Umbilical Hernia

A bulge in the tummy near the belly button can sometimes happen. This is called an umbilical hernia. It happens when a bit of the intestines pushes through a small weak spot in the abdominal muscles around the belly button. These hernias are quite common, and usually don't cause any problems.

A baby's belly button (navel) area might have a small, soft lump or bulge. This is called an umbilical hernia. Sometimes, the bulge is only noticeable when the baby cries, coughs, or does something that puts pressure on their tummy.

Umbilical hernias in children are generally not painful. However, if an adult develops an umbilical hernia, it could cause a little tummy ache or discomfort.

If you think your baby might have an umbilical hernia, it's important to talk to their doctor. An umbilical hernia is a small bulge near the belly button. A baby's belly button area can sometimes bulge out, and this is usually nothing to worry about. However, if you notice anything that concerns you, it's crucial to get medical advice.

Seek immediate medical attention for your baby if they have an umbilical hernia and:

• Are showing signs of discomfort or pain.
• Start throwing up (vomiting).
• Have any tenderness, swelling, or changes in color (like redness or bluishness) around the bulge.

These same general guidelines apply to adults too. If you notice a bulge around your belly button, contact your doctor. If the bulge becomes painful, sore, or irritated, get medical help right away.

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of umbilical hernias, whether in babies or adults, can help prevent future problems.

A baby's umbilical cord passes through a small hole in their tummy muscles during pregnancy. Usually, this hole closes up right after birth. But sometimes, the muscles don't completely connect in the middle of the tummy. This can cause a bulge, called an umbilical hernia, either at birth or later.

In grown-ups, umbilical hernias often happen when there's too much pressure inside the tummy. Several things can make this pressure go up:

• Being overweight or obese: Extra weight puts extra pressure on the belly.
• Having multiple babies: Carrying more than one baby during pregnancy puts a lot of strain on the belly.
• Fluid buildup in the belly: Sometimes, extra fluid collects in the space around the organs in the tummy.
• Previous tummy surgery: Scar tissue from an operation can weaken the abdominal wall.
• Long-term dialysis for kidney problems: This treatment can sometimes lead to increased pressure in the tummy.

This extra pressure can cause the tissues around the umbilical cord's old hole to bulge outward, creating the hernia.

Umbilical hernias are a common problem, especially in newborns, particularly premature babies and those born with a low weight. In the US, Black infants seem to have a slightly higher chance of getting this type of hernia. Boys and girls are affected equally.

Adults can also get umbilical hernias. Having extra weight or having had several pregnancies might make an adult more likely to develop one. For adults, these hernias are somewhat more common in women.

Umbilical hernias are a common problem, especially in babies. Most of the time, they don't cause any issues. However, sometimes, a small part of the tummy's contents can get pushed through the weak spot in the belly button and get stuck (incarcerated).

This trapped tissue can be a problem because it cuts off the blood supply to the affected area. This can lead to pain in the tummy and damage to the tissue. Imagine a garden hose being pinched off – no water gets to the plants, and they start to die. The same thing can happen to the intestines.

If the blood supply to the trapped part of the intestines is completely cut off, the tissue can die. This is a serious problem. Also, infection can spread throughout the belly, which is very dangerous and can threaten a person's life.

For adults, umbilical hernias are less common, but they can still cause problems. A trapped part of the intestine is more likely in adults than in children. This blockage often needs to be corrected with surgery right away.

A doctor can find an umbilical hernia during a routine physical check-up. Sometimes, extra tests like an ultrasound of the belly or a CT scan are done to look for any problems related to the hernia. These extra tests can help see if the hernia is causing any complications.

Many baby umbilical hernias go away on their own by the time a child is one or two years old. A doctor can often gently push the bulge back into the baby's tummy during a checkup. It's crucial not to try this at home.

Some people think putting a coin or tape over the bulge will fix it, but this is not a good idea. Putting anything on the bulge won't help and could actually trap germs, increasing the risk of infection.

Doctors usually only recommend surgery for umbilical hernias in children if:

• The hernia is causing pain.
• The bulge is larger than about a quarter to three-quarters of an inch (1 to 2 centimeters) across.
• The bulge is large and doesn't shrink during the first two years of the child's life.
• The bulge doesn't disappear by the time the child is five years old.
• The hernia becomes trapped, potentially blocking the intestines.

In adults, surgery is typically recommended to prevent problems, especially if the hernia gets bigger or starts to hurt.

During surgery, the doctor makes a small cut near the belly button. The protruding tissue is pushed back into the tummy, and the opening in the abdominal wall is sewn closed. In adults, doctors often use a special mesh material to reinforce the abdominal wall, making it stronger.