Can an umbilical hernia cause abdominal bloating?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on April 09, 2025
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Umbilical hernias can potentially cause abdominal distention because they may become incarcerated or even strangulated. The contents entering the umbilical hernia can include the omentum or intestines. If the small intestine or colon becomes incarcerated in the hernia, it can cause partial intestinal obstruction, with symptoms potentially including abdominal pain, distension, and nausea and vomiting. In cases where an umbilical hernia becomes incarcerated or ruptured, timely surgical treatment is necessary. Generally, umbilical hernias in children before the age of two do not require surgical intervention unless incarceration occurs. Most can be treated with adhesive strapping to allow for natural healing. If the umbilical ring still has a diameter greater than 1.5cm after the age of two, surgery should be considered promptly. For children over five with an umbilical hernia, surgery is recommended regardless of the specifics. Adults diagnosed with an umbilical hernia are also advised to undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Can umbilical hernia be treated with moxibustion?

Umbilical hernia is fundamentally a surgical condition. The effectiveness of moxibustion in treating umbilical hernia is generally not very clear, and currently, there is no scientific basis to prove that moxibustion can cure umbilical hernia. Typically, umbilical hernias occur when the umbilical ring does not completely close. In children under six months, a conservative treatment approach is usually chosen. This can involve using a coin or cardboard larger than the umbilical ring, wrapping it to press against the ring, and securing it with adhesive tape to prevent movement. Most patients under six months old can heal naturally. For umbilical hernias, if the child is over two years old and the umbilical ring is still larger than 1.5 cm, surgical treatment is recommended. Moxibustion treatment does not offer significant benefits in the treatment of umbilical hernias. Therefore, as umbilical hernia is a surgical condition, it is advised that patients undergo surgery if their condition permits.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Is it normal for a baby to have an umbilical hernia with a belly button sound?

Infant umbilical hernia is caused by a congenitally weak abdominal wall around the navel, allowing organs within the abdominal cavity, such as intestines, to protrude through the hernia spot. If bowel sounds are enhanced, one might hear noises from the belly button. This is usually not concerning as long as there is no incarceration. Generally, it is important to avoid causing the child to cry intensely for long periods and to actively treat and prevent gastrointestinal diseases to avoid excessive abdominal pressure that can lead to frequent protrusions from the navel. Most umbilical hernias will gradually close and heal before the age of two as the child grows and their physique develops. Only a small portion of children with a large hernia ring diameter, such as more than two centimeters, or children who still have a noticeable umbilical hernia after the age of two, might require surgical intervention for treatment.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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Can an umbilical hernia cause diarrhea?

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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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.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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How to determine if it is an umbilical hernia?

The most typical symptom of an umbilical hernia is a protruding lump at the navel, which generally disappears on its own when the patient is sleeping soundly or lying flat. In most cases in children, the lump can enlarge and may become firmer when crying, standing, or straining the abdomen. It tends to reduce or even disappear during rest. Most adults become aware of the condition in children while doing laundry or bathing. In adults, umbilical hernias mostly occur due to conditions like pregnancy, excessive fat, chronic coughing, severe liver cirrhosis, ascites, etc. Adult umbilical hernias are prone to incarceration and strangulation, therefore, surgery is generally recommended as soon as possible. In children, conservative treatment methods can be adopted before the age of two, as the chances of incarceration are relatively low. Before two years of age, a coin or cardboard larger than the umbilical ring is used, held against the umbilical ring and secured with adhesive tape; this usually leads to spontaneous closure.