Does An Umbilical Hernia Need Treatment
An umbilical hernia may not need any treatment. If it does, surgery can repair it.
Most of the time in more than 90% of cases umbilical hernias heal on their own by the time a child is three or four years old. Your healthcare provider will likely recommend waiting until that age to do surgery.
Your child is more likely to need surgery if the hernia is:
- Larger than two centimeters, around ¾ inch.
Larger and incarcerated hernias are less likely to heal on their own and will probably need hernia repair surgery.
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Hernia Pain And Potential Complications
If you have a hernia, you know the pain and discomfort. The look of a hernia can also be disquieting. But you dont have to live with it, and you can enjoy life again.
The symptoms that lead most people to the doctor, and eventually a hernia diagnosis, typically include pain in the abdomen, particularly in the groin area. The pain tends to get worse if you sneeze, cough, lift something heavy or strain.
But different types of hernia can cause other symptoms. For example, the most common kind of hernia is inguinal, which happens when your intestine bulges through a weak spot in the muscle that usually holds it all in.
Symptoms of inguinal hernia include:
- a bulge that can ache or burn in the area that hurts if you push on the bulge while laying down, you can usually make it go away
- bending over, coughing and lifting cause pain in the area
- your abdomen can feel heavy and weak or you can even feel pressure
- you might also experience nausea
- men might also feel pain or swelling in the testicles
Generally, hernias arent life threatening, but you can develop serious complications. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should speak with your medical provider right away:
- sudden pain that gets worse quickly
- nausea and vomiting
- discoloration of your hernia bulge, especially red, purple or a general darkening
- constipation or the inability to pass gas
How To Tell If You Have A Hernia
Wondering if the aching in your belly or groin could be a hernia? Hernias are common in both men and women, but symptoms vary. Groin hernias are much less common in women. Hernias may cause some form of discomfort and dont go away on their own, says Gina Adrales, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine.
The good news? Nearly all hernias can be surgically repaired. Adrales explains how to recognize hernia signs in men and women, the most common types, and what surgery and recovery are like.
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Washington University Hernia Surgeons
The team of Washington University hernia surgeons, including Holden, are highly trained in the most advanced techniques for hernia repair. They see patients at the Center for Advanced Medicine, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital and Christian Hospital. Minimally invasive and cardiothoracic surgeons provide expert laparoscopic surgical care for patients with hernias.
For more information about hernia surgery or to make an appointment with Holden at the Center for Advanced Medicine or Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, please call 314-454-8877.
For more information or to make an appointment at Christian Hospital, visit the Christian Hospital website or call 314-747-9355.
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Should I Get A Lawyer If My Hernia Device Failed
You are not responsible for medical device failure, especially if it was due to a defect. The manufacturers of defective medical products are typically responsible parties.
Your surgeon may also be to blame if he/she implanted the device wrong or made mistakes during your revision surgery. In fact, many surgeons lack the training to do a successful revision surgery.
Through your personal injury attorney, you can file a claim or lawsuit to obtain compensation for any and all damages you suffered. Most law firms offer free consultations and free case evaluations.
References
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Types Of Pediatric Hernias
Hernias occur when part of an organ or other bodily tissue is pushed through a hole in the muscle that is supposed to contain it.
There are two main types we see in children: umbilical and inguinal. Umbilical hernias are found around the navel and inguinal hernias are found in or around the groin, Scheidler said.
Both types can be retractable, meaning that they only appear during times of muscle strain, before slipping back into place. But umbilical hernias are more likely to correct themselves as infants grow and strengthen in their first two years, while inguinal hernias tend to be the main source of complications and require surgery once theyre discovered.
The British Hernia Centre reports that 3 to 5 percent of all healthy, full-term babies are born with inguinal hernias, and up to 30 percent of all premature babies are born with the same condition. The incidence rate also is much higher for male infants, with boys accounting for 80 to 90 percent of cases.
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How Is An Umbilical Hernia Diagnosed
Your childs healthcare provider will examine your child and feel his abdomen. This is often all that is needed to diagnose the hernia. An ultrasound may be needed in rare cases when the diagnosis is hard to make by exam alone. An ultrasound may show the tissue or organ that is contained within the hernia.
What Are Umbilical Hernia Causes In Adults
Causes of umbilical hernia in adults are:
- Being obese and overweight causes strain on an abdominal muscle.
- Weak muscles around the belly button. People with 60+ age group gets hernia cause of weakened muscles.
- Genetics. An individual having a family history of an umbilical hernia is more prone to this condition.
- Multiple pregnancies
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Is Bloating Really A Big Deal
If youre debating whether bloating is really such a big deal, consider these statistics:
- Abdominal bloating is reported in up to 76% of those suffering from functional gastrointestinal disorders.
- 75% of those who report bloating are visibly distended and/or report their symptoms as severe or moderate.
- 54% of those with bloating report that the symptoms affect their quality of life.
- 43% of those with bloating report taking medications as an attempt to control the symptoms.
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The Umbilical Hernia In Adults In A Nutshell
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La umbilical hernia is one of abdominal hernias. The latter are characterized by the protuberance of the peritoneum which comes out of a weak point of the abdominal wall.
There are 3 forms:
- a incisional hernia: the bulge is located at the level of a scar resulting from an operation
- a epigastric hernia: the protrusion is on the midline of the upper abdomen
- a umbilical hernia: the eminence is located at the level of the navel.
So, the umbilical hernia results in the exit of the elements of the abdomen through the umbilicus or the navel. It can be the peritoneum, fatty deposits, even portions of the intestines or the colon…
This type of abdominal hernia is uncommon in adults. It mainly affects babies, we speak of “herniated disc infant“. If among the latter, little boys are the most affected, among adults, it is rather women.
La umbilical hernia in adults may be due to:
- a significant increase in weight, especially in cases of obesity or multiple pregnancies.
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Signs That You Or A Loved One Might Have A Hernia
- A bulge in the groin or scrotum, or swelling in the scrotum
- Discomfort in the groin that gets worse when you bend or lift something
- Heaviness in the groin or abdomen
- Pain or discomfort during a bowel movement or urination
- Pain or discomfort toward the end of the day, particularly if you were standing a lot
- Any symptoms of a strangulated hernia, which include fever, vomiting, nausea and severe cramping
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I Think I Have A Hernia What Now
If you are experiencing symptoms of a hernia, schedule an appointment with one of our hernia specialists at the Hernia Center of NGMC. While effective treatment will almost always require surgery, hernia repair surgery is typically highly successful and choosing the right hernia doctor can help you avoid hernia recurrence and other complications. The Hernia Center is Georgias first accredited Hernia Surgery Center of Excellence and offers you access to the most advanced robotic and minimally invasive surgical techniques for hernia repair.
Our experienced surgeons have performed nearly 6,000 minimally invasivehernia repairs and more than 1,500 robotic hernia repairsusing the da Vinci surgical system.Learn more about the Hernia Center of Northeast Georgia Medical Center or call 770-282-8956 to speak to our care team about questions or to schedule an appointment.
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Be Patient If You Cant Immediately Have A Bowel Movement
It is a very frustrating feeling whenever you are constipated, and it is even worse when you are recovering from hernia surgery and constipated. That is why the best advice we can give is to try and prevent constipation before it begins. Make sure you are eating fiber-rich foods and drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to your surgery, and continue to do so after your surgery. Also, talk with your surgeon about taking a stool softener after surgery. They should be fine with this and if so, it can go a long way in preventing constipation. If you do get constipated, do not try and strain to have a bowel movement though as this could do damage to your recently repaired hernia. Do your best to relax, try some of these tips and hopefully you will be able to have a bowel movement soon after.
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How Are Umbilical And Epigastric Hernias Diagnosed
Your doctor will review your medical and surgical history and then carefully examine your abdominal area. You will likely be asked to stand and cough so the doctor can see or feel a bulge that indicates a hernia.
If you have an umbilical or epigastric hernia, your doctor will often order imaging tests, such as:
- Computed tomography scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging scans
These scans will help your doctor determine your hernia’s location and help determine the surgical strategy.
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Difference Between Spinal Hernia And Abdominal Hernia
The term spinal hernia is also known as a herniated disc, prolapseddisc, ruptured disc, and slipped disc.
An individual may experience this condition when the gel-likesubstance inside the discs that pad between every single one of the bones in thevertebrae starts to press out the surface through a debilitated region of the discsexternal band.
Since the spinal canal is thin,a spinal nerve is often strained by the slipped disc leading to pain in theback. At times, an individual may experience numbness and tingling.
A herniated disc is similar on a basic level to an abdominalhernia. In both conditions, something inside is attempting to get out, leadingto pain. In any case, the area of these conditions varies, thus does the matterthat is attempting to move beyond its standard limits.
Whereas an abdominal hernia is a lump or swelling inthe abdominal cavity that pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall andforms a lump or bulge.
However, in a herniated disc condition, that jelly-likesubstance in the center of the disc presses out through a weak spot or rupture inthe extreme external edge of the disc. It can develop in any section of any discof the spine.
Generally, it is found in the lower back and if it doesnt putpressure on a nerve then an individual may encounter gentle lower back pain.
Then an individual may need to prepare for some pain and irritation that transmit from the lower back to the hips, legs, and calves. This transmitting pain is called radiculopathy.
Umbilical Hernia In Adults Symptoms
An umbilical hernia in adults sounds like someone forgot to do something at the hospital before your proud mom and pop took you home when you were just a day or two old. Such is not the case for an umbilical hernia has less to do with your birth date and usually more to do with your lifestyle.
Does your belly button have a belly button? If so, it just might be a tiny piece of your intestine that is sticking out in between your 6 pack abs. This lump may come and go depending on how your body is moving at the time. An umbilical hernia in adults can also cause abdominal pain and stomach pain and bloating. Unlike adults, the symptoms are a bit easier to point out in cases of pediatric hernia, such as vomiting in infants and discoloration of the escaping gut nugget. In small children however unlike adults, the umbilical hernias usually resolve themselves in a couple of years.
Because a bloated stomach causes discomfort on its own, an umbilical hernia in adults can be quite painful. Bowel movements and coughing exacerbate already present symptoms and in the event of a strangulated hernia, not only is the symptomatic pain persistent, the situation must be treated immediately with surgery as risk for peritonitis, a severe infection, is greatly increased.
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Repairing An Umbilical Hernia
An umbilical hernia repair is a relatively simple procedure that normally takes about 20 to 30 minutes. General anaesthetic is usually used so there’s no pain while the operation is carried out.
In children, the weak spot in the abdominal wall is usually closed with stitches. If the hernia is large or in adults, a special mesh may be used to strengthen the area instead.
You or your child should be able to go home on the same day as the operation. You may feel a bit sore and uncomfortable while you recover.
Yo may need to limit strenuous activities for a few weeks after the operation, and taking some time off school or work is often recommended. Most people are able to return to all their normal activities within 2 weeks of surgery.
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Umbilical Hernia In Adults: Consequences And Prognosis
Article reviewed and approved by Dr. Ibtissama Boukas, physician specializing in family medicine
An hernia designates an eminence of an organ or part of an organ emerging from the cavity which normally contains it. There are different kinds of hernias, the best known of which are the cervical disc herniation et la lumbar disc herniation. However, this eminence can be located on other parts of the body. It can form in the diaphragm, groin or the abdominal wall. In this article, we present to you the umbilical hernia in adults.
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What Does The Operation Involve
The operation is usually performed under a general anaesthetic but various anaesthetic techniques are possible.
The operation usually takes about 30 minutes. Your surgeon will make a cut over the hernia and free up the hernial sac.
If only fat is pushing through, your surgeon will either remove the fat or push it back. If contents of your abdomen are also pushing through, they will place the contents back inside your abdomen.
Your surgeon will remove the hernial sac and close the weak spot with strong stitches or a synthetic mesh.
What Else Can Be Mistaken For A Hernia
While a hernia is the cause for most people who experience lumps in their abdomen, there are several other possibilities such as a hematoma, lipoma, a gynecological issue in women, or an undescended testicle in newborn boys. In rare cases, a lump may indicate a tumor. Its important to seek medical care if you see or feel a lump that you cant identify, or if youre experiencing other hernia symptoms.
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What Is A Hernia
If you noticed a sudden pain in the groin or a sensation as if something had torn, you may be right. A hernia is a weakness or tear in the abdominal muscle wall, which normally holds the inner lining of the abdomen and internal organs in place . The weakness or tear allows the inner lining to protrude and form a pouch. The bulge you might see is usually a loop of intestine protruding through the tear in the muscle and into that pouch.
Contrary to popular myth , you didnt cause your hernia. Most people are born with a weakness in the muscle, which eventually gives way, or an opening that didnt close up before birth.
When To See Your Doctor Pre
When a baby has an umbilical hernia, it may not be noticeable except when the baby is upset, crying, or coughing. If you happen to see a bulge in the babys navel area and it only appears when your child cries or coughs, speak to the childs pediatrician about it.
Likewise, as an adult, if you feel a bulge in the navel area, but it is not painful or associated with any other problem, speak to your physician about it. There is no need to make an immediate appointment.
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