What is the bulge in my belly button?

An umbilical hernia occurs when part of your intestine bulges through the opening in your abdominal muscles near your bellybutton (navel). Umbilical hernias are common and typically harmless.


Why is there a bulge in my belly button?

An umbilical hernia can develop when fatty tissue or a part of the bowel pokes through into an area near the navel. In adults, factors that can contribute to developing an umbilical hernia include: being overweight or obese. straining while you are lifting or moving heavy objects.

What does a belly button hernia look like in adults?

Appearance. People with umbilical hernias may notice: a soft bulge on or around the belly button. flushed skin or a small sore around bigger umbilical hernias.


Should I push my umbilical hernia back in?

If you cannot push a hernia back into place, the tissue may become trapped outside the belly wall. If the hernia gets twisted and loses its blood supply, it will swell and die. This is called a strangulated hernia. It usually causes a lot of pain.

Will a belly button hernia go away?

Most patients with umbilical hernias first notice a belly button bulge or discomfort. Over time these hernias can get larger and more uncomfortable as the hernia sac gets pushed out from inside the abdomen. Like other hernias, an umbilical hernia in an adult will not go away or get better without treatment.


Umbilical Hernia | Belly Button Hernia | Risk Factors, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment



How serious is a hernia in your belly button?

Umbilical hernias are common and typically harmless. Umbilical hernias are most common in infants, but they can affect adults as well. In an infant, an umbilical hernia may be especially evident when the infant cries, causing the bellybutton to protrude.

When should I worry about my umbilical hernia in adults?

Your doctor will recommend surgery right away if: You have pain, a swollen belly, or other signs of a rare but major problem called strangulation or incarcerated hernia. This can occur when the intestine gets trapped in the hernia sac and loses its blood supply.

What happens if you ignore an umbilical hernia?

If hernia is left untreated, the size of protruding intestine might get bigger and become strangulated leading to the reduction of blood flow to surrounding tissue.


Can you live with a hernia in your belly button?

Umbilical hernias are not always obvious, and it's possible you've been living with one for a while. However, umbilical hernias can threaten your overall health when complications occur.

How can I fix my umbilical hernia without surgery?

It is possible to treat a belly button hernia that has developed during pregnancy, without any surgery. Practicing some regular exercises such as yoga, aerobic and stretching can help. Additionally, pregnant women with an umbilical hernia can try breathing exercises, yoga, stretching, cycling, and meditation.

How do you fix a bellybutton hernia?

During umbilical hernia repair, the surgeon makes a small cut of about 2 to 3cm at the base of the belly button and pushes the fatty lump or loop of bowel back into the tummy. The muscle layers at the weak spot in the abdominal wall where the hernia came through are stitched together to strengthen them.


How do I check myself for a umbilical hernia?

What are the signs and symptoms of an umbilical hernia?
  1. A bulge or swelling in or near your belly button.
  2. A bulge that gets bigger when you cough, strain to have a bowel movement, or sit up.
  3. Nausea or vomiting.
  4. Constipation.


What does a navel hernia feel like?

Q: What Does a Belly or Abdominal (Ventral) Hernia Feel Like? A: If you have a ventral hernia in the belly area, you may see or feel a bulge along the outer surface of the abdomen. Typically, patients with ventral hernias describe mild pain, aching or a pressure sensation at the site of the hernia.

What does a tumor in the belly button look like?

This lump of tissue (tumor) bulges into your navel because of cancer that's spreading in your gut. The color can range from white to brownish red. It may be firm or leak fluid. Other signs of cancer might be a bloated belly, nausea, weight loss, and bleeding when you go to the bathroom.


What does an umbilical hernia feel like in a woman?

Bulge in or near the bellybutton that usually gets bigger when straining, lifting or coughing. Pressure or pain at the hernia site. Constipation. Sharp abdominal pain with vomiting — this can be a sign of a strangulated hernia and is a medical emergency.

What are the first signs of a hernia?

A bulge in the area on either side of your pubic bone, which becomes more obvious when you're upright, especially if you cough or strain. A burning or aching sensation at the bulge. Pain or discomfort in your groin, especially when bending over, coughing or lifting. A heavy or dragging sensation in your groin.

How do you treat an umbilical hernia in adults?

For adults, surgery is typically recommended to avoid possible complications, especially if the umbilical hernia gets bigger or becomes painful. During surgery, a small incision is made near the bellybutton.


What are the 3 types of hernias?

Common types of hernias include umbilical hernia, inguinal hernia, and femoral hernia.

Can you live with a hernia without surgery?

Hernias don't go away on their own. Only surgery can repair a hernia. Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia.

Can an umbilical hernia be cancerous?

Among malignancies found in umbilical hernias ovarial cancer, malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor and metastases of various intraabdominal cancers – so called Sister Mary Joseph's nodule – have been reported.


Do umbilical hernias affect bowel movements?

Symptoms of umbilical hernia

Cries. Strains while making a bowel movement. Coughs.

What is the difference between a hernia and an umbilical hernia?

A hernia that occurs in the belly button area is called an umbilical hernia. A hernia that occurs in the groin area is called an inguinal hernia.

Can losing weight fix an umbilical hernia?

Weight loss alone may decrease your pain and reduce the size of the bulge from your hernia to the point where surgery will no longer be needed, or may be delayed for many years. We recommend reaching a BMI of less than 35 prior to hernia repair.


How can I prevent my umbilical hernia from getting bigger?

If you have a hernia, try to keep it from getting worse:
  1. Avoid heavy lifting when you can. Lifting puts stress on the groin.
  2. When you must lift, don't bend over. Lift objects by using the legs, not the back.
  3. Eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water. ...
  4. Maintain a healthy body weight.


What size of umbilical hernia needs surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery is mainly suggested if the umbilical hernia is large (over 4 cm) [15]. This can decrease the risk of wound infections, post-operative pain, length of hospital stay, and other complications, mostly in patients at risk (obesity, smoking).