Is there a swelling near your belly button? It could be an Umbilical Hernia!

Have you ever seen, in some small babies or adults, a small bulge that protrudes from the belly button, that is, the umbilicus? Sometimes you can even touch it. This is what we simply call (Umbilical Hernia). Although it can be a little scary to see, most of the time it is not that serious. However, it is best to show it to a doctor to know for sure. Simply put, this is when a part of the small intestine inside your abdomen, perhaps with fat or fluid, forms a small pouch and pushes out through the abdominal wall muscle. To be precise, this is where the umbilicus is located.

What are the symptoms of an Umbilical Hernia?

The symptoms are similar for both adults and children. The main thing is a soft, palpable swelling above or near the belly button. Some people have this swelling all the time. Others only have it when there is pressure on the abdomen. For example, you might notice it when you lift something heavy. For example, some newborns and young children may only notice this swelling when they cry.

Usually, young children do not experience pain in this. However, adults with an umbilical hernia may feel some discomfort, a feeling of tightness in the abdomen, or a dull ache or pressure.

However, if you experience these symptoms , you should be a little careful, as it could be an emergency :

• A sudden, severe pain in the stomach that gets worse and worse.
• If the swelling is red, dark in color (like purple), and feels hard to the touch.
• If there is blood in your stool.
• If you feel nauseous or vomit.

Why does this (Umbilical Hernia) occur?

The reasons are a little different for young children and adults.

Causes of Umbilical Hernia in Young Children

This happens to young children when the hole in their abdominal wall where the umbilical cord is attached – we call it the umbilical ring – doesn't close properly.

Think about it, when the baby is in the mother's womb, all the food and drink goes through this umbilical cord. After birth, this hole in the abdominal wall gradually starts to close. Usually, it closes completely by the age of 5. However, in the meantime, a hernia can come out through that hole. So, don't worry if you see something like this in your little one, most of the time it will heal on its own.

Causes of Umbilical Hernia in Adults

In adults, an umbilical hernia occurs when the abdominal wall muscles weaken as pressure inside the abdomen increases, causing parts of the small intestine and associated tissues to protrude through those weak points.

There are several risk factors that affect this:

• Gender: Women are more likely to develop an umbilical hernia than men.
• Obesity: This is common among overweight adults. That's why we say that controlling body weight helps prevent many diseases.
• Multiple births: This risk is higher for mothers who have given birth to multiple children, as pregnancy puts a lot of pressure on the abdominal muscles.
• Ascites: This hernia is more likely to develop when the abdomen is filled with fluid (ascites), especially due to conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver.
• Previous abdominal surgeries: If the muscle wall has been weakened due to abdominal surgeries, hernias can occur in those areas.

Can this (Umbilical Hernia) cause complications?

Yes, sometimes complications can arise. There are two main ones, and it's good to be a little aware of these:

• Incarcerated Hernia: This is when your small intestine gets trapped inside the hernia. This can cause problems like small bowel obstruction. Imagine, your intestines are not working properly, and food and drink are not moving down. This can cause stomach pain and vomiting.

• Strangulated Hernia: This is the most dangerous. The blood supply to the strangulated part of the intestine stops, and the tissue begins to die. This is a medical emergency. It needs to be treated quickly. If the tissue dies, it can be life-threatening.

The most important thing is that an umbilical hernia is usually not dangerous for babies. However, in adults, the risk of complications is higher. Therefore, it is very important that both you and your doctor are always aware of this hernia and start treatment at the right time to prevent it from getting worse.

How do you know if you have an Umbilical Hernia?

Most of the time, a doctor can tell if you have an umbilical hernia just by doing a physical exam. The doctor will look at your belly button and check for swelling, tenderness, and indentation. The doctor may also tell you to tighten your abdominal muscles, laugh, or cough, so that the swelling is more visible and palpable.

However, if you want to check for complications (such as intestinal obstruction), your doctor may order imaging tests to look inside your abdomen. The most common tests are an abdominal ultrasound or a CT scan. These tests can clearly see the organs inside your abdomen.

Does an Umbilical Hernia need treatment?

It depends on the condition of the hernia, your age, and whether you have other symptoms.

Young children often do not need treatment, because the hernia will heal on its own over time. More than 90% of young children with an umbilical hernia will heal by the age of 5. This means that the muscles around the belly button will strengthen and the hole will close. In the meantime, a doctor can manually push the hernia back in. We call hernias that can be repaired by pushing it in this way (reducible umbilical hernia).

But never try to push your child's hernia in. Even if you try to help, it could hurt the child. Things like this should only be done under the supervision of a doctor.

Surgery for Umbilical Hernia

If your child needs treatment, surgery is the only option. A child is more likely to need surgery if:

• If the hernia is incarcerated or the intestine is strangulated .
• If the hernia is larger than 2 centimeters (about ¾ inch) .
• If it's still there after 5 years , it means it's not closing on its own.
• If there is pain .

Most adults eventually need surgery because umbilical hernias in adults are more likely to worsen over time and develop complications. They are less likely to heal on their own.

In the operation to treat an umbilical hernia, the surgeon makes a small incision in the navel, goes to the hernia site, and puts the protruding tissue (such as parts of the intestine and fat) back into the abdomen. Then, the weak spot or hole in the abdominal wall is sewn up to strengthen it so that the tissue does not come out again. Sometimes, to strengthen this muscle wall, especially for large hernias, they use a special mesh called a surgical mesh. This mesh gives extra strength to the weak spot. This is usually a simple operation, and you don't have to stay in the hospital for long.

What is the future for someone with an Umbilical Hernia?

Umbilical Hernias generally have good outcomes. Most hernias that occur in childhood heal on their own over time. So, don't be unnecessarily alarmed if you see a small child with one. Umbilical hernia surgeries are also very successful, and the risk of a hernia recurring is low.

Can an Umbilical Hernia come back after one surgery?

It is possible for an umbilical hernia to come back after surgery, but it is very rare. Usually, if the surgery was successful, it doesn't. Ask your doctor what you can do to reduce the risk of a hernia coming back. Things like avoiding heavy lifting and controlling your weight may help.

Can an Umbilical Hernia be prevented?

There's really nothing you can do to prevent your child from getting an umbilical hernia. It's something to do with their body's development. Even adults can't always prevent it.

But as an adult, you can reduce your risk of developing a hernia by avoiding things that increase pressure inside your abdomen (such as frequent heavy lifting, sneezing, and constipation). You can also try to maintain a healthy weight for your body.

When should I see a doctor?

If you notice a lump in your groin area , be sure to see a doctor. Whether it's a small or large lump, it's a good idea to see a doctor for advice. Your doctor will examine your hernia and advise you whether it needs surgery or if you can wait it out for now. Your doctor will also explain to you that if you or your child has a hernia, you should seek medical advice immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Pain (in the case of a small baby, constant crying, refusal to eat, and fussiness can be signs of pain)
• If the swelling is getting bigger and bigger
• If you feel nauseous or vomit,
• If you have constipation
• If there is blood in the stool
• If the swelling feels hard to the touch, or if it has changed color (darkened, reddened, or turned purple)

Symptoms like these mean that the hernia may be incarcerated or have other complications.

What should I ask the doctor?

When you see your doctor, you can ask these questions so you can get a better understanding of the condition:

• How serious is my/my child's hernia?
• Does this need treatment (surgery) right away? Or can I wait a while?
• How often should I see a doctor to check my hernia?
• Do I need to change my daily activities or lifestyle to prevent complications? (e.g., lifting weights, exercising)
• What lifestyle changes should I make to prevent my hernia from getting worse or coming back after surgery?

So, what are the things we need to remember from this?

The severity of an Umbilical Hernia depends on who has it. Umbilical hernias are very common in young children, usually do not cause any problems, and get better on their own over time. Therefore, do not be unnecessarily alarmed if you see a child with this condition.

However, umbilical hernias in adults are considered to be a bit more risky. Even if the hernia is not a problem now, it can cause problems in the future. This is because hernias in adults rarely heal on their own. If a doctor thinks that complications are likely, it is best to perform hernia repair surgery to repair the hernia.

Therefore, if you or your child has a lump in the groin area, the most important thing is to see a doctor immediately and seek advice without fear or suspicion. Then you will receive the correct guidance you need.

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