Pain in the abdomen is perhaps the most common type of pain, which can appear as an independent symptom or one of the signs of another disease. Unpleasant sensations can occur both in the sides and in the lower abdomen, in the abdominal or epigastric region. Not so often, pain occurs around the navel, namely on the right side of it. Pain that appears in the right umbilical region is a very dangerous phenomenon. After all, this can be a sign of a serious disease, for example, inflammation of the appendix.
Reasons for the appearance
In the right side of the abdomen there are some areas of the intestine, such as the hepatic angle of the colon in the right hypochondrium, the ascending colon on the right flank, the blind with the vermiform appendix in the right iliac region, and the small intestine is located in the entire umbilical region, and the appendix is also located there. The right and left iliac sections, as well as suprapubic, are occupied by the appendages of the uterus - the internal organs of the reproductive system. If the stomach hurts to the right of the navel, then this may be the result of impaired functioning of any of the above organs.
Intestinal pathology
Half of all cases when the patient has a stomach ache to the right of the navel is a consequence of problems with the intestines. The cause may be diseases such as:
- irritable bowel syndrome - a functional type of intestinal disorder that periodically worsens, then goes into remission, and then takes a chronic form (the disease is diagnosed if the intestine does not function as it should for more than 3 months, and this is not accompanied by infectious or organic causes) ;
- colitis - the inflammatory process of the external epithelial layer of the intestinal wall;
- intestinal obstruction - a condition that is characterized by a violation of the transport of food through the digestive tract due to the fact that the intestinal walls cease to contract;
- enteritis - a pathology in which the absorption of nutrients by the walls of the small intestine is disturbed, and the cell layer of the mucous membranes atrophies;
- diverticulitis is an inflammatory pathology in the intestine, which is characterized by the appearance in the body cavity of special saccular formations, similar to hernias. For all these reasons, the stomach to the right of the navel can hurt.
Improper nutrition, a large amount of salt and harmful chemical additives in the daily menu, smoking, the use of large amounts of ethanol, and disturbed intestinal microflora - all this also contributes to the occurrence of unpleasant sensations in this area. In some cases, if the patient has recently undergone a long course of treatment with antibiotics and other antibacterial drugs, pain can be an adverse reaction to medications.
It is also worth saying that in women who regularly plague themselves with various diets and significant dietary restrictions, abdominal pain turns into a chronic phenomenon. To avoid this, you need to correctly compose your diet. The daily menu should include foods such as meat, poultry, fish, chicken or quail eggs, milk, berries, fruits, nuts and greens.
Impaired blood circulation
Due to impaired circulation, the stomach to the right of the navel can also hurt. In most cases, this occurs due to compression of the mesenteric vessels. A mesentery is a type of ligament that connects the back of the abdominal cavity with different areas of the intestinal tube. With the help of this fold, the intestine goes into an upright position, and does not "slide" into the lower abdomen. If the movement of blood through the vessels that are on the surface of the mesentery is disturbed, the stomach to the right of the navel in a child or adult may hurt. This may be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- pain in the intestine;
- difficulties with bowel movements;
- irregular stool.
This pathology can only be diagnosed after an ultrasound diagnosis.
Appendicitis
If an adult or a child has a stomach ache to the right of the navel for a long time (more than 12 hours), intensifying with every movement and change in body position, then appendicitis should be suspected. This is a complex pathology of the surgical type, which is associated with inflammation of the appendix - the appendix, which is the appendage of the cecum.
The clinical picture of appendicitis is pronounced, but it is not any specific, different from other diseases of the abdominal cavity. That is why doctors do not recommend self-medication and give the patient any medication, even an analgesic effect, as this can change the symptoms, and therefore, harm the diagnosis.
Symptoms of appendicitis in acute form are expressed by such signs as:
- rapid development of hypotension, including lowering blood pressure;
- increased headache;
- an attack of severe nausea and even vomiting;
- chills, cold sweat;
- pain in the right abdomen at the level of the navel, which can then spread throughout the abdominal cavity;
- muscle tension of the peritoneum.
Remember: getting rid of pain with appendicitis is possible only with the help of surgical intervention. If the inflamed appendix is not removed in a timely manner, pus can spread into the abdominal cavity, and then enter the bloodstream, which in the future can cause peritonitis - inflammation of the tissues and organs of the peritoneum, and sepsis.
Intestinal hernia
Chronic pain in the right abdomen at the navel level may indicate a hernial protrusion. Unpleasant sensations can occur both to the left and to the right of the umbilical ring. A hernia is a protrusion of the intestine that goes beyond the boundaries of its location, while the mucous membranes that line the inner surface of the intestine are intact.
Sometimes pain can be the result of a hernia in the umbilical ring. However, such a pathology is practically not found in adults, since it is characteristic mainly for children aged 5 to 7 years. If you think about why the stomach hurts to the right of the navel in a child, then this disease can be the answer to your question.
Other reasons
If your stomach hurts in the navel on the right, then this may be due to diseases of the gallbladder, pancreas, or kidneys. Tingling in this area is the primary sign of gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), which precedes other symptoms of the disease. Among the pathologies that can manifest themselves in this way, the following can be distinguished:
- impaired liver function;
- an ulcer of the intestinal wall or stomach;
- impaired functioning of the diaphragm;
- gallstone disease - the appearance of stones in the gallbladder.
It is important to know that malignant diseases of the small intestine can also be accompanied by pain in the right umbilical region. Painful sensations with such pathologies are characterized as aching, pulling. At the same time, they are chronic and intensify if you press on the umbilical ring. If your stomach hurts above the navel on the right, immediately visit an oncologist to immediately rule out the likelihood of developing cancer.
Pain in women
If a woman has a stomach ache at the bottom of the navel on the right, then this can speak of gynecological diseases and inflammatory processes that began in the genitourinary system. The most common pathologies of the endometrium. Experts are sure that this is a chronic disease that cannot be completely eliminated, you can only stop its development and division of connective tissue cells. A characteristic feature of the disease is an increase in the inner layer of the uterus and its exit beyond the boundaries of the organ.
The key reason for the development of endometriosis, according to doctors, is hormonal imbalance that occurs during puberty.
Pathologies of the hormonal type can also include endometrial hyperplasia. This disease is characterized by an increase and thickening of the tissue. This pathology has specific symptoms, so it is not difficult to identify it. Endometrial hyperplasia is manifested:
- uterine bleeding that does not go away for more than a week;
- pallor of the skin;
- pain in the lower abdomen and near the navel to the right or bottom;
- fever;
- anemic signs;
- general malaise and poor health;
- dizziness and headaches;
- low blood pressure.
Stopping bleeding with a similar pathology is mainly done only by curettage. This method can also be used to diagnose a disease. A special surgical instrument - a curette, or using a vacuum, a specialist removes the endometrium completely and sends it for histological analysis.
In addition to the above reasons, a stomach ache on the right below the navel can hurt due to the development of the following diseases:
- cervical erosion;
- cystitis;
- glomerulonephritis;
- uterine fibroma (myoma);
- inflammation of the appendages or ovaries;
- pyelonephritis.
Be careful and pay attention if even after treatment of the pathology the pain is present or intensifies, urgently visit an oncologist to prevent or eliminate cancer gynecological diseases.
Cramping pain
Pain is far from often sharp, cutting, stitching or pulling. In some cases, it is similar to muscle spasms, which are mostly the result of narrowing of the intestinal wall.
This symptom may accompany such pathologies as:
- ulcerative colitis with signs of scarring;
- the appearance of adhesions in the intestine;
- enlargement and compaction of the walls of the colon (megacolon);
- Crohn's disease is a chronic pathology that is characterized by granulomatous inflammation of certain sections of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract).
Flatulence, bloating and other dyspeptic disorders that occur with overeating or with impaired functioning of the digestive organs can also cause cramping pain. It disappears after the factors causing it are eliminated.
Pain in men
Most often, men have a stomach ache near the navel on the right due to prostatitis. Moreover, this problem can occur at any age. This disease is characterized by the development of an inflammatory process that affects the tissues of the prostate gland. Pathology can be infectious and non-infectious in nature. Most often, prostatitis becomes chronic, periodically worsening.
The symptomatology of the disease is expressed by such signs as:
- regular urination;
- pain during urination and sexual intercourse;
- significantly elevated temperature;
- swelling and swelling of the prostate tissue.
A disease associated with prostatitis may be prostate adenoma - a pathology of the prostate gland. If the disease is not complicated, then the treatment may consist of conservative methods, if the pathology becomes more severe, surgical intervention may be required.
Diagnostic measures
If you have a stomach ache near the navel on the right for a long time, and discomfort regularly intensifies, then it is worth visiting such doctors as:
- proctologist;
- gastroenterologist;
- surgeon;
- gynecologist;
- oncologist.
If there are no serious symptoms that could indicate dangerous diseases, then the examination can begin with a visit to the therapist. He will conduct a visual examination, palpate the abdominal cavity and collect all the data on the general well-being of the patient.
After the primary information about the disease is collected, the patient must undergo other diagnostic examinations. Here are some of them:
- ultrasonography;
- x-ray of the abdominal cavity;
- colposcopy or biopsy in women;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- biochemical analysis of urine and blood;
- if cancer is suspected - cancer markers.
First aid for pain
In no case, do not take any medications before visiting a doctor. If the painful sensations are not pronounced and tolerant, then one-time use of antispasmodic drugs: No-shpa, Drotaverin, Papaverine.
If, after some time, your stomach hurts to the right of the navel when pressed, you should seek help from a medical facility. If the pain is caused by improper diet, for example, addiction to excessively fatty foods or overeating, you can eliminate the unpleasant symptom with special digestive enzymes. This is the drug Mezim. Two tablets for an adult will be enough.
There are really many causes of pain arising in the right umbilical region: from simple overeating to serious diseases, such as appendicitis or even oncology. So, do not ignore an unpleasant symptom or self-medicate. It is better to consult a doctor on time, undergo a full examination to make an accurate diagnosis and immediately begin competent and effective treatment. So you can timely eliminate the consequences of the disease and prevent possible complications.
From this article, we can conclude that pain near the navel can be a symptom of very serious diseases that are dangerous to human life. Therefore, do not take this phenomenon lightly.