DULL PAIN ON LEFT SIDE OF BELLY BUTTON

There are many possible causes for dull pain on left side of belly button. This is because there are several important organs in this area, such as:

• spleen
• liver
• pancreas
• stomach
• colon
• lung

Knowing the anatomy is very important as to narrow the diagnosis down. Even though the heart is not in the upper left abdomen, but it can radiate pain to this area.

Some of the causes of upper left abdominal pain can be treated at home, while others can be life-threatening. Therefore, if the pain is unexplained, persistent, or severe, always consult your doctor, even if it does not seem to be severe.

CAUSES

HEART ATTACK

If you suspect a heart attack or other emergency call, call your nearest emergency number immediately.

One of the most common symptoms of a heart attack is chest and arm tension, pain, pain, pressure, and bruising. It can spread to the chin, back, or neck.

Symptoms of heart attack may include:

• Dull ache on left side of belly button.
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Indigestion, heartburn, pain in abdomen, or nausea.
• Shortness of breath.
• Cold sweating.

Treatment:

Heart attacks need to be treated in the hospital. Treatment plan may include medication and/or surgery, including:

• Aspirin
• Medications to relieve yourself of pain.
• Blood thinners.
• Nitroglycerin
• ACE inhibitors.
• Stent implantation (surgical procedure).
• Surgery for heart bypass.

 

PERICARDITIS.

Pericarditis is caused by swelling of the membrane around the heart. This similarly inflamed membrane is called the pericardium.

There are four types of pericarditis. The type is determined by the duration of the symptoms. These four types are:

• Acute: symptoms of which last for less than three weeks.
• Incessant: symptoms are persistent and last for 4-6 weeks.
• Recurrent: symptoms recur every 4-6 weeks, with no symptoms coming in between.
• Chronic: symptoms remain for more than 3 months.

Symptoms vary slightly from type to type and include the following:

• The stinging pain in the center or left side of the chest, which can be exacerbated by breathing.
• General feeling of illness, tiredness, or weakness
• Cough
• Abnormal swelling of the abdomen and legs
• Shortness of breath when lying down or lying down
• Palpitations
• Low grade fever
• Dull ache on left side of belly button

Treatment of pericarditis depends on what type you have, what is the cause, and the severity. Treatment options include medications (aspirin and corticosteroids), antibiotics (in case it is caused by infection), pericardiocentesis (surgical procedure which drains the extra fluid from pericardium), and pericardiectomy.

 

TRAPPED GAS.

Trapped gas happens whilst gas is gradual or no longer capable of passing via your digestive tract. It may be as a result of meals or digestive conditions. The signs and symptoms of trapped gas include:

• painful cramps
• a sense of knots to your abdomen
• passing gas
• stomach bloating
• dull ache on left side of belly button

Gas is a normal part of the digestive process, but it can cause discomfort. Gas trapping may be treated in the following ways:

• Dietary changes
• Reduce or eliminate foods that can cause bloating, such as:
• High fiber food
• Dairy products
• Fried food
• Carbonated drinks
• Changing your eating habits by eating slow and little by little
• Stop chewing gum or use a straw

If you have chronic gas traps, it is advisable to check with your doctor to see if indigestion is the cause.

 

CONSTIPATION.

Constipation occurs when you have not more than or just less than three bowel movements in a week, or when you have difficulty in defecating.

Constipation is known as one of the most common etiologies of abdominal pain in children. The symptoms of constipation are:

• Hard stool
• Tension to defecate
• Feeling unable to defecate
• A feeling of obstruction that hinders defecation
• You need to push your stomach to defecate
• Dull ache on left side of belly button

Treatment options for constipation include:

• Try to exercise regularly
• Don’t hesitate if you feel the urge to defecate
• Consume more fiber in foods and supplements
• Taking over-the-counter drugs such as laxatives and prescription drugs
• Treatment to tighten or loosen the muscles of the pelvic floor
• Surgery may be required for people with chronic constipation.

 

HEARTBURN OR GERD

Condition where you have acid reflux and burning in gut is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD). This occurs when the acid moves up from your stomach to your esophagus, and this causes burning in gut.

Not only burning in gut, acid reflux may also cause pain in the chest, it might be difficult for you to swallow, and you may have chronic cough. There are certain foods that might trigger the condition in some people including caffeine, citrus foods, fried foods, fatty foods, spicy foods, garlic, onions, or food based on tomato.

It is important to have GERD or your acid reflux treated, which otherwise would cause a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus.

 

IBS.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that includes a group of intestinal symptoms that usually occur together. Symptoms may vary from person-to-person severity and duration. The symptoms are:

• Abdominal pain or cramps, usually with diarrhea or constipation
• White mucus and stool
• Gas or fullness
• Feeling unable or unable to defecate
• Dull ache on left side of belly button

 

IBD.

Inflammatory bowel disease or IBD is a group of diseases that cause chronic inflammation of the intestine. This group includes two diseases known as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease. These disorders last a lifetime, but proper treatment helps patients manage this condition.  Ulcerative colitis is a swelling and ulcer or ulcer (erosion) of the colon and rectum (part of the colon). Crohn’s disease is a swelling of the gastrointestinal tract between the mouth and anus. Crohn’s disease mainly affects the small intestine and the upper part of the large intestine.

Symptoms of IBD, or inflammatory bowel disease, are:

• Stomach pain.
• Tummy cramps.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Gas and fullness.
• Decreased appetite.
• Weight loss for no apparent reason.
• Bloody stool.
• Mucus in the stool.
• Dull ache in left side of belly button.

People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of developing colon cancer.

 

PANCREATITIS.

Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed. There are two types of pancreatitis, acute and chronic. Symptoms vary from person to person.

Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:

• Abdominal pain spreads to the back
• Abdominal pain that worsens after eating
• Gastric hypersensitivity
• heat
• Vomiting and nausea
• Increased pulse rate

Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include:

• upper abdominal pain
• Unintentional weight loss
• Stools that smell and look oily

Pancreatitis may also cause dull ache on left side of belly button.

 

ENLARGED SPLEEN.

An enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly, may occur because of some of illnesses and conditions.

Infections are one of the very usual reasons of an enlarged spleen or what is known as splenomegaly. Problems together along with your liver, including cirrhosis and cystic fibrosis, also can motive an enlarged spleen.

Symptoms you can revel in with an enlarged spleen include:

• feeling satiety even after consuming very little
• dull ache on left side of your belly button
• back ache that spreads up in your shoulder
• shortness of breath
• tiredness

You also can revel in no signs and symptoms with an enlarged spleen.

 

DIAGNOSIS

If dull ache on left side of belly button gets worse, doctors may use a lot different types of techniques to investigate all possible causes and further proceed on treatment strategies.

These include:

• CT scan
• Ultrasound image
• MRI scan

A physical examination that includes pressing the area to see if a person feels pain when touched or to find a suspicious lump

For endoscopy, a tube with a light and a camera is inserted through the throat into the stomach to create an image of the lower abdomen.

Repetitive visits and close follow-up may be required to identify a particular abdominal problem.

When a general practitioner makes a particular diagnosis, he or she is often referred to a specialist (a gastroenterologist who can provide more targeted care).

If a doctor finds signs of cancer in the lower abdomen, he will refer the person to an oncologist to plan treatment.

 

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR.

Whenever the cause of abdominal pain is not known or is accompanied by other additional symptoms, it is important to visit a doctor (or a gastroenterologist) for abdominal pain.

Physicians should evaluate chronic or persistent pain to rule out serious causes.

Doctors can diagnose the cause of pain and develop a treatment plan to address the underlying cause of pain in the lower left abdomen.

 

TAKEAWAY

As you can see, the causes of pain in the upper left abdomen vary and can be as mild as heartburn. However, if the pain is new, persistent and severe, you should see a doctor.  If your

symptoms include any of the life-threatening symptoms described in this article, you should immediately contact your local paramedics.