Umbilical hernia: what it is, what the early stage looks like, and symptoms

An umbilical hernia is a bulge in the area of the navel in which part of the intestine or the fat surrounding it protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall muscles. In children, such a bulge usually disappears on its own as they grow; in adults it usually does not go away and requires a surgeon's evaluation. Below: what the early stage looks like, what sizes occur, and which symptoms mean that a visit cannot be postponed.

What an umbilical hernia is and why it appears

A hernia is the protrusion of internal organs or the abdominal lining through an opening in the muscles near the navel. The bulge consists of abdominal fat in the greater omentum or of parts of the small intestine. The contents can often be pushed back through the wall defect, and it appears with coughing or other actions that increase intra-abdominal pressure.

In infants, the cause is incomplete closure of the opening through which the umbilical cord passed in the womb. In adults, obesity, multiple pregnancies, and ascites in liver disease are cited. Most umbilical hernias are not associated with a disease; some are associated with rare conditions, such as Down syndrome. An umbilical hernia (hernia umbilicalis) is distinguished from an umbilical cord hernia (hernia funiculi umbilicalis): these are different conditions.

What an umbilical hernia looks like in the early stage

The early stage is a soft bulge directly from or around the navel. In infants, the size ranges from about a pea to approximately 2 cm. In adults, small (about 1 cm), medium (1 to 4 cm), and large (more than 4 cm) hernias are distinguished; in children, the width ranges from less than 1 cm to more than 5 cm. When lying down at rest, the bulge may be flat, and with crying, coughing, or straining it becomes more noticeable.

If the bulge has become larger than usual and the skin around it has changed color, this is a warning sign (see below).

Symptoms of an umbilical hernia

Most often the only symptom is a soft bulge in the navel area. Umbilical hernias are usually painless, although adults may experience discomfort when coughing or straining. Usually a hernia is found during a physical examination.

You should see a doctor if:

• you have noticed a bulge in the navel area in yourself or your child;
• the formation is painful, hard, or does not move;
• the bulge is increasing or does not go away.

An umbilical hernia hurts: what pain means

Pain with an umbilical hernia is not obligatory. If the formation is painful, hard, or does not move, you need to see a doctor. Very severe abdominal pain that does not go away is an emergency sign: help is needed immediately.

Features of umbilical hernia in women

In adults, the cause of an umbilical hernia may be multiple pregnancies. In some cases, surgery is also performed for cosmetic reasons.

Complications of an umbilical hernia: when urgent help is needed

Complications are rare in children but possible in adults. The most serious is strangulation, when the blood supply to the intestine is blocked and can progress to sepsis and gangrene. This is an emergency condition: surgery is needed as soon as possible.

An umbilical hernia by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance. Call 103 or 112 if, with a hernia, very severe abdominal pain has occurred that does not go away; nausea, vomiting, or inability to keep food down has appeared; the bulge has become larger than usual and the skin around it has changed color; gas is not passing and there is no bowel movement.

This material is for reference: it describes symptoms and does not replace a surgeon's consultation — the diagnosis is made during an in-person examination.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer