Umbilical hernia


Can you massage your abdomen with an umbilical hernia?
You can rub the belly for umbilical hernia. An umbilical hernia is a hernia that protrudes through the navel, known as an umbilical hernia, which is more common in infants. Infant umbilical hernias tend to heal on their own, and most do not require surgical treatment. Adult umbilical hernias are more often related to increased abdominal pressure. Most infant umbilical hernias are due to congenital developmental defects, where the umbilical ring does not completely close, or the scar tissue at the navel is weak and not strong enough. Under conditions of increased abdominal pressure, the internal organs can protrude through the navel to form a hernia.


How to relieve pain from baby's umbilical hernia?
If the child exhibits symptoms of umbilical hernia pain, this condition can be treated conservatively. Normally, after birth, babies will experience minor umbilical hernias, which are a normal physiological reaction and do not require treatment. Generally, by the time the child reaches about two years old, the umbilical hernia will gradually resolve on its own. It is also essential to ensure that the child remains emotionally stable and does not frequently cry. If the hernia has not fully resolved after the age of two, some reparative methods should be used for treatment.


Can umbilical hernia cause intestinal bloating?
Umbilical hernia can cause intestinal bloating. When an umbilical hernia is not active, patients often show no obvious symptoms. However, because the hernia ring of an umbilical hernia is relatively small, the intestinal tract and omentum, which are herniated contents, can easily enter the hernia ring and protrude through the surface of the body. They are also difficult to retract, and there is even a possibility that the herniated contents become incarcerated. When the hernia acts up, it can easily affect the motility of the intestines, leading to the accumulation of gas and causing intestinal bloating. If an umbilical hernia frequently becomes active, surgical treatment is recommended to repair the hernia ring and prevent symptoms of the hernia from leading to intestinal bloating. It is necessary to avoid an umbilical hernia as much as possible in daily life and to prevent the intestinal bloating caused by it.


What medicine to take for umbilical hernia?
Umbilical hernia is fundamentally a surgical disease, and generally, oral medications do not have a corresponding treatment effect. Umbilical hernias mostly occur in infants or mid-aged women who have given birth. Typically, infant umbilical hernias are due to incomplete closure of the umbilical ring or insufficiently strong scar tissue at the navel. When the child cries or engages in vigorous activities, a reducible hernia is likely to form, rarely causing incarceration or strangulation. In adults, umbilical hernias are mostly seen in middle-aged women who have given birth. Pregnant women with abdominal ascites or obesity are also prone to developing umbilical hernias, which are more likely to become incarcerated. In the treatment of umbilical hernias, children under the age of two can generally be monitored with follow-ups. A coin or cardboard larger than the umbilical ring can be used, wrapped and held against the umbilical ring, and fixed with adhesive tape, with most cases resolving spontaneously. For adults with umbilical hernias, surgery is usually recommended as soon as possible.


Can babies with umbilical hernias take baths?
Infant umbilical hernia is a congenital developmental disorder caused by a weak abdominal wall at the navel present from birth, which especially tends to bulge when intra-abdominal pressure increases. Of course, bathing is permissible as long as there is no local skin infection around the hernia; there are no issues with bathing otherwise. However, if there is local skin infection or damage at the hernia site, caution should be taken during bathing to disinfect properly and avoid irritating the wound, which could worsen the symptoms. Indeed, over 80% of umbilical hernias can heal naturally before the age of two as the child grows and develops. Only a small fraction of children, whose hernia ring diameter is larger than 2 cm or who still have a noticeable umbilical hernia after the age of two, require surgical treatment.


Does infant umbilical hernia affect bowel movements?
Infant umbilical hernia is caused by a congenital weakness in the abdominal wall at the navel, which leads to the protrusion of the umbilicus, typically occurring when there is an increase in abdominal pressure. When it protrudes, it may slightly affect bowel movements. If an umbilical hernia becomes incarcerated, it can lead to intestinal obstruction and prevent the passing of stool. In such cases, steps should be taken to reduce the hernia. If conventional measures fail, it is necessary to seek medical attention at a hospital, specifically from a pediatric surgery emergency department, to address the issue. Otherwise, it could lead to serious digestive tract problems. Normally, an umbilical hernia does not affect bowel movements. However, it is also important to prevent children from crying intensely and for prolonged periods, and actively treat any indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation to prevent increased abdominal and intra-abdominal pressure, which can lead to the protrusion affecting the natural closure of the child's umbilical hernia.


"Measures for handling umbilical hernia in infants"
Infant umbilical hernia occurs due to a weak abdominal wall in the navel area and incomplete prenatal development. It generally poses no significant harm, but measures should be taken to prevent frequent protrusion of the hernia. It is usually advisable to avoid excessive crying and prolonged episodes of crying in children, and to actively prevent and treat digestive system diseases in children to reduce the chance of increased gas in the gastrointestinal tract and increased abdominal pressure, which can lead to protrusion of the navel and discomfort for the child. Therefore, in over 80% of children with umbilical hernias, the hernia ring will gradually narrow and shrink as the child grows and develops physically, achieving healing by the age of two. Only less than 20% of children, particularly those with a hernia ring diameter greater than 2cm, or who clearly have an umbilical hernia at the age of two, will require surgical treatment.


Can umbilical hernia be vaccinated against?
After the birth of a child, it is necessary to vaccinate on schedule. There are some situations where vaccination is not possible. When a child has an umbilical hernia, it means that there is a protrusion at the navel, with abdominal contents pushing through a weak spot around the navel, forming an umbilical hernia. Umbilical hernias in children do not affect the vaccination of various vaccines, so parents can take their children to the local vaccination department to get vaccinated on schedule. At the same time, try to avoid letting the child cry loudly, as most umbilical hernias in children can heal by themselves within two years. Only more severe umbilical hernias may require surgical treatment. Therefore, parents can rest assured and take their children for vaccinations on time, as the umbilical hernia does not affect vaccination.


Early symptoms and manifestations of umbilical hernia
Umbilical hernia is a common umbilical disease, characterized by the hernial sac protruding through the umbilical ring. This condition has a higher incidence rate in infants. As infants grow older, most cases can be resolved, but a few children may require surgical intervention. Early signs of umbilical hernia include a soft bulge and protrusion at the navel. The protrusion at the umbilical area may increase when the infant cries, coughs, defecates, or struggles due to increased abdominal pressure, and it can decrease or disappear when the infant is calm and asleep. However, if the child experiences severe abdominal pain or vomiting, this could be an indication of incarcerated umbilical hernia, and it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately.


Will infant umbilical hernia gradually improve?
Umbilical hernias in infants are very likely to heal naturally, as more than 80% of infantile umbilical hernias will gradually reduce in size and possibly even close as the child grows older and their physique develops. Normally, it is only necessary to ensure that the child does not cry intensely for long periods, to promptly treat any digestive system disorders in the child to prevent increased abdominal pressure which can cause frequent protrusion of the hernia and affect its healing. Only a small portion of children require surgical treatment, usually those with a relatively large hernia ring diameter, especially those larger than 2 cm, and children over two years old who still have a very obvious umbilical hernia.