If it is left untreated, a strangulated hernia can lead to life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis (severe inflammation of intestine) and sepsis. Since hernias can happen to anyone at any age, knowing warning signs of hernias and being aware of them are essential.
Your hernia may get worse, but it may not. Over time, hernias tend to get bigger as the muscle wall of the belly gets weaker and more tissue bulges through. But some small, painless hernias never need repair.
Most patients with umbilical hernias first notice a belly button bulge or discomfort. Over time these hernias can get larger and more uncomfortable as the hernia sac gets pushed out from inside the abdomen. Like other hernias, an umbilical hernia in an adult will not go away or get better without treatment.
Umbilical hernias are common in babies, but these usually go away on their own without needing any treatment. If the hernia doesn't go away, a child may need surgery. If you have an umbilical hernia as an adult, a piece of your bowel may get stuck in the hernia. This is called a strangulated hernia.
Waiting to cure an umbilical hernia is not recommended except for a very small hernia. The abdominal muscles weaken with age. Therefore, the hernia also increases in size.
Talk with your doctor if you have a bulge near your navel. Seek emergency care if the bulge becomes painful or tender. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications.
sudden pain that gets worse quickly. nausea and vomiting. fever. discoloration of your hernia bulge, especially red, purple or a general darkening.
Key points to remember
There is a good chance that your child's umbilical hernia will close on its own. Most of the time, a hernia that starts before 6 months of age will go away by 1 year of age. Your child may need surgery if the hernia is very large or if a hernia of any size has not gone away by age 5.
Umbilical hernias can also develop in adults. Without treatment, the hernia will probably get worse over time.
Most umbilical hernias are nothing to worry about, and go away without medical treatment by the time a child is 4–5 years old. Surgery is done only if: the hernia doesn't close by age 4 or 5. the hernia becomes incarcerated (can't be easily reduced)
Serious Symptoms
While most umbilical hernias are not a medical emergency, certain symptoms in babies and adults could mean a hernia is strangulated. This means the blood supply gets cut off to an organ that has pushed through the bellybutton or navel. Strangulated hernias may require emergency surgery to repair.
A bulge in the belly button or surrounding region (often most visible when coughing or straining) Pain at the hernia site. Constipation. Sharp abdominal pain and vomiting can mean the hernia is strangulated (note: if you are experiencing these symptoms please seek immediate medical attention as surgery may be required) ...
Most inguinal hernias can be pushed back into the belly with gentle massage and pressure. An inguinal hernia will not heal on its own. If you have symptoms, or the hernia is growing, you may need surgery.
Umbilical hernia repair is a fairly quick and simple operation. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes and it's usually possible to go home on the same day. However, some people stay in hospital overnight if they have other medical problems or if they live alone.
A hernia usually does not go away without surgery. Non-surgical approaches such as wearing a corset, binder, or truss may exert gentle pressure on the hernia and keep it in place. These methods may ease the pain or discomfort and may be used if you are not fit for the surgery or awaiting surgery.
A sudden increase in intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing, vomiting, gastroscopy or, as in this case, straining for stool can cause rupture of an umbilical hernia.
The intestine can quickly become necrotic if not repaired, which requires surgical removal of the affected intestine. Symptoms of a strangulated umbilical hernia include: Abdominal pain and tenderness. Constipation.
Vomiting and/or constipation may be signs of a more serious condition called a strangulated umbilical hernia. This occurs when the intestine has significantly protruded into the bulge and blood circulation is restricted. Strangulated umbilical hernias may need immediate medical attention.
Untreated hernias may not only keep increasing in size but may also become harder to manage, more uncomfortable, more painful, and in worst case scenarios, life-threatening.
An umbilical hernia occurs when part of the bowel or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, near the navel. Often, it is not serious, but a person should see a doctor if it causes pain and swelling or does not disappear under light pressure.
Umbilical hernias are common and come in many sizes ranging from small (less than 1 cm) to medium (1 cm to 3 cm) to large (greater than 3cm).
Umbilical hernia is a common finding in many cases, posing potentially life-threatening complications, such as incarceration or strangulation. The presence of malignancy in hernia sacs is, however, rather rare.
Is umbilical hernia repair major surgery? An umbilical hernia repair is a relatively routine surgery and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. It can be performed as an open surgery or a minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.
Umbilical hernias can be directly under the belly button, or sometimes slightly above or below it. They can look like a small marble under the skin, or as they get larger they can look like a golf ball and sometimes a tennis ball if left untreated.