Umbilical Hernia Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Hernia is a condition where there is a part of the body that is pushed out through a weakness in the muscles or surrounding tissue. Meanwhile, an umbilical hernia is a hernia that is found in the navel (umbilical) area.
The umbilical cord is the organ that connects the mother and the fetus. This organ works to distribute food from the mother to the fetus. Usually, these body parts or openings will be closed after the baby is born.
In an umbilical hernia, the opening doesn’t close completely and makes the navel and intestine stick out. This condition is usually painless, both in the navel and the area around the navel.
In some cases, an umbilical hernia can retract and close. This condition is commonly experienced in children under one year old. However, it can also appear in adults.
Symptoms
Some of the common symptoms found in people with umbilical hernias include:
- There is a lump in the navel area. Generally seen when the child cries, laughs, or strains. These lumps can disappear if the child is calm.
- Sign of a more serious condition. The child looks in pain, vomits, the lump looks swollen or changes color. This could indicate a blockage.
Reason
Umbilical hernias are related to the baby’s umbilical cord. During pregnancy, the baby will receive nutrition from the mother through the umbilical cord. In a baby’s body, the umbilical cord passes through an opening in the abdominal muscles.
Supposedly, this opening closes immediately after the baby is born. If this opening does not close completely and causes weakness of the abdominal muscles, intestines, and surrounding tissue can bulge out. This is what is called an umbilical hernia.
This condition is often found in infants and children, but can also appear as adults. In infants, the risk factors are African-American race, premature babies, and low birth weight.
In adults, umbilical hernias can occur due to high abdominal pressure in areas of muscle weakness and can be caused by obesity. In addition, repeated pregnancies, multiple pregnancies, fluid in the abdomen, abdominal surgery, and chronic cough can cause umbilical hernias.
Diagnosis
In the diagnosis process, the doctor will do a detailed history or interview regarding the symptoms you are feeling. On physical examination, it can be seen whether the hernia can reenter the abdominal cavity.
An examination is also carried out to assess the presence of a blockage in the intestine that is being pushed out. Blockages can cause complications such as infarction in the intestinal area due to lack of blood supply.
Investigations that can be done include X-rays and ultrasound. The goal is to help assess the state of the hernia.
Treatment
In most cases, an umbilical hernia will get better on its own. If it does not improve, then surgery can be done. Signs that surgery needs to be done are:
- pain occurs
- large hernias (>3.8 cm in diameter)
- does not decrease after the child is one year old
- does not disappear after the child is 3 or 4 years old
- there is a sign of a blockage