Pain in this area can be caused by eating too much. It can be caused by a food or a drug that upsets the stomach. It can also be caused by more serious problems like stomach ulcers or a gallbladder attack. Reflux disease (GERD) causes a burning pain that goes into the chest.
Diagnosis for Belly Button Pain
The majority of the time, when you experience pain above your belly button, it could be due to an issue with your gastrointestinal or intestinal tract, such as the stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, or intestines.
Located directly behind the stomach, the pancreas lies deep in the center of the abdomen. Its position corresponds to an area 3-6 inches above the “belly button”, straight back on the back wall of the abdominal cavity. In fact, the bones of the spine are just a few inches behind the pancreas.
Pain from a mild muscle injury or spasms can cause temporary pain in the upper abdomen. The pain often gets better with gentle massage and rest. Some people also find relief by using cold and hot packs. If muscle pain is intense or does not get better after a few days, see a doctor for an evaluation.
Common causes for pain around your belly button include indigestion, constipation, and umbilical hernias. Other, more serious causes include appendicitis, gallstones, and pancreatitis. Contact a medical professional for belly button pain that persists, is severe, or occurs with other symptoms.
Call your doctor if you have abdominal pain that lasts 1 week or longer, if your pain doesn't improve in 24 to 48 hours, if bloating lasts more than 2 days, or if you have diarrhea for more than 5 days. There are three body views (front, back, and side) that can help you to identify a specific body area.
This part of your abdomen is referred to as the umbilical region. It contains parts of your stomach, small and large intestine, and your pancreas. There are many conditions that can cause periumbilical pain.
Pain in your upper abdomen is usually due to a temporary, minor problem, such as indigestion or gas. However, ongoing or severe upper abdominal pain may indicate a potentially serious condition. Contact a doctor for severe pain or pain that does not go away within 2 days.
If the pain is sudden, severe or does not ease within 30 minutes, seek emergency medical care. Sudden abdominal pain is often an indicator of serious intra-abdominal disease, such as a perforated ulcer or a ruptured abdominal aneurysm, although it could also result from a benign disease, such as gallstones.
Dr. Lee says gastritis pain usually occurs in the mid-upper stomach region, just below the breastbone and above the belly button. People describe gastritis pain in different ways, but these descriptions are common: Nagging discomfort. Dull or burning pain.
Q: What Does a Belly or Abdominal (Ventral) Hernia Feel Like? A: If you have a ventral hernia in the belly area, you may see or feel a bulge along the outer surface of the abdomen. Typically, patients with ventral hernias describe mild pain, aching or a pressure sensation at the site of the hernia.
When your stomach swells and feels hard, the explanation might be as simple as overeating or drinking carbonated drinks, which is easy to remedy. Other causes may be more serious, such as an inflammatory bowel disease. Sometimes the accumulated gas from drinking a soda too quickly can result in a hard stomach.
The stages of appendicitis can be divided into early, suppurative, gangrenous, perforated, phlegmonous, spontaneous resolving, recurrent, and chronic.
The characteristic pain that results from acute appendicitis will typically begin in the vicinity of the stomach or belly button and then, as the abdominal wall and other organs begin to be affected by inflammation, the pain will move towards the lower right side of the abdomen and become more severe.
It can be caused by drinking too much alcohol, eating spicy foods, or smoking. Some diseases and other health issues can also cause gastritis. Symptoms may include stomach pain, belching, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bleeding, feeling full, and blood in vomit or stool.
Acid blockers — also called histamine (H-2) blockers — reduce the amount of acid released into your digestive tract, which relieves gastritis pain and encourages healing. Available by prescription or over the counter, acid blockers include famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet HB) and nizatidine (Axid AR).
What Causes Gastritis? Gastritis can be caused by irritation due to excessive alcohol use, chronic vomiting, stress, or the use of certain medications such as aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs.
There are three main types of abdominal pain: visceral, parietal, and referred pain.
Moderate to severe upper abdominal pain that may spread to your back. Pain that comes on suddenly or builds up over a few days. Pain that worsens when eating. Swollen, tender abdomen.
Indigestion — also called dyspepsia or an upset stomach — is discomfort in your upper abdomen. Indigestion describes certain symptoms, such as abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness soon after you start eating, rather than a specific disease. Indigestion can also be a symptom of various digestive diseases.
Abdominal tenderness is generally a sign of inflammation or other acute processes in one or more organs. The organs are located around the tender area. Acute processes mean sudden pressure caused by something. For example, twisted or blocked organs can cause point tenderness.