Belly button pain can be sharp or mild, and it can be constant or perhaps simply come and go. You may feel pain only near your belly button, or pain that radiates to other parts of the body. Belly button pain isn’t a condition on its own, but it can point to the correct condition when you take other symptoms into account. Sometimes the pain can be treated quickly, and sometimes it may require medications or even surgery. The type of pain you feel can help your doctor figure out the cause. Some people experience sharp belly button pain, while others may feel bloating or pulling. If you see a doctor, make sure to pay attention to the specific type of pain and any accompanying symptoms.
Causes
Wondering what's behind your belly button pain? Here are some of the most frequent potential causes and how to deal with each.
1. Crohn’s disease
An inflammatory bowel disease that usually affects the small intestine or colon, Crohn’s disease can cause pain behind the belly button that feels like anything from a dull ache to a sharp, cramping pain that typically occurs 20 to 30 minutes after eating. But when you make a Crohn’s diagnosis, it’s never made based solely on presence of abdominal pain. You need other symptoms as well. Those can include severe diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. The cause of Crohn’s disease is still unknown, but a malfunctioning immune system and a family history play a significant role. Over 1 million people in the U.S. have Crohn’s disease. The most common age is 18 to 24, but you can get it at any age.
2. Surgery
In case you have recently undergone any kind of operation, you can feel painful sensations in your belly button. Such malaise can appear with other symptoms. Nonetheless, it is important to visit a doctor if your pain doesn’t go away since it can be also connected with other health problems which are not necessarily the result of a recent surgery.
3. Chronic gastritis
Chronic gastritis is a long-term inflammation of your stomach. If it doesn't go away on its own, this can become an ulcer. Causes include taking a medication that affects the stomach, an infection by a bug called, "H. Pylori", or your immune system reacting to yourself. With appropriate treatment, prognosis is very good.
4. Ulcer
Another popular yet unpleasant culprit of a belly button pain is ulcer. Ulcer is a bleeding wound which can be a result of various processes taking place in a person’s body.
How’s belly button pain treated?
The treatment for your belly button pain will depend on its cause. Some causes are relatively normal and pass on their own, and others require treatment from a doctor. In some cases, you’ll need emergency care.
1. To treat a hernia
Your doctor will treat a hernia with either open hernia repair or laparoscopic repair. Nonsurgical treatments aren’t recommended, as the condition can significantly worsen.
2. To treat Crohn’s disease
This disease requires lifelong treatment, which may include medications, surgery, stress management, nutritional counseling, and dietary supplements.
3. To treat indigestion
It’s important to determine the cause of your indigestion in order to find the right treatment. You may discover that you’re lactose intolerant, have celiac disease, or have trouble digesting some types of foods. Make sure to work with your doctor in order to determine your cause of indigestion for the best treatment approach.
Determining the cause of your belly button pain can help you find the appropriate treatment. Pain may start at your belly button, and then move to another area of your stomach. Make sure to keep track of all your symptoms to help your doctor find the cause and treat it quickly. Depending on the cause, your treatment may get rid of the pain entirely, or you may have to incorporate certain lifestyle changes.
