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A bulge in the belly button or surrounding region (often most visible when coughing or straining) Pain at the hernia site. Constipation. Sharp abdominal pain and vomiting can mean the hernia is strangulated (note: if you are experiencing these symptoms please seek immediate medical attention as surgery may be required) ...
Umbilical hernias are common and typically harmless. Umbilical hernias are most common in infants, but they can affect adults as well.
Hernias can be evaluated with ultrasound around the belly button (umbilicus), in the groin and pubic area. These exams are usually performed at rest (patient laying supine) as well as strained breath such as Valsalva maneuver to challenge the integrity of the surrounding tissues.
What else can be mistaken for a hernia? While a hernia is the cause for most people who experience lumps in their abdomen, there are several other possibilities such as a hematoma, lipoma, a gynecological issue in women, or an undescended testicle in newborn boys. In rare cases, a lump may indicate a tumor.
Umbilical Hernia Diagnosis
Hernias are usually diagnosed during a physical examination by a health care provider. The provider will look and feel for a bulge or swelling in the belly button area.
Most patients with umbilical hernias first notice a belly button bulge or discomfort. Over time these hernias can get larger and more uncomfortable as the hernia sac gets pushed out from inside the abdomen. Like other hernias, an umbilical hernia in an adult will not go away or get better without treatment.
An umbilical hernia can develop when fatty tissue or a part of the bowel pokes through into an area near the navel. In adults, factors that can contribute to developing an umbilical hernia include: being overweight or obese. straining while you are lifting or moving heavy objects.
Most umbilical hernias heal on their own, but your doctor may recommend surgery if: Your child's hernia is very large. Hernias that measure 2 cm (0.8 in.) wide or larger are less likely to close on their own.
If hernia is left untreated, the size of protruding intestine might get bigger and become strangulated leading to the reduction of blood flow to surrounding tissue.
Umbilical hernia repair is a fairly quick and simple operation. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes and it's usually possible to go home on the same day. However, some people stay in hospital overnight if they have other medical problems or if they live alone.
It's normal to feel sore and uncomfortable immediately after surgery. Local anaesthetic, which numbs the area, will be injected before the end of the operation to reduce the pain. Painkillers will also be provided. Your child may be sleepy or cry more than usual after the operation.
Your doctor will recommend surgery right away if: You have pain, a swollen belly, or other signs of a rare but major problem called strangulation or incarcerated hernia. This can occur when the intestine gets trapped in the hernia sac and loses its blood supply.
Most inguinal hernias can be pushed back into the belly with gentle massage and pressure. An inguinal hernia will not heal on its own.
People with umbilical hernias may notice: a soft bulge on or around the belly button. flushed skin or a small sore around bigger umbilical hernias.
A hernia is when a part of the intestine pushes through a weak spot in the belly muscles. A hernia creates a soft lump or bulge under the skin. A hernia that happens in the belly button area is called an umbilical hernia. A hernia that happens in the groin area is called an inguinal hernia.
Serious Symptoms
While most umbilical hernias are not a medical emergency, certain symptoms in babies and adults could mean a hernia is strangulated. This means the blood supply gets cut off to an organ that has pushed through the bellybutton or navel. Strangulated hernias may require emergency surgery to repair.
If a child who has an umbilical hernia has the following symptoms, seek emergency care right away: pain in the area of the hernia; tenderness, swelling or discoloration of the hernia; an inability to easily push in the hernia tissue; and vomiting or constipation.
sudden pain that gets worse quickly. nausea and vomiting. fever. discoloration of your hernia bulge, especially red, purple or a general darkening.
sudden, severe pain. being sick. difficulty pooing or passing wind. the hernia becomes firm or tender, or cannot be pushed back in.
Symptoms of umbilical hernia
Cries. Strains while making a bowel movement. Coughs.
Your doctor will check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you'll likely be asked to stand and cough or strain. If the diagnosis isn't readily apparent, your doctor might order an imaging test, such as an abdominal ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.
You will probably receive general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free) for this surgery. If your hernia is small, you may receive spinal, epidural block, or local anesthesia and medicine to relax you. If general anesthesia is not used, you will be awake but pain-free.