Umbilical hernia is a type of hernia that occurs when a section of the small intestine, fatty tissue or fluid bulges through a weakened area or hole in the abdominal muscles around the belly button. This condition is more common in infants, but it can also affect adults.
Symptoms
- A soft bulge or swelling near the belly button, which can be pushed in or out
- Pain or discomfort when lifting objects, coughing or straining
- Nausea or vomiting (in severe cases)
- Redness, tenderness or inflammation around the bulge
Causes
- Congenital weakness in the abdominal muscles around the belly button (in infants)
- Previous abdominal surgery or injury
- Pregnancy, obesity, chronic cough or constipation (in adults)
- Connective tissue disorders or conditions that increase abdominal pressure (e.g. ascites, peritoneal dialysis)
Risk factors
- Infancy (common in premature babies)
- Obesity or overweight
- Multiple pregnancies
- Family history of hernias
- Chronic lung disease or respiratory problems
Associated conditions
- Inguinal hernia
- Ventral hernia
- Hiatal hernia
- Incisional hernia
Diagnosis
- Physical examination
- Ultrasound, CT scan or MRI
- Blood tests (to rule out infection)
Differential diagnosis
- Lipoma (fatty tissue tumor)
- Epigastric hernia (above the belly button)
- Spigelian hernia (lower abdominal wall)
- Incisional hernia (previous surgical incision)
Treatment options
- Observation and monitoring (for small, painless hernias)
- Surgical repair (for larger or painful hernias)
- Laparoscopic or open surgery
- Umbilical herniorrhaphy (hernia repair with mesh)
Typical recovery timeframes
- Recovery after umbilical hernia repair usually takes 2-4 weeks
- Pain and discomfort can be managed with medication
- Physical activity should be limited during recovery
- Patients can return to work and normal activities within 2-3 weeks (depending on the type of surgery)
Prognosis
- Umbilical hernia repair has a high success rate
- Recurrence rate is low
- Complications, such as infection or bowel obstruction, are rare