What do you usually do when you have a stomach ache? Probably pop a pill or lie down for some time. Sometimes, the pain subsides, and you move on with your day. But what if you notice a sharp or dull pain around your belly button, especially when you press it?
That strange discomfort could be a sign of something mild or something more serious. If you are curious about what could be causing this pain and don’t want to suffer in silence, let’s find out the possible reasons by Dr Amita Jain the leading general surgeon and laparoscopic surgeon for abdomen surgeries in India.
What is a belly button?
Your belly button, also known as the navel, is a small scar marking the spot where your umbilical cord once connected you to your mother. Before birth, this cord served as your life support system, delivering oxygen and nutrients. Once cut after birth, it leaves behind the unique indentation or bump you see on your abdomen—a tiny reminder of your first connection to life.
What are the reasons for the pain in the belly button?
Dr Amita Jain hares some reasons that cause pain in the belly button. These could be due to:
1. Indigestion – The pain could be due to as simple as indigestion, also known as dyspepsia. This common issue often stems from eating spicy, fatty, or greasy foods, eating too fast, drinking excessive alcohol, caffeine, or carbonated drinks, stress, smoking, or certain medications like NSAIDs. It causes pain or burning between the breastbone and belly button. Over-the-counter antacids and acid blockers usually help ease the discomfort.
2. Constipation – Another common cause of belly button pain is constipation, which affects many people and often leads them to seek medical help. If you have fewer than three bowel movements a week and pass hard, dry stools, you may be constipated. This can cause sharp pain around the belly button, bloating, and discomfort. It happens due to gas buildup or accumulated waste pressing on nerves, and it’s especially common during pregnancy.
3. Umbilical Hernia – Sometimes, when a part of your small intestine, along with fat or fluid, pushes through a weakness in your abdominal wall near the belly button, it causes an umbilical hernia. This can lead to a soft bulge that’s visible or palpable, especially when pressure is applied to the abdomen. The hernia often causes discomfort or sharp pain, especially when coughing, sneezing, exercising, or stretching, and may feel like a pulling sensation.
4. Appendicitis – Yet another warning sign of appendicitis is periumbilical pain, which starts around the navel and gradually moves to the lower right side of the abdomen. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed, causing sharp pain that worsens over time. The discomfort intensifies with movement, coughing, or pressing the area. Initially mild, the pain quickly escalates, making it essential to seek medical attention without delay.
5. Various Infections – Many a time, belly button infections occur due to bacteria or fungi infecting the skin, often caused by poor hygiene, an infected piercing, or excessive moisture in deep “innie” belly buttons. Obesity can increase the risk as fat folds trap sweat and bacteria. Infections may cause pain, itching, discharge, or odour. Contaminated food or contact with infected individuals can introduce harmful bacteria, leading to stomach sores and even increasing the risk of stomach cancer.
6. Gallstones – Your gallbladder can become inflamed due to the buildup of gallstones, which are calcium crystals that block its ducts. This condition, known as cholecystitis, often leads to sharp, stabbing pain in the upper right abdomen, sometimes radiating to the belly button or back. The pain typically worsens after eating and can last from minutes to hours. Other symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, making the discomfort even more unbearable.
7. Pancreatitis
We all know what a pancreas does—it ensures the body has enough sugar for energy. When it malfunctions, the first symptom is often belly button pain. Pancreatic issues include acute or chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Pancreatitis, a serious inflammation, causes periumbilical pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Acute cases come suddenly, while chronic ones cause persistent discomfort and absorption issues. Seek medical help immediately if symptoms appear.
Next time when you have belly button pain, don’t ignore it. It could be due to simple issues like indigestion or constipation, but it might also signal serious conditions like appendicitis, infections, or pancreatitis. Early diagnosis can prevent complications and ensure better health.
Dr Amita Jain is one of India’s most distinguished and experienced female surgeons, known for her unmatched expertise in general and laparoscopic surgery. With over 29 years of surgical excellence, Dr Amita Jain has built a reputation for precision, compassionate care, and advanced surgical techniques.
Dr Amita Jain has successfully performed a wide range of complex general surgeries, including both open and minimally invasive procedures, with a strong focus on trauma care, onco-surgical techniques, and reconstructive surgeries. Her areas of specialisation include (including Gallbladder stone removal, appendix removal, hernia repair surgery, piles and fissure surgeries). She was the Professor of Surgery at the Army College of Medical Sciences and Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt. In 1994, she was commissioned asa Surgeon under the United Nations Mission in Congo. From 2020 to 2022, she worked with Bansals Hospital. Currently, Dr Amita Jain is the Senior General and Laparoscopic Surgeon at Rainbow Children Hospitals (Malviya Nagar, Delhi), Artemis Lite: Multi-Speciality Care Hospital (New Friends Colony, New Delhi) and at Rosewalk – Luxury Maternity Hospital in Delhi (Panchsheel Park, Delhi)
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