Umbilical Hernia

When a portion of the intestine pushes through the abdominal muscles through the umbilical opening, a condition known as an umbilical hernia develops. They are frequent and usually harmless, While infants are disproportionately affected, adults are not immune. An umbilical hernia in an infant may be more noticeable while the baby is crying and the belly button protrudes. This is a classic sign of an umbilical hernia.

Many umbilical hernias in children heal on their own by the time they are One or 2, though this may take longer in some cases. Umbilical hernias that haven't healed by age 4 or that have appeared in adults may require surgical correction to avert problems.

Symptoms:

• The soft enlargement or protrusion that develops in the belly button is called an umbilical hernia (umbilicus).
• You may not realize your infant has an umbilical hernia until he or she cries, coughs, or strains.
• The swelling can go down if your baby relaxes or if you put him or her on his or her back.
• Most cases of umbilical hernia in children cause no discomfort.
• Abdominal pain may accompany the development of an umbilical hernia in an adult.

Causes:

The umbilical cord enters the abdominal cavity of the fetus through a tiny incision. Usually, the opening will close shortly after birth. A weakening in the abdominal wall, known as an umbilical hernia, can occur at birth or later in life if the abdominal wall muscles don't link together completely in the midline.

Umbilical hernias are caused by excessive pressure on the abdomen in adults. Some  of the causes in adults could be the following;

• Obesity
• Multiple pregnancies
• Internal abdominal fluid (Ascites)
• A history of abdominal surgery
• Peritoneal Dialysis for Prolonged Use

Risk factors:

Infants, especially those who were born prematurely or who were born with low birth weights, are at the greatest risk for developing umbilical hernias. Umbilical hernias tend to be slightly more common in black newborns. Girls and boys are equally at risk for developing the illness.

A higher incidence of umbilical hernia has been linked to extra weight and having more than one pregnancy in adulthood. In general, females are more likely to suffer from this kind of hernia.

Diagnosis:

It is during a physical examination that an umbilical hernia is discovered. Abdominal ultrasounds and computed tomography scans are utilized in screening for problems.

Treatment:

By the time a child reaches the age of 1 or 2, the vast majority of umbilical hernias will have healed on their own. During a physical examination, your doctor may even be able to return the excess skin and fat to your stomach. Some individuals recommend gluing a coin over the hernia to "repair" it, however, this "fix" does not work and can instead lead to infection since bacteria can collect behind the tape.

Umbilical hernias are the only type of hernia in children that commonly require surgery. And this surgery caused the following things:

• Cause discomfort
• Are bigger than 1.5 centimeters in diameter (slightly larger than a 1/2 inch)
• Are large and don't decrease in size over the first two years
• Don't disappear by age 4
• Become trapped or block the intestines
• For adults, surgery is typically recommended to avoid possible complications — especially if an umbilical hernia gets bigger or becomes painful.

A little incision is created just below the abdominal button during surgery. Tissue that had become herniated is put back into the abdomen, and the incision in the abdominal wall is closed with stitches. In adults, a mesh is frequently used to reinforce the abdominal wall after surgery.