The navel is a vital connection between mother and child. However, in adulthood it can be a weak point in the abdominal wall, on the basis of which an umbilical hernia forms. Initially barely noticeable, it later becomes a slight protrusion, which quickly has the potential for serious complications. Here you can find out everything you need to know about umbilical hernias.
An umbilical hernia, also known as an umbilical hernia, is a congenital or acquired gap in the abdominal wall near the navel. Initially this gap is tiny, but later fatty tissue or even intestines can be pushed out. From the outside, the umbilical hernia therefore usually appears as a protrusion of the navel, which can also be slightly painful during physical exertion.
And important: An umbilical hernia is most common in babies and small children, where it also disappears on its own. However, if it only occurs in adulthood, surgery is the only way to treat it.
The most common symptom of an umbilical hernia is the protrusion of the navel. If it is mild, it is only noticeable because the navel looks slightly wider than normal. A real swelling or “bump” is usually not recognizable at first, but over time, it can increase and become more prominent, especially during physical exertion.
When feeling, the protrusion can be pushed back in with light pressure, but this is often slightly painful for those affected. However, pain does not necessarily have to be present. This is because some umbilical hernias do not cause any symptoms, which means that they are only discovered late or by chance during a visit to the doctor.
Nevertheless, an umbilical hernia can be dangerous and become a medical emergency if it becomes trapped. Fatty tissue or intestinal loops are pushed through the hernia gap at the navel and become trapped. The symptoms of such an emergency are
If you notice these signs, you should see a doctor or go to hospital immediately. Because if you wait too long, life-threatening complications can arise.
Just like an inguinal hernia, an umbilical hernia can be congenital or develop in the course of life. We will now restrict ourselves to the acquired form.
The reason for the development is certainly that the navel is naturally a weak point in the abdominal wall. And any physical exertion increases the pressure in the abdominal cavity, causing the abdominal wall to tighten. As a result, increased pressure is exerted on the navel. This is not a problem for a healthy abdominal wall. However, there are some risk factors that can weaken the abdominal wall and thus promote an umbilical hernia.
The following factors can increase the risk of an umbilical hernia:
As soon as you think you have an umbilical hernia, you should see your family doctor. Also think of an umbilical hernia if you have pain near the navel – even if you can’t see anything from the outside or nothing is bulging. This is because a small umbilical hernia is often difficult to feel and cannot be recognized by an untrained eye.
The family doctor will examine you and try to feel the umbilical hernia. You should then be referred for an ultrasound, where the diagnosis will be confirmed in a radiology institute. The ultrasound is completely uncomplicated and only takes a few minutes.
Once the diagnosis has been made, consult a general surgeon who will advise you on how to proceed. Surgery should usually be planned promptly, although it is also important to discuss possible risks if you want to wait or do not want surgery.
Important: If you suddenly feel severe pain in the navel area, you must see a doctor or go to hospital immediately, as this could be an incarcerated umbilical hernia that requires immediate surgery.
Last update: 19.06.2024
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