Can an umbilical hernia cause diarrhea?

Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Umbilical hernias rarely cause diarrhea in patients. An umbilical hernia mainly occurs because the umbilical ring is not completely closed, allowing parts of the small intestine or omentum to enter under the skin at the belly button, forming a noticeable bulge. The most common symptom caused by umbilical hernias is intestinal obstruction, which presents as abdominal pain. This mainly occurs when the small intestine becomes trapped in the umbilical ring and cannot easily retract, which rarely leads to symptoms of diarrhea. If a patient experiences diarrhea, further medical examination at a hospital is necessary to determine if it is caused by other reasons.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Does an infant umbilical hernia require surgery?

Umbilical hernias in infants do not always require surgery; only a small portion necessitates it. Surgery is needed mainly if the child is over two years old and still has a noticeable umbilical hernia, or if the hernia's ring diameter exceeds 2 cm. In these cases, the chances of natural healing are slim, and surgical intervention to remove the hernia sac and repair the abdominal wall defect may be necessary. In other cases, 80% of umbilical hernias can heal by the age of two as the abdominal muscles strengthen and develop with age, often causing the hernia ring to narrow and close on its own, achieving healing without any additional treatment. The previously used method of compressing the hernia with a hernia belt has been proven ineffective and is no longer employed.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Can sheath effusion be treated with an umbilical hernia belt?

Can a hernia belt be used for hydrocele? Basically, a hernia belt is of no use for hydrocele. First, you need to understand the difference between hydrocele and hernia. What is a hernia? A hernia occurs when there's a hole in the groin area through which abdominal organs such as the omentum, intestines, and abdominal fluids can leak into the scrotum. By simply covering this hole, the descent of these abdominal contents can be prevented, which is the function of a hernia belt. What about hydrocele? It occurs when the processus vaginalis does not close properly or at all. Usually, it's still small enough that only abdominal fluids can leak into the scrotum, but larger organs like the intestines cannot descend. Therefore, using a hernia belt is ineffective for a hydrocele because there's no hole in the groin area that needs covering or blocking. Hence, a hernia belt is useless for hydrocele.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Does infant umbilical hernia need to be treated?

Over 80% of infant umbilical hernias can heal before the age of two because, as the child grows older, the abdominal muscles gradually develop. The umbilical ring often progressively narrows and closes, so no treatment is actually needed. However, it is usually advisable to prevent the child from crying excessively and to treat any gastroenteric colds and indigestion actively and effectively, to avoid repetitive protrusion of the hernia. If the child still has a noticeable umbilical hernia after the age of two, or if the diameter of the hernia ring exceeds 2cm, it is usually difficult to heal naturally. Surgery might be required, typically involving the removal of the hernia sac and repair of the abdominal wall defect.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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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.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What should I do about my baby's umbilical hernia?

If your baby has an umbilical hernia, there is no need to panic. Generally speaking, this hernia occurs because the area around the baby's navel is not fully developed, leading to the hernia. It usually becomes more noticeable after crying - clearly protruding, but it can retract after resting. Typically, between one to two years old, the hernia may resolve by itself, so there's no need for special treatment. If you feel compelled to do something, you can buy a belt at a maternity and baby store and place a coin or another hard, flat object beneath it to press down on the navel, which can help the hernia repair sooner. However, if the hernia is large and still protrudes noticeably after the age of two, surgical intervention might be necessary.