Umbilical hernia in adults

An umbilical hernia is one of the possible types of hernia that occurs when part of the internal organs protrude under the skin due to the weakness of the tissues in the cavity surrounding them. In an adult umbilical hernia situation, abdominal fat or part of the intestine passes into the area under the skin through the area around the navel

Umbilical hernias are not always obvious, and the person may have been living with them for some time. However, umbilical hernias can threaten health in case of complications. If a person notices a bulge at the belly button when they cough, bend over, or pick up objects, they may have an umbilical hernia.

What is an umbilical hernia

A herniated umbilical ring is a pathological condition in which tissue, such as the intestines, protrudes through weakened muscles around the navel (called the umbilical ring). This condition is most common in infants. There is a small hole in the abdominal muscles of the baby, formed due to the passage of the umbilical cord in the womb. When a baby is born, the abdominal muscles must fuse together, and if they don’t fuse completely, tissue can protrude through the hole.

To a lesser extent, umbilical hernias are also found in adults. But when it happens to an adult, the condition may be a medical emergency.

Symptoms of an umbilical hernia in adults

Most often, these types of hernias occur in overweight patients or among women who have given birth. If a hernia is small, it likely won’t cause much pain, but if or when it gets larger, it can cause more symptoms than just discomfort and cosmetic damage.

An umbilical hernia has a number of symptoms:

• a bulge inside or around the navel (often most noticeable when coughing or straining)
• pain at the site of the hernia;
• constipation;
• sharp pain inside the abdominal cavity with severe vomiting may mean that the hernia is strangulated;
• abdominal discomfort;
• pressure in the lower abdomen;
• loss of appetite.

Important! If you experience these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention as surgery may be required.

Causes of umbilical hernia in adults

Pathology develops due to the weakness of the abdominal wall, mainly around the navel. If the opening that the umbilical cord passes through during pregnancy does not close properly after childbirth, it can cause a hernia either at birth or later in life.

In adults, too much pressure in the abdomen can increase the chance of an umbilical hernia.

Risk factors:

• persistent or intermittent increased pressure in the abdominal cavity;
• obesity;
• ascites or fluid in the abdomen;
• multiple pregnancies;
• previous abdominal surgery;
• chronic peritoneal dialysis;
• high work activity, for example, lifting and carrying heavy loads;
• chronic cough.

This type of hernia is more common in adult women than in adult men.

Treatment of umbilical hernia in adults

In most adults, umbilical hernias are treated with surgery to push the abdominal tissue back into place and close the abdominal wall.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of a hernia is made after a doctor’s examination and palpation of the umbilical region. In obese people, ultrasound or CT may be required to clarify the severity of the pathology.

Modern treatments

There are two main types of treatment for umbilical hernias: surgical treatment and non-surgical treatment. Choosing the right treatment depends largely on the age and severity of the umbilical hernia. The surgeon can recommend the best treatment for your needs.

Surgical treatment of umbilical hernia. Surgical treatment or surgical intervention is the most common way to treat umbilical hernias. Two main types of treatment are used:

• Open hernioplasty (open umbilical hernia repair) is the most common surgical treatment for umbilical hernia. In an open hernioplasty, an incision is made near the site of the hernia. The surgeon will then restore tissue integrity with mesh or suturing the muscle layer to prevent the intestines from entering the muscle tissue.
• Laparoscopic hernia repair – with laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair, a series of small incisions are made next to the hernia. A tiny camera called a laparoscope is then inserted to help the surgeon see the hernia. The doctor will repair the tissue using mesh or stitching the muscle layer to keep the intestines from getting into the muscle tissue.

Non-surgical treatment. More commonly used in children. Many umbilical hernias in children go away on their own within the first 2 years of life. In these cases, the hernia will be carefully controlled unless surgery is needed. Non-surgical treatment in adults is usually not recommended due to the high risk of serious complications.

If the hernia is not bothersome or painful, you may not need treatment—at least not right away.

Prevention of umbilical hernia in adults at home

There is little that can be done to prevent an umbilical hernia at birth, however there are certain risk factors for adults. Anything that increases abdominal pressure, such as obesity, straining when moving or lifting heavy objects, persistent severe coughing, ascites (abdominal fluid), and multiple pregnancies (such as twins, triplets, etc.) can increase the risk of umbilical hernia. These risk factors must be excluded.

Popular questions and answers

We asked questions regarding the development of hernias and their treatment, symptoms therapist, gastroenterologist Vera Samsonova.