What does an umbilical hernia look like?

Umbilical hernias happen right around the belly button. They don't usually hurt and may just look like an outie belly button. They often go back into place on their own by age 2.

How do I know if I have an umbilical hernia?

An umbilical hernia creates a soft swelling or bulge near the navel. In babies who have an umbilical hernia, the bulge may be visible only when they cry, cough or strain. Umbilical hernias in children are usually painless. Umbilical hernias that appear during adulthood may cause abdominal discomfort.

When should I be concerned about an umbilical hernia?

Call the doctor if your child still has the hernia after turning 5 years old. Call right away if: The hernia gets larger, seems swollen, or is hard. The hernia sticks out when your child is sleeping, calm, or lying down and you can't push it back in.

What does an umbilical hernia look like on a woman?

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.

Is an umbilical hernia serious?

An umbilical hernia is not dangerous in itself, but there is a risk that it will get trapped (incarcerated). This can cut off the blood supply to the contents of the hernia, causing life-threatening conditions such as gangrene or peritonitis (if this happens, the hernia is said to be strangulated).

Umbilical Hernia | Belly Button Hernia | Risk Factors, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Do umbilical hernias affect bowel movements?

Symptoms of umbilical hernia

Cries. Strains while making a bowel movement. Coughs.

How do they fix an umbilical hernia in adults?

The only way to repair an umbilical hernia is through surgery. An umbilical hernia repair surgery helps to push the sac back into place and strengthen the abdominal wall. There are two types of surgery available to repair the hernia.

What can be mistaken for a hernia?

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.

How does a woman get an umbilical hernia?

You may have had this weak spot since you were born, when muscle and other tissue around your umbilical cord didn't close properly. In adults, umbilical hernias are more common in women who have been pregnant several times, in people who are overweight, and in people who have had surgery in the belly.

What does a hernia feel like to touch?

The area may be sensitive to the touch, even if you don't have a noticeable hernia bulge. Pain can feel like a burning or aching sensation, which may get worse with strain. Activities like bending down, lifting heavy objects, coughing, or straining during a bowel movement can trigger sharp pain from a hernia.

What is considered a large umbilical hernia?

Umbilical hernias are common and come in many sizes ranging from small (less than 1 cm) to medium (1 cm to 3 cm) to large (greater than 3cm). Umbilical hernias can be asymptomatic or cause pain. They can be reducible (able to push back in) or incarcerated (always out).

What are the symptoms of umbilical hernia in adults?

How do I know if my umbilical hernia is strangulated?

Can you fix an umbilical hernia without surgery?

An umbilical hernia won't go away on its own. Only surgery can repair it.

Can a hernia cause gas and bloating?

An inguinal hernia can cause someone to feel like they had an enormous meal when in fact they did not. This very common type of hernia can also make you feel bloated accompanied with pain in the groin and lower abdomen. Some of these easy to miss signs of a hernia can be potentially dangerous if not treated.

What can aggravate an umbilical hernia?

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. having a persistent heavy cough.

Will an umbilical hernia repair make my stomach flatter?

Not only will it decrease the chance of a hernia recurrence, but will improve your core strength, stop post-pregnancy bulging due to abdominal wall laxity, and create a flatter, more functional muscular abdomen.

Can a hernia burst?

Spontaneous rupture of an abdominal hernia is very rare and usually occurs in incisional or recurrent groin hernia. The rupture of abdominal hernia demands emergency surgery, to prevent further obstruction, strangulation of bowel and to cover its contents.

Is umbilical hernia common in females?

Umbilical Hernia

It is common among pregnant women. This is due to the stretching they undergo during the pregnancy. Hence it is very frequent during the years of childbearing in women. It is generally believed that there's an increased chance of getting this hernia with age.

What type of hernia is most common in females?

Inguinal hernia is the commonest hernia type in females followed by incisional hernias which also accounteds for most recurrent cases. Age appears to be a risk factor for developing complications.

What happens if a hernia is left untreated?

“Hernias cannot heal on their own — if left untreated, they usually get bigger and more painful, and can cause serious health risks in some cases.” If the wall through which the intestine is protruding closes shut, it can cause a strangulated hernia, which cuts off blood flow to the bowel.

Is umbilical hernia a major surgery?

Is umbilical hernia repair major surgery? An umbilical hernia repair is a relatively routine surgery and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. It can be performed as an open surgery or a minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.

What is the recovery time for an umbilical hernia surgery?

The latest hernia repair techniques usually allow you to return to normal activities within 2 weeks. Gentle exercise, such as walking, can help the healing process. Heavy lifting and strenuous activities should be avoided for about 4 to 6 weeks.

How long does an umbilical hernia surgery take?

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.

What should you avoid with an umbilical hernia?

Fatty Food - Saturated or trans fats food items such as red meat, processed food, high-fat dairy products, hydrogenated vegetable oil should be strictly avoided because these food items lead to inflammation and an increase in weight that possess the risk of increasing the problem of hernia.