When to Worry About an Umbilical Hernia?

An umbilical hernia occurs when a tissue bulges out from the abdominal wall near the belly button. The umbilical hernia may disappear by the time a child is 5 years age but still, they are typically harmless. However, people who look for a hernia specialist near me who feels untreated hernia is causing complications, he/ she might suggest surgery for the same. 

Knowing umbilical hernia

It is a soft swelling occurring when the intestinal part bulges out through the umbilical opening. While this condition is more common in children, there exist cases of hernia in adults as well. In children, the hernia resolves on its own in their initial 3 to 5 years without any medical intervention. However, adults with umbilical hernia may need to undergo a surgical procedure to resolve the same. 

Causes of umbilical hernia

The muscle surrounding the belly button is an umbilical ring which is also the opening for an umbilical hernia. The umbilical cord passes through this ring during pregnancy to provide blood and nutrition to the developing foetus. 

Usually, this ring closes after the delivery of a baby but incorrect closure may cause the intestines to stretch. This may further result in the bulging of the belly button whenever a baby performs any activity that puts strain on that area. One may look for hernia doctors near me if the hernia doesn't disappear even after the baby gets older. 

Occurrence of umbilical hernia 

Nearly 20% of the children born suffer from umbilical hernia no matter what their gender is. Babies who have a low weight at the time of birth or pre-term babies usually have hernia. Amongst the racial differences, Black babies commonly have hernia rather than the white ones with no known cause. 

When it comes to adults, 2-5% of the population has an umbilical hernia which is second most common after groin hernia. This type of hernia has a female predilection and is common in babies born as females. Adults who face complications usually look for a hernia specialist doctor near me. 

Types of umbilical hernia 

1. Some hernias are reducible and the doctor may simply push back the bulging tissue to normalize the same. 
2. The strangulated type of hernia may cut off the blood supply to the intestinal tissues and require urgent medical intervention to avoid complications. 
3. When the bulging tissue traps the intestinal muscles, an incarcerated hernia occurs which may cause tenderness and pain. 

Risk factors for hernia

1. Premature babies are at a higher risk for umbilical hernia in comparison to adults. 
2. The force on the abdominal wall due to extended periods of coughing may put the person at risk for an umbilical hernia and require a visit to the best hernia specialist near me.
3. Children or adults who suffer from obesity are at a greater risk for developing umbilical hernia. 
4. Pregnant women are at a comparatively higher risk for umbilical hernia as multiple pregnancies raise the risk. 
5. Unhealthy people with a low or higher BMI than the normal range are also at an elevated risk for umbilical hernia. 

When to worry about hernia?

People who experience severe pain or redness in and around their belly button (navel) need to worry about their umbilical hernia. Tenderness or discoloration in the belly button area are also common in an umbilical hernia. 

Bowel obstruction or difficulty in performing bowel movements along with symptoms like nausea or vomiting require urgent medical attention. This might indicate the contents of the umbilical hernia are stuck within the bowel and surgery might help to treat the problem. 

Diagnosis of umbilical hernia

The best hernia doctor near me can accurately diagnose umbilical hernia through a thorough physical examination. Sometimes, the symptoms are not visible but one may notice the bulging of the belly button indicating a hernia. 

People with complex cases of hernia or larger bulging might need to undergo imaging scans for the correct diagnosis. These scans may include an ultrasound or a Computed Tomography (CT) scan that reveals the inside structures clearly. 

Treating umbilical hernia

One of the newer techniques to repair umbilical hernia is robotic surgery which is a minimally invasive procedure. The surgeon will use a console to guide the movements of the robotic arms through small cuts. 

The surgery helps to put the bulged-out tissue back in its place and helps form a strong barrier. The robotic surgery is quite popular because of the clear 3-D images that it produces to perform the repair. This results in lesser pain & discomfort and minimal scars that help in faster recovery from the surgery. 

Sohana Hospital provides the best hernia treatment in Chandigarh with its excellent team of doctors and dedicated supporting staff. Our hospital in Chandigarh has state-of-the-art facilities including the latest Da Vinci robotic surgical system for comprehensive treatment. The system ensures precision and accuracy at every step with the best results that a patient expects.