Does an umbilical hernia hurt?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Umbilical hernias can be painful because they may become incarcerated or even rupture. An umbilical hernia occurs when the area has not completely closed, allowing abdominal organs, such as the omentum or intestines, to enter the hernia sac. If incarceration persists for an extended period, it can cause localized pain and even symptoms of nausea and vomiting. For umbilical hernias, we generally advocate conservative treatment within the first six months, as most patients can heal on their own. If the diameter of the umbilical ring is still greater than 1.5 cm after the age of two, we recommend surgical treatment. The conservative treatment for umbilical hernia involves using a coin or a flat board, larger than the umbilical ring, wrapped and pressed against the ring, and then secured with wide adhesive tape. This method can prevent the hernia from protruding and promote healing.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Does an umbilical hernia affect a baby's gastrointestinal system?

Umbilical hernia generally does not affect a baby's gastrointestinal tract, but we need to avoid the hernia becoming trapped or even rupturing. Once an umbilical hernia has formed, the hernial sac may contain abdominal omentum or possibly intestines. If the intestines become trapped, this can lead to necrosis of the intestines. Generally, patients may experience nausea, vomiting, or even bloody stools. Therefore, umbilical hernias can usually be treated conservatively within the first six months. If the diameter of the umbilical ring is still greater than 1.5 cm after the age of two, we recommend early surgical intervention, as only surgical treatment can cure it. In the treatment process of an umbilical hernia, the conservative treatment methods adopted mainly involve using a coin or a flat board larger than the umbilical ring, wrapping it to press against the umbilical ring, and then securing it with wide tape to prevent movement.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What should I do about an umbilical hernia?

Umbilical hernia is a type of hernia, mainly caused by poor development of the navel area and a relatively weak abdominal wall at the navel. It occurs when the intestines protrude through the belly button towards the surface of the body due to increased intra-abdominal pressure. The main treatments are as follows: if the infant or toddler is under two years old and the hernia is relatively small, it can be observed conservatively or it might close on its own. If the child is older than two years and the hernia is larger, surgical repair may be necessary. For adults with an umbilical hernia, surgical repair is generally the best treatment method.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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Can an umbilical hernia cause diarrhea?

Umbilical hernias rarely cause diarrhea in patients. An umbilical hernia mainly occurs because the umbilical ring is not completely closed, allowing parts of the small intestine or omentum to enter under the skin at the belly button, forming a noticeable bulge. The most common symptom caused by umbilical hernias is intestinal obstruction, which presents as abdominal pain. This mainly occurs when the small intestine becomes trapped in the umbilical ring and cannot easily retract, which rarely leads to symptoms of diarrhea. If a patient experiences diarrhea, further medical examination at a hospital is necessary to determine if it is caused by other reasons.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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How does an umbilical hernia gradually improve?

Umbilical hernia refers to a protrusion formed by abdominal contents through the weak area of the umbilicus. After the umbilical cord falls off in the neonatal period, the umbilical scar area, due to the phase when the umbilical cord passes through the abdominal wall during fetal life, creates a congenital separation in the abdominal wall. In infancy, the abdominal muscles on either side do not completely close at the midline, leaving a defect and forming the umbilical ring. When crying, coughing, or struggling increases intra-abdominal pressure, the abdominal contents gradually push outwards through the umbilicus, forming an umbilical hernia. Most umbilical hernias can heal on their own within one year through the contraction of the umbilical fascial ring. Therefore, unless incarceration occurs, observation and waiting with non-surgical treatment can be adopted to promote healing before the age of two.

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Written by Liu Li
Pediatrics
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Can an umbilical hernia cause colic in babies?

In general normal circumstances, children with umbilical hernias are unlikely to experience symptoms of intestinal colic. This is because the protrusion from the umbilical hernia is not very large, so the likelihood of causing intestinal colic is very low. Parents should not be overly worried about umbilical hernias causing intestinal colic. However, in some cases where the symptoms of umbilical hernia in babies are more noticeable, it is still necessary to seek active and timely treatment. A color Doppler ultrasound or a routine blood test can be conducted. Conservative treatment can also be considered; if conservative treatment is not very effective, then surgical treatment may be considered.