Associated symptoms

Pain in the navel can be accompanied by different symptoms, depending on what the cause of the discomfort is. For example, umbilical inflammation can be accompanied by redness, swelling and overheating of the region and weeping wounds. In the case of an umbilical hernia, one will usually see a protrusion in the region of the navel, as intestines protrude at this point due to a weak point in the abdominal wall.

In some cases, this hernial orifice only becomes visible when pressure is increased in the abdominal cavity – for example, when coughing or pressing. Pain in the umbilical region can also occur with appendicitis. Accompanying symptoms can then be fever, nausea and stool irregularities, for example. Further symptoms should give cause for medical clarification in order to exclude serious causes for the complaints. If the pain at the navel is pulling and rather dull, certain specific causes may be possible.

Diagnosis

Pain in the navel can be easily diagnosed if the patient describes the typical symptoms to the doctor. In order to clarify the cause, a physical examination is then performed, during which the doctor inspects the navel region in detail. If no obvious signs of inflammation or the like can be detected, the doctor will also palpate the navel and check for pain and other abnormalities.

A diagnosis can usually be made quickly in this way. If the child has growth-related pain, it is helpful to let the child romp around, especially after eating, or to encourage it to move. This can also be done preventively in susceptible children.

In general, the application of heat, for example in the form of grain cushions or hot water bottles, as well as a light abdominal massage is helpful for pain in the abdomen area. Especially for children, a stomach massage has a double effect. The duration of pain in the navel area depends largely on the underlying cause.

If adequate therapeutic treatment is given, the pain can usually be brought under control quickly. An inflammation of the umbilical region should subside within a few days of initiating therapy. However, an umbilical hernia must be treated surgically.Following such an operation, the area will continue to hurt for a few days due to the surgical treatment.

Within a few weeks, however, pain relief can usually be achieved. The same applies to appendicitis, which must be treated surgically. Functional complaints in the region of the navel, for which there is no specific cause requiring treatment, usually disappear within a short time.

The prognosis for pain in the navel is good, as there are often no hidden causes requiring treatment. Even if there are more serious causes behind the symptoms, such as an umbilical hernia or an inflammation of the umbilicus, the prognosis is still very good, since these causes can usually be treated medically. In general, the prognosis of pain therefore depends on the cause, but can be considered very positive overall.

On the one hand, the gentle movements calm the bowel, on the other hand, the children feel safe because of the attention, which can also improve the symptoms. For the massage, slightly warmed oil (fennel or camomile oil is particularly suitable) can be used, which is gently spread in a clockwise direction, whereby the circles drawn should become larger and larger. If navel colic is the cause, parents should ensure that the child grows up at home in a calm, stress-free atmosphere and that not too much pressure is exerted on the child or too much is demanded of it.

In addition to heat and massage applications, natural remedies such as linseed wraps are also suitable for harmless navel pain. For this, a cup of linseed is boiled in a pot and the finished seeds are wrapped in a kitchen towel and the compress is then placed on the navel for about two hours until the linseed has become cold. Besides the calming flax seeds, other herbs such as chamomile, caraway or fennel are also suitable for use as tea or through local tinctures.