regular, light, and easily digestible meals while avoiding spicy, irritating, or greasy foods.

3. Appendicitis

Early-stage appendicitis may also present with periumbilical pain, typically characterized by intermittent or colicky pain that intensifies over time—especially upon palpation. As appendicitis progresses, the pain often migrates from the periumbilical region to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. In such cases, prompt medical evaluation and treatment at a hospital are essential to avoid complications.

In summary, periumbilical pain may result from abdominal exposure to cold, acute gastroenteritis, or appendicitis. We hope this information is helpful to you.