Can an umbilical hernia cause abdominal bloating?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on April 09, 2025
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
59sec home-news-image

What are good remedies for infant umbilical hernia?

Umbilical hernia in infants is caused by congenital underdevelopment of the abdominal muscles, forming a bulge beneath the skin due to abdominal distension protruding from the umbilicus. In fact, it usually does not require special treatment. Most umbilical hernias will gradually narrow and shrink within the first year after birth as the infant's nutrition and physique improve and the abdominal muscles develop, typically leading to natural closure with a very good prognosis. In daily care, it is important to prevent the child from crying loudly, especially when the child has gastrointestinal diseases and increased intestinal gas, which should be actively treated to minimize the herniation and to reduce it back when it does protrude. With such care, the chances of natural healing increase. However, if the child is over four years old and the hernia sac is still relatively large, surgical repair might be necessary.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
58sec home-news-image

Can an umbilical hernia heal itself?

Umbilical hernia has the potential to heal on its own, but it requires conservative treatment methods to be adopted. Generally, children under the age of two can undergo conservative observational treatment, such as using adhesive tape, as the umbilical ring in most cases can close by itself between the ages of 1 and 2. However, if the child is over two years old and the diameter of the umbilical ring still exceeds 1.5 cm, choosing surgical treatment is a wise decision. For patients over the age of five, it is recommended to undergo surgery as early as possible regardless of the situation, as the chances of incarceration or strangulation can increase after the age of five. Generally, surgical intervention is required for a cure. Options include traditional tissue suture repair methods or open umbilical hernia tension-free repair.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
33sec home-news-image

Will an infant's umbilical hernia heal by itself?

Infant umbilical hernia is a congenital disease, caused by a weak abdominal wall around the navel, leading to a protrusion at the navel. However, over 80% of infant umbilical hernias will, before the age of two, gradually heal as the hernial ring narrows and closes due to growth in age and physical development, achieving self-healing. Only a small portion require surgery. If an infant still has a noticeable umbilical hernia at the age of two, or if the hernial ring diameter is greater than 2 cm, then surgery is necessary.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
52sec home-news-image

Can you swim with an umbilical hernia?

Umbilical hernia is a common navel disease in infants and young children, primarily due to developmental defects at the navel where the region is relatively weak. When abdominal pressure increases, the contents of the abdomen may protrude, but this condition is generally not serious and does not cause severe harm to the child, with most cases resolving on their own. Therefore, for babies with an umbilical hernia, it is okay to allow them to swim. Swimming will not exacerbate the hernia nor cause any adverse effects. Only a very few severe cases of umbilical hernia, which have not healed naturally by the age of two, would require surgical treatment. It is also fine for children with an umbilical hernia to swim two to three times a week; parents can be reassured about this.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
56sec home-news-image

Does an umbilical hernia hurt?

Umbilical hernias can be painful because they may become incarcerated or even rupture. An umbilical hernia occurs when the area has not completely closed, allowing abdominal organs, such as the omentum or intestines, to enter the hernia sac. If incarceration persists for an extended period, it can cause localized pain and even symptoms of nausea and vomiting. For umbilical hernias, we generally advocate conservative treatment within the first six months, as most patients can heal on their own. If the diameter of the umbilical ring is still greater than 1.5 cm after the age of two, we recommend surgical treatment. The conservative treatment for umbilical hernia involves using a coin or a flat board, larger than the umbilical ring, wrapped and pressed against the ring, and then secured with wide adhesive tape. This method can prevent the hernia from protruding and promote healing.