What is the cause of frequent pain and discomfort around the umbilicus and is it a serious illness?

Most periumbilical pain is caused by gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastroenteritis, food poisoning and indigestion, and most of these disorders will gradually improve with symptomatic treatment. Some chronic periumbilical pain is also caused by diseases such as allergic purpura and requires further treatment after consultation with gastroenterology or general surgery to identify the cause.