Umbilical Hernia

The organs in your body are held by strong muscles that keep them in their place. In some cases, the muscles can develop weak spots, causing the organs or intestines to bulge through them. This condition is called a hernia. 

Quite simply, hernias occur when part of the abdomen protrudes through an opening in the muscle. It is possible for hernias to occur in different places on the body due to various reasons. 

There are several types of hernias, including inguinal (in the inguinal canal), incisional (caused by an incision), femoral (upper thigh), umbilical (belly button), and hiatal (upper stomach).

In the following content, we have provided all the information you need about umbilical hernias, so follow along to learn more.

What Is Umbilical Hernia

In an umbilical hernia, the umbilical cord, which connects a fetus to its mother while in the womb, pushes through the umbilical ring in the belly button. It occurs as a soft lump in the skin around or under the belly button. 

Umbilical hernias mostly occur in infants (especially in premature infants or those with low birth weight) but can form in adults as well. In infants, they typically close naturally within the first five years of life. Surgical treatment is likely to be needed if they do not close on their own or form in adults. 

They are commonly visible in infants when the child cries, coughs or laughs. In most cases, they do not cause pain or discomfort in the children. However, abdominal discomfort may result from an umbilical hernia that occurs during adulthood.

Causes of Umbilical Hernia

When the fetus is in its developing stage, it is connected to the mother using the umbilical cord, which comes through an opening in the abdominal muscles. When the mother gives birth, the abdominal muscles to which the umbilical cord is attached close automatically. 

However, there are times when these muscles are unable to meet completely and grow back, leaving a small opening in the wall. When an organ or an intestine passes through this defect in the wall, a hernia is formed.

This type of hernia occurs in children mostly due to the following reasons:

• Repetitive vomiting 
• Severe cough
• Constipation for an extended period of time

In adults, it is typically caused by the following factors:

• Obesity
• Multiple pregnancies or frequent pregnancies
• Increased pressure on the abdominal muscles (can occur due to the continuous heavy lifting of objects)
• excess fluid in the abdominal cavity
• abdominal surgery

According to various studies, umbilical hernias are prevalent in 10–30% of white infants at birth, while 23–85% of African American infants have them. In contrast, according to another study, only one in ten adults with umbilical hernias acquired the condition in childhood; the majority acquired it as a result of muscle problems in later life.

Symptoms

Bulging or swelling around the umbilical area is a tell-tale symptom. The bulge will be more visible when the child cries or laughs but will go away when the child is resting or sleeping. 

In some cases, the patients will experience pain due to the bulge. This happens when the protrusion can't get enough blood flow, causing swelling and pain. The intensity of the pain varies from person to person.

Diagnosis

Umbilical hernias are diagnosed via a physical examination conducted by your doctor. This may involve an X-ray or an ultrasound so that the doctor can get to know the intensity of the condition.

Initially, the doctor will try to push the bulge back into the abdominal cavity. However, surgery might be required if the body is at risk of dealing with the following complications:

• obstruction – a part of the bowel gets trapped outside the abdomen. This might lead to pain and nausea.
• strangulation – a part of the bowel gets trapped and cannot get sufficient blood supply. This is a life-threatening condition that must be immediately treated.

Treatment 

In the cases of infants, most hernias are resolved within the first two to five years naturally. However, surgery is likely to be recommended if the hernia grows consistently, causes pain, or involves the risk of blocking the blood supply. 

Umbilical hernias in adults are difficult to resolve naturally, and to completely get rid of them, your doctor may advise surgery.

Hernia Surgery

Hernia surgery is a quick procedure in which the tissue or organ is pushed back into the abdomen through a small incision. In some cases, the doctors will use prosthetic mesh to strengthen the defect in the abdominal wall. 

There are two main types of hernia surgeries:

• Open repair hernia surgery: this is the oldest method of repairing a hernia, and involves makes cuts around the groin area. The surgeon identifies the hernia sac and pushes it back into the abdomen. Once the process is completed, the defect in the abdominal wall is strengthened using stitches or synthetic mesh.
• Laparoscropic hernia surgery: this is a minimally invasive procedure that involves small incisions and inserting a laparoscope (small camera) through them. Surgeons use this camera to locate the hernia and repair it. The defect in the abdominal wall is strengthened using prosthetic mesh or stitches to avoid hernia from occurring again. This procedure is relatively quicker with a shorter recovery time.

Post-Surgical Care

Patients often feel slight discomfort and swelling at the surgery site after they have been operated. It is important to avoid strenuous physical activities until you are healed completely.

If your child has gone through a hernia surgery, give them pain medications your doctor has advised to help with the discomfort. Avoid tub baths, and use a sponge instead. Likewise, you should not allow them to engage in physical activities such as biking and other sports. In order to know when it is safe to resume such activities, you should speak with your doctor.

Our team at Hernia Innovations consists of certified and experienced professionals in hernia treatment. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a Hernia consultation and treatment.