Why do people with cirrhosis experience pain around the navel?
Disease description:
I have a relative who has developed cirrhosis. When I visited him today, he mentioned experiencing some pain around his navel and is worried whether his condition has worsened. Could you please explain what might cause navel pain in someone with cirrhosis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Pain around the navel in patients with cirrhosis may be caused by multiple factors:
1. Gastroenteritis: Patients with cirrhosis experience decreased immunity, making gastrointestinal mucosa prone to congestion and edema, and bacterial translocation more likely, which can lead to gastroenteritis and subsequent periumbilical pain.
2. Digestive insufficiency: Portal hypertension caused by cirrhosis may lead to digestive dysfunction, which can sometimes result in pain around the navel.
3. Ascites: A common complication in advanced cirrhosis, ascites may compress internal organs and nerves, causing pain in the periumbilical area.
4. Gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer: Liver disease may increase the risk of rupture of gastric varices, leading to bleeding and resulting in pain around the navel.
