Umbilical Hernia – Symptoms and Causes
Understanding Umbilical Hernias
An umbilical hernia happens when a part of the intestine pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles near the belly button. This creates a soft bulge or swelling around the navel area.
These hernias are quite common and usually not dangerous.
In babies, umbilical hernias are often painless. You might notice the bulge more clearly when your baby cries. This happens because crying increases pressure in the abdomen, making the hernia stick out more.
Most umbilical hernias in children close by themselves within the first two years of life. Some may stay open until age five or even longer. When these hernias appear in adults, they typically need surgery to fix them.
Treatment Options
Several approaches exist for managing umbilical hernias:
- Monitoring: For children, doctors often recommend watching and waiting since many hernias close naturally.
- Supportive care: Special bands or taping methods might be suggested in some cases.
- Surgical repair: Usually recommended for adults or when hernias are large or causing symptoms.
The right treatment depends on the person’s age, the size of the hernia, and whether it causes pain or other problems.
Symptoms
An umbilical hernia shows up as a soft bulge or swelling near the belly button. In infants, this bulge may only be noticeable when they:
- Cry
- Cough
- Strain
For children, umbilical hernias typically don’t cause pain. However, adults who develop umbilical hernias might experience:
- Discomfort in the abdomen
- More noticeable bulging
- Tenderness around the navel area
The size of the bulge can vary from person to person.
When to See a Doctor
Contact your baby’s doctor if you notice a bulge near the belly button. Get emergency help if your baby shows these warning signs:
- Pain or discomfort
- Vomiting
- Swelling, tenderness, or skin color changes around the hernia
Adults should follow similar guidelines. Talk to a doctor about any navel bulges you discover. Seek immediate medical care if the area becomes painful or tender.
Quick action is important. Getting medical help early can prevent serious problems from developing.
Causes
Umbilical hernias form when the abdominal muscles don’t completely close at the midline. In infants, this happens when the opening that allows the umbilical cord to pass through during pregnancy doesn’t seal properly after birth.
For adults, increased abdominal pressure is the main culprit. Several factors can create this pressure:
- Excess weight or obesity
- Multiple pregnancies stretching the abdominal wall
- Fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity
- Previous surgeries on the abdomen
- Long-term kidney treatments like peritoneal dialysis
These factors strain the abdominal wall, potentially causing a weakness or opening where tissue can push through.
Risk Factors
Umbilical hernias occur more frequently in infants, particularly those born prematurely or with low birth weights. In the U.S., Black infants have a slightly higher risk. The condition affects male and female babies at equal rates.
For adults, risk factors include:
- Being overweight
- Multiple pregnancies
- Being female (women develop umbilical hernias more often than men)
Weight gain puts additional pressure on the abdominal wall, which can weaken the area around the navel, increasing hernia risk.
Possible Problems
Complications from umbilical hernias are uncommon in children. However, issues can arise when tissue gets trapped (incarcerated) in the hernia opening and cannot be pushed back into the abdomen.
When this happens, blood flow to the trapped intestine decreases. This may cause stomach pain and damage to tissue.
In severe cases, the trapped intestine may lose its blood supply completely, leading to tissue death. This can allow infection to spread throughout the abdomen, creating a dangerous situation that requires immediate medical attention.
Adults face a higher risk of intestinal blockage from umbilical hernias than children. When complications occur, emergency surgery is often necessary to prevent serious health problems.
