Navel Pain - What is it?

[maylee]

Hi, I have a been experiencing pain in my navel for about two weeks now.  It's happened once in the past (3 months ago?), but I thought it was caused by wearing jeans that were too tight (the button pressing into my abdomen in the belly button area).  The pain went away and I didn't think twice about it afterwards.

The pain returned about two weeks ago.  It's not intense, but more like an uncomfortable "pressure."  It occurs if I bend over, lean forward, or stretch.  It also occurs while lying in bed, if I turn over to lay on either side.  If my waistband touches my navel, or if I brush against it by accident, it hurts.

There is no discharge or bad smell coming from my abdomen.  I'm pretty sure it's not appendicitis (since I've had this for weeks now with no severe complications).  However, when I try to look inside my navel (I have an innie), it appears to be swollen in the lower part of the navel.  I pressed on it yesterday and it was firm (not rock hard) and caused discomfort.

Does anyone have any idea of what this may be?  I was going to go to my doctor last week, but it felt like it was going away so I cancelled the appointment.  Now it's back and seems like it's getting worse.  Any help will be appreciated - thanks!

[oceans3]

could it be infected? that can happen. maybe gently clean w. a cotton ball/q-tip and alcohol? what about a pimple, ingrown hair in there? can that happen? i would imagine it hurts since its such a sensitive area. make another appointment.

[troid]

sounds alot like an umbilical hernia. press your hand firmly on your belly button and bear down like your having a bowel movement, sometimes you will be able to feel it "pop" against your hand. i have had 4 in the past 2 years and let me tell ya they are no fun.

[maylee]

I went to my OBGYN yesterday and she said it's not an umbilical hernia (which I was afraid of).  She said an umbilical hernia would be pretty obvious.  She referred me to 3 other IM physicians; the only reason I went to my OBGYN was because the first general practitioner I called told me to go see my OBGYN - go figure.

So I'm hoping that it's just a pimple or even an infection that I can cure w/antibiotics - it's better than some of the other stuff I've been reading.  I think I'll clean it everyday, give it 'til Monday and if it's still not gone, I'll go to the doc again.

Meanwhile, if there are any other theories out there, please feel free to share them w/me.  Thanks!

[wolverine1992]

I am having the exact same pain you are describing.  It is not painful enough to run to the ER, but I made an appointment for Thursday.  It is very strange.  It hurts the most when I push in the innie and right above it.  My stomach also feels a bit bloated and I feel a little sick to my stomach, not bad, just uncomfortable.  I also thought of a hernia???  I guess I'll find out more when I go to the doc.

[eibbed]

Did you get any answers - I'm in the same situation - have been to the reg doc and OB.

[eibbed]

I just saw a new doctor yesterday.  He said it's a type of umbilical hernia.  It does not protrude - in this case it's a small hole.  It is changing the shape of the skin around my navel.
I see a surgeon next week.

[cyrus21]

you're not alone! I'm feeling the same symptoms and keep reading everywhere that it sounds like an umbilical hernia. I'm a little nervous because I hear the surgery is not fun and leaves a scar. Has anyone had it done? If so, what's it like? How long does it take? Can you go back to normal living soon after? Painful? and does it leave a scar?

Thanks!

[lynettemareska]

I recently found out that I have a hernia in my belly button.  I have major chest pain, and feel like something is blocking my airway in my esophogus.  Saw the doctor and she said I probably have acid reflux, and to take some otc drug for it and to come back in two wks.  She never even acknowledge the hernia.  When I asked what about the hernia, and can it be related she said no....I then told her that I think I should have the hernia fixed, and she was hesittant to give me a referral for it.  She said she will check with my
insurance and then mail me the referral for a general surgeons office to see my hernia.
Was I blown off?  Can the acid reflux symtoms be related to my hernia?

[lemango]

hey guys

ive been to two docters now and none can seem to get to the bottom of this navel pain of mine.  they've pretty much ruled out a navel hernia, and i've had an ultra sound done - which they saw nothing.

symptoms are a raw pain on the bottom right side of my navel and as i push my finger on it it hurts more.  it comes and goes probably a month with and two months without pain - been going on for almost 2 years now.  it doesnt ooze uncontrolably but it does build up a bit of brown stuff and it can smell badly if i dont clean it once a week.

the pain intensifies if i feel bloated, or if my bladder is full, or even when im hungry.  The weird part is as it intensifies i start to get this very anxious and depressed feeling.  

i had an operation a few years back for an ovarian cyst, it left me with a scar the length of my belly and a bit more - dont know if that has anything to do with the curent problem.

please someone put me out of my misery - can anyone help me?

[carmey]

I have had navel pain too, for the past couple of years off and on. I notice the pain more at night while i'm sleeping. It usually wakes me up. I'm going For a ultrasound this week they to think it's a hernia. Have you asked about scar tissue from your operation. can that be it?

[Lilyfly]

I have been having the same thing the last few days and it's really bothering me.  Mine is also the right side of my navel almost in the inside wall area.  I thought I felt a small lump the other day but then when I tried to find it I couldn't.  I also get that bloated stomach feeling but I'm not bloated at all and it's not "gas" as someone suggested, it's just the random pain when I sit down and bend at the stomach, or turn like someone else mentioned.  I was getting very anxious that it might be a stomach aneursym b/c I had read that somewhere but I don't have insurance and am afraid to have to go to the ER and pay and arm an a leg later.  I'm going to make an appointment with my primary if it's still bothering me on mon b/c it really is freaking me out! It sucks that it hurts to move normally.  Not to offend, but are any of you over weight? I am and I noticed a pain around my navel before but just thought it was from gaining a lot of weight and with everything stretching and whatnot... I also considered it might be that condition where your fatcells harder, I forget the term.  At least I feel better knowing I'm not alone in this affliction... I'll come back and let everyone know what my doc says (god willing it's nothing serious and can wait a few more days!)

[satya415]

hello,
i want to reason about pain in navel of sister.most of time she suffered from hernia of navel. last year she had gone under surgery of intistine.after that she has suffered pointed pain in navel which is unbearable.can u help me to know exact reason of this type of suffering.
my email address: satyendra_dewagan***@****, ***@****

[meenat]

hello,

i have navel pain too, but my gp always said it was nothing. i am having it at the moment and its the same symptoms to what have being mentioned. what do you think i can do?

[Candygirl_888]

I've been feeling pains in my navel too. It started years ago but it was on and off. It came back last week but a little more intense than usual. Then it went away. It hurts more when i touch it, bend over and even when i get hungry.

It got so bad one night that i was awaken from my sleep but i couldn't move. i had to stay curled up like a ball so i wouldn't hurt. I couldn't even walk. My b/f had 2 carry me to the car n then he took me to the ER. The doc said it was a hernia..

I received 2 injections 4 the pain and I'm currently on some meds. The pain comes back every now n again but since i've been on the meds, it hasn't been too bad. I do surgery in 10 days..

I'll let u guys know how it goes..

[chimom]

I too am having the same symptoms as all the above and wondering how everyone came out...if it was a hernia and anyone had surgery?  Mine is so off and on right now that I haven't made an appointment yet to see the doctor.  Sometimes it seems to be related to having pain in my back as well (which I have often).  It is just weird that it's around the belly button and it's a sharp, short lived pain.  Let me know if you have anything to add.
Thanks.

[kelciek]

I also get a navel pain from time to time. It usually only last a day or two at a time and is sporadic throughout the day. It's a really sharp, intense shooting pain. Almost like someone is pulling your bellybutton in from your inside. Or like someone is stabbing you there. Sometimes it hurts so bad it takes my breath away. It most often occurs when I'm sleeping or just waking up. I go to roll over and out of nowhere it hurts. Or when I go to sit or bend over. Another weird thing that happens to me is that it hurts in my bellybutton when I pee. And it sometimes hurt like in my uterus too. Weird...I know. I've never been to the doctor for it because it always goes away but it really is annoying and I'd like to know what's going on. For peace of mind.

[complexsimplicity]

Hello.
I have been researching this navel thing for years. I have always had a strange connection inside of my navel. I have experienced all if not more of the symptoms I have read above. I have suffered from endometriosis since the age of 16.
These are the things I have discovered over my many years of research and self evaluation.

1. The navel appears to be connected to other points in the body. Almost like the reflexology points that can be found in the hands, earlobes and feet.
2. The navel is a source of healing for me now. If i have pain ANYWHERE in my body, there is a point in my navel that coresponds with the pain. Specifically related to digestive issues.
3. I also have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Certain foods and drinks irritate this condition more than others, and I always feel extra pressure inside the navel area.
4. I have found that by gently massaging the navel in a circular motion and breathing into the area...conscious focused breaths, will "release" or move any pain or discomfort you may be feeling.  
5. I have found that I can sense or feel my boyfriends pain through my navel. For example..he cut his finger and had severe throbbing pain. I felt the same throbbing sensation in my navel.  When he would gently insert his finger into my navel and feel around until he found the spot and it would releave the throbbing in his finger as well as the navel throbbing.

Its the weirdest thing ever and doctors seem to not have a clue on it. I am constantly searching online to see if anyone else has had a similar experience, and I have had no luck.

The navel can also be a pleasure pot as well. Circular massage motions can also relax my entire body and send vibrations to my clitoris area.
I will be overjoyed if any one else out there has this type of connection with the navel.
as for the sharp pain..it comes more when Its closer to my period or I ovulate..and if my stress level is higher. It can sometimes be so intense that I can only curl up in a ball or get into a hot tub of water. that helps immediately.

I figure the  navel is a healing point for me..and I continue to explore and look to gain further understanding of it.

[Chloebear]

I am having the same symptoms as the first post describes. It's a very severe, sharp pain that is constant and has been going on for the past week. It is interesting to see someone else mentioned having surgery for an ovarian cyst, since I had surgery for ovarian cancer about 15 years ago. I have a scar that runs from my pelvic bone up to my belly button. It stops about a 1/2 inch from my bb. I've never had this pain before, though I have always been incredibly sensitive in my bb. My stomach is also pretty bloated right now. I can't imagine it's a hernia since nothing is pushing out. My bb is very deep and when I look in there (the best I can since it hurts to bend over) it looks black, like there's a hole. Maybe my vision is just wrong. I hope so. This is really freaking me out!! I'm terrified to go to a doctor, because I know they will poke around in there and the thought of that makes me squeamish, from head to toe. I think they'll have to knock me out if they want to stick any thing in there!!! Could it be a hernia, if there is nothing pushing out and the bb is very deep? I thought hernias were when the inside comes out. That is definitely not happening here.
Please help!!!

[lemango]

Well its been almost a year since i posted my comment and still i'm no closer to knowing the pain behind my navel.  I had a hernia operation in July last year and i thought this was going to work because the pain went away, however two weeks later it was back again.  When the Dr spoke to me he said he found a small hole but was suprised that it could cause any pain.  Well Doc i guess that might not have been the cause of the pain.  
The pain unfortunatley has intensified and now theres a wierd growth inside my navel kinda like sores.  so i saw the Dr today and without much effort at all he determined i have some kind of infection, so hopefully thats the answer to my 3 years of pain - antibiotics.  Something tells me it's not going to do the trick but i'll keep you'll posted.  

[helobuff]

I too have been having navel pain. I went to the hospital because I couldnt breathe. Having an asthma attack I thought. Turns out I have bronchitis. While I was there the doctor asked me if I have been having navel pain. I said no. I have diverticulitis and I have pain from that as well as tube issues and pain from that.. scarring or something. Anyway, he gives me an Rx ( antibiotic and sends me home). Two days later I start having Navel Pain! Severe sharp navel pain that goes to pelvis and sometimes to the left side...so I was researching an found this site..I also found mayo clinic online and this is what I foung there regarding navel pain.. four possibilities it appears. So I am posting it for all of you here instead of everyone doing the research.. here you go, hope it helps!
As for me Im going to the hospital again and let them run some tests.. wish I could find the E.R. doctor again and find out what he thinks, he was great!

Signs and symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis can range from minor to severe and may come on suddenly or develop over time. Some people have few, if any, problems in the early stages of the disease, whereas others experience signs and symptoms that may include:

Anemia
Fatigue
Abdominal discomfort
Joint aches (arthralgias)
Itching (pruritus)
Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
An enlarged liver
Abnormal blood vessels on the skin (spider angiomas)
Nausea and vomiting
Liver scarring (cirrhosis)
Fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
Mental confusion
It's common for people with autoimmune hepatitis to have other autoimmune disorders, such as:

Hemolytic anemia, which occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them
Chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis)
Inflammation of the colon (ulcerative colitis)
Diabetes
Dry eyes and mouth (Sjogren's syndrome)
Celiac sprue, a condition that damages the small intestine and leads to an inability to absorb certain nutrients
----------------------------------------------
Endometriosis can be mild, moderate or severe, and without treatment, it tends to get worse over time. Some women with endometriosis have no signs and symptoms at all, and the disease is discovered only when bits of endometrial tissue (implants) are found outside the uterus during an unrelated operation, such as a tubal ligation. Other women may experience one or more of the following signs and symptoms:

Painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Pelvic pain and cramping may begin before and extend several days into your period and may include lower back and abdominal pain. Severity of pain isn't necessarily a reliable indicator of the extent of the condition. Some women with mild endometriosis have intense pain, while others with more severe scarring may have little pain or even no pain at all.
Pelvic pain at other times. You may experience pelvic pain during ovulation, a sharp pain deep in the pelvis during intercourse, or pain during bowel movements or urination.
Excessive bleeding. You may experience occasional heavy periods (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia).
Infertility. Endometriosis is first diagnosed in some women who are seeking treatment for infertility.
Endometriosis is sometimes mistaken for other conditions that can cause pelvic pain, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or ovarian cysts. It may be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that causes bouts of diarrhea, constipation and abdominal cramping. IBS can accompany endometriosis, which can complicate the diagnosis.

When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that may indicate endometriosis. The cause of chronic or severe pelvic pain may be difficult to pinpoint. But discovering the problem early may help you avoid unnecessary complications and pain.

-----------------------------------------------

unbilical hernia causes.. not too much info on symptoms

In adults, too much abdominal pressure can cause an umbilical hernia. Possible culprits include:

Obesity
Heavy lifting
Coughing
Multiple pregnancies
Fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites)
----------------------------
Appendicitis is a condition in which your appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus. Your appendix is a finger-shaped pouch that projects out from your colon on the lower right side of your abdomen. This small structure has no known essential purpose, but that doesn't mean it can't cause problems.

The main symptom of appendicitis is pain that typically begins around your navel and then shifts to your lower right abdomen. The pain of appendicitis usually increases over a period of six to 12 hours, and eventually may become very severe.

Anyone can develop appendicitis, but it most often strikes people between the ages of 10 and 30. The standard treatment for appendicitis is surgical removal of the appendix.

SYMTOMS OF APPENDISITIS

Early on, the most common symptom is an aching pain around your navel that often shifts later to your lower right abdomen.
As the inflammation spreads to nearby tissues, the pain may become sharper and more severe.
Eventually, the pain tends to settle in your lower right abdomen — near your appendix at what's known as McBurney point. This point is about halfway between your navel and the top of your right pelvic bone.

But the location of your pain may vary, depending on your age and the position of your appendix. Young children or pregnant women, especially, may have appendicitis pain in different places.

What makes pain worse
If you apply gentle pressure to the area that hurts, it will feel tender. As you release the pressure, especially if you do it suddenly, appendicitis pain often will feel worse (rebound tenderness). It will also tend to get worse if you cough, walk or make other jarring movements. This is particularly true if the inflamed appendix is touching the peritoneum — the silk-like membrane that lines the inner abdominal wall and enfolds the intestines. The pain may lessen somewhat if you lie on your side and pull your knees up toward your chest.

Symptoms other than pain
In addition to pain, you may have one or more of the following appendicitis symptoms:

Nausea and sometimes vomiting
Loss of appetite
A low-grade fever that starts after other symptoms appear
Constipation
An inability to pass gas
Diarrhea
Abdominal swelling
---------------------------------------------------

[helobuff]

I was researching because I have navel pain past few days and found this stuff on mayoclinic.com...

Hope it helps you too.

Signs and symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis can range from minor to severe and may come on suddenly or develop over time. Some people have few, if any, problems in the early stages of the disease, whereas others experience signs and symptoms that may include:

Anemia
Fatigue
Abdominal discomfort
Joint aches (arthralgias)
Itching (pruritus)
Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
An enlarged liver
Abnormal blood vessels on the skin (spider angiomas)
Nausea and vomiting
Liver scarring (cirrhosis)
Fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
Mental confusion
It's common for people with autoimmune hepatitis to have other autoimmune disorders, such as:

Hemolytic anemia, which occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them
Chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis)
Inflammation of the colon (ulcerative colitis)
Diabetes
Dry eyes and mouth (Sjogren's syndrome)
Celiac sprue, a condition that damages the small intestine and leads to an inability to absorb certain nutrients
----------------------------------------------
Endometriosis can be mild, moderate or severe, and without treatment, it tends to get worse over time. Some women with endometriosis have no signs and symptoms at all, and the disease is discovered only when bits of endometrial tissue (implants) are found outside the uterus during an unrelated operation, such as a tubal ligation. Other women may experience one or more of the following signs and symptoms:

Painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Pelvic pain and cramping may begin before and extend several days into your period and may include lower back and abdominal pain. Severity of pain isn't necessarily a reliable indicator of the extent of the condition. Some women with mild endometriosis have intense pain, while others with more severe scarring may have little pain or even no pain at all.
Pelvic pain at other times. You may experience pelvic pain during ovulation, a sharp pain deep in the pelvis during intercourse, or pain during bowel movements or urination.
Excessive bleeding. You may experience occasional heavy periods (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia).
Infertility. Endometriosis is first diagnosed in some women who are seeking treatment for infertility.
Endometriosis is sometimes mistaken for other conditions that can cause pelvic pain, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or ovarian cysts. It may be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that causes bouts of diarrhea, constipation and abdominal cramping. IBS can accompany endometriosis, which can complicate the diagnosis.

When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that may indicate endometriosis. The cause of chronic or severe pelvic pain may be difficult to pinpoint. But discovering the problem early may help you avoid unnecessary complications and pain.

-----------------------------------------------

unbilical hernia causes.. not too much info on symptoms

In adults, too much abdominal pressure can cause an umbilical hernia. Possible culprits include:

Obesity
Heavy lifting
Coughing
Multiple pregnancies
Fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites)
----------------------------
Appendicitis is a condition in which your appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus. Your appendix is a finger-shaped pouch that projects out from your colon on the lower right side of your abdomen. This small structure has no known essential purpose, but that doesn't mean it can't cause problems.

The main symptom of appendicitis is pain that typically begins around your navel and then shifts to your lower right abdomen. The pain of appendicitis usually increases over a period of six to 12 hours, and eventually may become very severe.

Anyone can develop appendicitis, but it most often strikes people between the ages of 10 and 30. The standard treatment for appendicitis is surgical removal of the appendix.

SYMTOMS OF APPENDISITIS

Early on, the most common symptom is an aching pain around your navel that often shifts later to your lower right abdomen.
As the inflammation spreads to nearby tissues, the pain may become sharper and more severe.
Eventually, the pain tends to settle in your lower right abdomen — near your appendix at what's known as McBurney point. This point is about halfway between your navel and the top of your right pelvic bone.

But the location of your pain may vary, depending on your age and the position of your appendix. Young children or pregnant women, especially, may have appendicitis pain in different places.

What makes pain worse
If you apply gentle pressure to the area that hurts, it will feel tender. As you release the pressure, especially if you do it suddenly, appendicitis pain often will feel worse (rebound tenderness). It will also tend to get worse if you cough, walk or make other jarring movements. This is particularly true if the inflamed appendix is touching the peritoneum — the silk-like membrane that lines the inner abdominal wall and enfolds the intestines. The pain may lessen somewhat if you lie on your side and pull your knees up toward your chest.

Symptoms other than pain
In addition to pain, you may have one or more of the following appendicitis symptoms:

Nausea and sometimes vomiting
Loss of appetite
A low-grade fever that starts after other symptoms appear
Constipation
An inability to pass gas
Diarrhea
Abdominal swelling
---------------------------------------------------

[mimimoomoo]

I too have navel pain.  A book on the Meyr diet (a rather old edition from the 1980s) notes that pain behind the belly button is just an indication that the digestive system is not working properly.  This is particularly if the pain arises when you are hungry.  Candida can also be implicated.  Since half the planet has candida (most of them in Western nations) - the chances are high that candida is cause in many instances.  I mentioned it to my gastro-enterologist but he wasn't interested and had nothing to offer.  I'm doing colon cleanses. taking digestive enzymes and following an anti-candida diet and it has definitely been better.

[honey32]

i have been have the same pain around my navel but it only come when my period coming on and it will be there tell its but a week after it over can someone tell me what they think it is please

[Palawalla]

This does not sound good. I am beginning to feel that I am in for some trouble. I have navel pains too and I too have been avoiding the doctor cause it did not last long  each time. by the next day it is managable if not pressed firmly. . Mine started about a week after what I thought was a perfect colonoscopy. But I have massive fibroids too.  I was planning to have the fibroids removed soon. Now I do not know if that will complicate my surgery or if the fibroids are contributing. I almost regret the colonoscopy. I asked the doctor if the fibroids put me at risk for a perforation he said no. ????My pain comes on when I dance. A mere touch is painful and it feels as if it is pulling or pulsing inside sometimes. but the latter sensation is not painful.