Navel Pain

Navel, also referred to as belly button or umbilicus can be noticed exactly at the center of the stomach. As we all know, the umbilical cord does the job of supplying essential nutrients to the unborn baby during pregnancy. This flexible tube is connected to the stomach that feeds the baby, with the food that is ingested by the mother. At the time of birth, this umbilical cord is cut.

Wearing ill-fitting clothes is the most common cause of navel pain. It is observed that people wearing tight pants, often complain about belly button pain. This is because the tight pants literally put excessive pressure on the navel, which can later bring a lot of discomfort. Other causes are given below:

It is a painful condition involving the appendix. As we all know, the appendix is an extension of the large intestine (colon). Resembling a small closed tube, the appendix remains attached to the colon and bulges outwards.

This protruding part of colon that look like a small pouch, may get swollen, due to an infection. This condition that causes inflammation and enlargement of the appendix, is referred as appendicitis.

People with appendicitis, usually feel pain in the navel, that travels down to the right abdomen. Initially, the belly button may vary from mild to moderate, but over time the discomfort becomes quite unbearable and needs urgent medical treatment. Other symptoms associated with appendicitis include vomiting, nausea and loss of appetite.

Persistent sharp pain around the navel can also indicate that the person is suffering from umbilical hernia. Hernia is a condition in which a part of an organ protrudes, causing damage to the associated muscle tissues.

However, when this condition occurs near the navel, it is referred as umbilical hernia. The navel of people with umbilical hernia, bulges outwards and causes mild pain, while coughing and excessive crying. In this condition, the muscles around the navel, are too weak to hold the inner abdominal tissue (intestine).

As a result, even a small cough exerts force on the intestinal tissues, capable enough to rupture the outer muscles near the navel, causing protrusion. Those diagnosed with umbilical hernia, do experience navel pain while lying on the stomach.

Navel pain during pregnancy is common and not a cause of worry. As the pregnancy progresses, the uterus (womb) starts getting large, which in turn increases strain on the navel. This in turn produces radiating pain from the belly. The pain may aggravate in the third trimester of pregnancy, until birth.

It is reported that one and half months pregnancy can also cause mild navel pain, once in a while Generally, women who are 6 months pregnant start experiencing belly button pain that worsens gradually. Pregnancy causes expansion of the abdomen, thus changing the shape of the navel and is accompanied by pain.

Persistent belly button pain that aggravates over time, cannot be overlooked and necessary medical treatment must be taken on time. Keep in mind that unless the navel pain subsides, lifting heaving objects, like even a bucketful of water is not advised, as it puts undue strain on the navel.