Belly button pain is usually a sign of an intestinal condition, like bloating, infection, stomach flu, appendicitis, irritable bowel syndrome or even an obstructed bowel.

Belly button pain can also be felt as a result of pain radiating from other areas of the abdomen. This can happen with pancreatitis, for example, which is usually described as pain in the upper left abdomen that radiates to the middle of the abdomen or the belly button. Other conditions that cause radiating belly button pain are gallbladder inflammation and even pregnancy. Pain in the belly-button can vary, however, and can be reported as cramping, sharp, persistent or accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, sweating or fever.

Frequent or intense belly pain that presents with other symptoms should be assessed by a family doctor or gastroenterologist. Once the underlying cause is identified and a diagnosis is confirmed, treatment can be initiated as necessary.

Why do I have belly button pain?

Belly button pain can be caused by:

1. Umbilical hernia

An umbilical hernia can cause pain located directly on the belly button. These hernias happen when a part of the intestine or another abdominal organ bulges through the abdominal lining and accumulates between the abdominal muscles and skin.

Generally, the pain emerges or worsens with physical activity, but it can be persistent and become intense if circulation to tissue around the hernia becomes cut off from increase local swelling. Learn more about different types of hernias.

What to do: Treatment for an umbilical hernia should be guided by a general surgeon. Treatment can vary from watchful waiting, to see if the hernia resolves on its own, with with surgery to repair it.

2. Constipation

Constipation is a very important cause of abdominal pain around the belly button. It is often a result of intestinal distension from gas or from accumulated feces that stimulate nerves that pass through this region. Many women may also experience constipation during pregnancy.

What to do: To prevent constipation, you should maintain a diet that is rich in fiber, which can be found in vegetables and seeds. See which naturally laxative foods you should include in your diet. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, at least 2 L per day, to maintain food intestinal flow and and to reduce abdominal blowing. Laxatives, like lactulose, can be prescribed by the doctor if constipation does not improve on its own.

You can check out these home remedies for constipation before seeing your doctor, although you should follow-up if the constipation does not improve within a few days.

3. Pregnancy

Pregnant women can present with pain or discomfort around the belly button at any time during pregnancy. This pain is normal and expected, and is associated with belly growth and round ligament stretching. The stretching belly can weaken the abdominal wall around the belly button and cause an umbilical hernia.

In addition, compression and distension of the uterus and other organs can stimulate pain nerves in the area and cause the sensation of pain in the belly button. This is usually more intense at the end of pregnancy.

What to do: If the pain you feel is mild and tolerable, you should just monitor it, as it will likely disappear on its own. The doctor may prescribe analgesics, like acetaminophen. You should look out for signs of redness, swelling, belly button discharge, and intense pain as these are signs of infection. Read more about the causes of belly button pain during pregnancy.

4. Gastroenteritis

Diarrhea that occurs due to gastroenteritis or food poisoning can cause pain around the belly button. However, this type of pain can be felt anywhere in the abdomen due to inflammation associated with these conditions.

Pain can also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and fever, and an last, on average, for 3 to 7 days.

What to do: You should opt for light meals with easy-to-digest foods that are low in fat. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, like water, tea and fresh juices. Analgesics and antispasmodic medication can help to relieve pain, but if symptoms become intense, last for over one week or are accompanied by bleeding or fever over 39ºC (or 102.2ºF), you should proceed to the emergency room.

Be sure to read up on home remedies for food poisoning you can use to complement your medical treatment.

5. Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, which is a small organ connected to the large intestine. It starts off as pain around the belly button that spreads to the lower right abdomen and becomes more intense as time goes on. This inflammation is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and fever. Appendicitis is characterized by rebound pain, which means that pain is felt not with palpation of the abdomen, but when releasing it. Learn more about appendicitis pain and how to identify it.

Complete our online symptom checker to assess your risk for appendicitis.

What to do: If you notice symptoms of appendicitis, you should proceed to the emergency room for assessment and a diagnosis. if confirmed, the treatment involves surgical removal of the appendix and antibiotics. Read more about how appendicitis is treated and possible complications that can occur.

6. Gallbladder inflammation

Gallbladder inflammation, or cholecystitis, usually develops due to accumulated gallstones that obstruct bile flow. It can cause abdominal pain and vomiting that worsen after eating. In most cases, the pain is felt in the upper right abdomen, but it can also be felt around the belly button and radiate to the back. Read more about what can cause gallstones and what symptoms they can cause.

What to do: If you suspect your symptoms are related to gallbladder inflammation, you should proceed to the emergency room for assessment and testing. Treating is prescribed by the doctor, and may involve the use of antibiotics, diet changes, IV hydration and gallbladder removal surgery. See the home remedies for gallstones you can use to complement your medical treatment.

7. Irritable bowel syndrome

This illness is characterized by abdominal pain that improves following bowel movements. Pain is often felt in the lower abdomen, but it can vary and be felt in any area of the abdomen. This condition is usually associated with bloating, intestinal gas, and alternating diarrhea with constipation.

What to do: This condition is diagnosed by a gastroenterologist. Treatment can involve analgesics and antispasmodic to relieve pain, simethicone to decrease gas, laxatives and fiber during periods of constipation, and anti-diarrhea meds during periods of diarrhea. It is common for this condition to be seen in anxious people, therefore psychological support and stress relief may also help with symptoms.

8. Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a serious inflammation of the pancreas, which is the main organ responsible for the breakdown of nutrients in the intestines. It can often cause strong pain in the middle of the abdomen, which can radiate to the back. This condition can also cause nausea, vomiting and fever.

Pancreatitis can be acute, which causes more obvious symptoms, or it can be chronic, which causes a more mild or persistent pain and is associated with absorption problems, Because pancreatitis can quickly become very serious, you should seek medical attention if you have symptoms.

What to do: If you have symptoms of pancreatitis, you should seek a medical assessment to confirm the presence of this illness. Treatment should be initiated promptly, and it may involve diet restrictions, IV hydration, antibiotics and analgesics. Serious cases with complications, like a bowel perforation, may require surgical intervention. Read about the pancreatitis diet that your doctor can recommend during treatment or during surgical recovery.

9. Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is a term that encompasses illnesses like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. This condition is characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestinal lining due to autoimmune dysfunction. Some common symptoms include abdominal pain which can emerge throughout the abdomen, but is commonly felt in the lower abdomen), diarrhea and intestinal bleeding.

What to do: Treatment for this condition should be guided by a gastroenterologist with medication to relieve pain and soothe inflammation and diarrhea. In more serious cases, surgical intervention to remove damaged portions of the intestines may be necessary. Check-out the Crohn's disease diet or ulcerative colitis diet that your doctor may advise to help manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups.

10. Intestinal ischemia

Decreased blood flow to the intestines, caused by inflammation or tissue death, can cause abdominal pain that is localized around the belly button. The pain can be subtle or persistent, depending on the cause of circulation issues.

This situation can happen due to the narrowing of intestinal blood vessels, vessel spasms, sudden drops in blood pressure, heart failure, intestinal cancer or drug use.

What to do: Treatment for intestinal ischemia depends on the underlying cause. The treatment plan is formulated by a gastroenterologist and can involve diet changes and analgesic medications. Medications or surgical interventions to dissolve clots and improve blood flow may also be considered.

11. Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a bowel condition characterized by inflammation or infection of the diverticula, which are small packets that are found along the intestinal walls. This inflammation is more commonly seen in the lower part of the colon, which corresponds to lower abdominal pain. However, this pain can radiate to the bellybutton and cause discomfort and heaviness.

Other symptoms related to diverticulitis include fever over 38ºC (or 100.4ºF), loss of appetite, nausea, bloating, and periods of constipation and diarrhea.

What to do: If you suspect you have diverticulitis, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible to confirm a diagnosis. Diverticulitis treatment usually involves antibiotics and analgesics. In addition, you will also need to rest and maintain a liquid diet, which will allow for healing of the affected intestine. Solids are then slowly re-added to the diet.

Read more about the diverticulitis diet that you can initiate to prevent and treat flare-ups.

12. Abdominal muscle strain

Intense abdominal exercises, like weighted sit-ups or bicycle crunches, can cause microtears in the abdominal muscles, leading to pain that can be felt around the bellybutton and lower abdomen. This pain tends to worsen with movement, and is more commonly felt in those who do not frequently work-out this muscle group.

What to do: Warming-up before starting any exercise is important to get optimal blood flowing to the active area. Stretching after intense exercising can also help to prevent injury from microtears and lactic acid build-up. Bellybutton pain from ab muscle exercising can be relieved with cold compresses and over-the-counter analgesics, and should resolve within a few days. If this pain persists, you are advised to follow-up with your doctor.

Other possible causes of belly button pain

In addition to the above-mentioned causes, belly button pain can also be caused by less common situations, like:

Parasitic infestation: which can cause abdominal inflammation and distension, causing belly button pain or pain in other regions of the abdomen.
Abdominal tumors: which can displace or compress organs in the area
Gastric ulcers: which can cause intense inflammation
Urinary tract infections: although they usually cause lower abdominal pain, UTIs can also irritate nerves near the belly button, especially during urination
Inflammation from direct trauma or infection in the abdominal muscles
Bowel obstruction from impacted feces, neurological disease or a tumor
Spinal disease: like a hernia, these conditions can cause pain that radiates to the abdomen and belly button

Because there are so many possible causes for belly button pain, it is best to seek an assessment, as the doctor can identify the type of pain, evaluate associated symptoms and health history, and perform a physical exam to determine the cause.