Why does umbilical hernia hurt

A hernia is a gap in the muscle layer of the abdomen which can allow the omentum or some bowel to poke through it, making a swelling under the skin. Sometimes, the skin can stretch up quite dramatically, but the hernia will not break through. Most of the time, the discomfort is because of the stretch on the muscles.

If it has become uncomfortable, take a few minutes to lie down in a comfortable place and relax. Gently massage the soft lump to encourage it to slip back behind the muscles, into the abdominal cavity. If it remains painful, seek medical advice: if the pain is severe, you may need to go to an Emergency Department, but usually it can wait for a more convenient review by your General Practitioner.

Umbilical hernias generally remain comfortable if they are not growing larger, and if they are not blocking your bowel. Under the skin, if we looked at its profile, we could see the contents of the abdomen poking through the muscles something like this.

Although the lump under the skin can be quite large, the gap in the muscle, shown here in pink, is usually quite small. Umbilical hernias are very common in infants and young children, particularly in babies born prematurely. It may get bigger when laughing, coughing, crying or going to the toilet and may shrink when relaxing or lying down.

In many cases, the umbilical hernia goes back in and the muscles reseal before the child's first birthday. Umbilical hernias can also develop in adults. Without treatment, the hernia will probably get worse over time. During pregnancy, the umbilical cord passes through an opening in the baby's abdomen tummy. This opening should close shortly after birth, but in some cases the muscles don't seal completely. Umbilical hernias are common in young infants, but the exact rate is not known because many cases go unreported and resolve themselves without the need for treatment.

They are particularly common in infants born preterm. Up to 75 percent of newborns with a birth weight of less than 1. While the developing fetus is in the womb, the umbilical cord passes through an opening in the abdominal wall.

This should close soon after birth. However, the muscles do not always seal completely, leaving a weak spot through which an umbilical hernia can push. In most cases, an umbilical hernia experienced by an infant closes on its own by the age of 3 to 4 years. If a hernia is still present by the time the child is 4 years old, a doctor may recommend surgery. Umbilical hernias can also develop in adults, especially if they are clinically overweight, lifting heavy objects, or have a persistent cough.

Women who have had multiple pregnancies have a higher risk of developing an umbilical hernia. In adults, hernias are much more common in females. Among infants, the risk is about the same for males and females. An umbilical hernia looks like a lump in the navel.

It might become more obvious when the infant is laughing, crying, going to the toilet, or coughing. When the child is lying down or relaxed, the lump may shrink. It is not usually painful in children and infants. However, adults may feel pain or discomfort if a hernia is large. Infants : As the fetus develops in the womb, a small opening forms in the abdominal muscles. This opening allows the umbilical cord to pass through. However, umbilical hernias can threaten your overall health when complications occur.

If you notice a bulge in your belly button when you cough, bend or lift objects, you may have an umbilical hernia. An umbilical hernia is a type of hernia where intra-abdominal contents usually fat but occasionally intestine protrude through a defect in the abdominal muscles where the umbilical cord once passed.

Umbilical hernias are most commonly found in infants, but they can also be found in adults. In adults umbilical hernias are most common in overweight patients or in women who have given birth. There are two primary types of treatments for umbilical hernias: surgical treatment and non-surgical treatment.

The right type of treatment is largely dependent on your age and the severity of your umbilical hernia. Your surgeon can make a recommendation for the best treatment for your needs.

Surgical treatment or surgical repair is the most common way to address umbilical hernias.