Burning, gnawing ache above my belly button
The ache sits high in your belly, just above the navel. Some days it burns. Other days it gnaws, like hunger that food does not settle.
That spot lies right over the top of your stomach. When the stomach lining turns sore or swollen, doctors call it gastritis. The ache can flare after meals, after coffee, or in the middle of the night.
Common triggers include pain pills like aspirin and ibuprofen, alcohol, smoking, and stress. A germ called H.
pylori can also inflame the lining. Rich or spicy food makes the ache louder for some people.
When to see someone
Get help right away if you vomit blood or dark grains like coffee grounds. Black, tarry stools need the same fast care. See a doctor soon for weight loss you did not plan, trouble swallowing, vomiting that keeps up, pain that wakes you at night, or an ache that drags on past a week.
Below is a list of remedies people have long used for gastritis. Each one has a grade that shows how much research stands behind it. A grade is not a promise, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist before you try one.



