What is an umbilical hernia?
An umbilical hernia occurs when part of your intestine bulges through the opening in your abdominal muscles near your bellybutton (navel). Umbilical hernias are common and typically harmless.
Umbilical hernias are most common in infants, but they can affect adults as well.
In an infant, an umbilical hernia may be especially evident when the infant cries, causing the bellybutton to protrude.
Children's umbilical hernias often close on their own in the first two years of life. Umbilical hernias that appear during adulthood are more likely to need surgical repair.
Symptoms
An umbilical hernia creates a soft swelling or bulge near the navel. Umbilical hernias in children are usually painless. Umbilical hernias that appear during adulthood may cause abdominal discomfort.
When to see a doctor
If you suspect that your baby has an umbilical hernia, talk with the baby's doctor. Seek emergency care if your baby has an umbilical hernia and:
- Appears to be in pain
- Begins to vomit
- Has tenderness, swelling or discoloration at the site of the hernia
Similar guidelines apply to adults. Talk with your doctor if you have a bulge near your navel. Seek emergency care if the bulge becomes painful or tender.
Causes
In adults, too much abdominal pressure contributes to umbilical hernias.
Causes of increased pressure in the abdomen include:
- Obesity
- Multiple pregnancies
- Fluid in the abdominal cavity
- Previous abdominal surgery
- Long-term peritoneal dialysis to treat kidney failure
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/umbilical-hernia/symptoms-causes/syc-20378685
