You should be concerned if some big changes happen, and you can see that those changes influence the baby’s health. When babies have an umbilical hernia, it is a rare case that babies need surgery.
They are almost always naturally gone by the child’s second birthday. However, if you see that your baby still has a hernia, even after 2 years have passed, and the doctor advised you to wait longer, that is okay too.
But if your child is almost five, and the problem is still present, visit the pediatrician immediately.
To be precise, you should get in contact with the baby’s doctor if you notice that the hernia is getting larger, looks reddish and swollen, or is hard to touch.
It usually sticks out during a child’s sleep and lying down, and you should not try to push it by yourself.
Umbilical hernias are a relatively common birth defect involving an abnormal opening of the umbilicus, which connects the fetus to the placenta.
It is usually caused by twisting/rolling of the umbilical cord during delivery. Complications can include strangulation of fetal tissue or bowel, insufficient oxygen supply to the fetus, and fluid accumulation around the navel.
When should I worry about my umbilical hernia in adults?
The answer to when should I be concerned about an umbilical hernia, when it comes to adults, is the same. If you notice any swelling, redness, it appears to be larger and firm on touch, visit the doctor right away.
This can indicate an infection and your healthcare provider will give you the needed treatment. A hernia is a protrusion or displacement of an organ or other tissue from the normal position in the body.
One of the most common types of hernia is an umbilical hernia, which results when a loop in the intestines pushes through a weakness in the muscle wall that normally holds it in place. The risk for this type of hernia increases with age, and they are more common among men.
In most cases, you can tell if you have an umbilical hernia by feeling your stomach area and noticing whether there’s any noticeable bulge. Some people also experience abdominal pain and difficulty with bowel movements related to their condition.
What happens if you leave an umbilical hernia untreated?
When should I be concerned about an umbilical hernia? When you notice the signs of infection. If you leave it be, and don’t treat it, it can lead you to some severe complications and problems.
It can continue growing and cause more symptoms than before.
In addition to that, it can put excessive pressure on the nearby tissues which will result in more pain and swelling within the area. Also, it can happen that the part of your intestine becomes lodged in your abdominal wall.
The intestine is the longest organ in your body, but that doesn’t mean it can be stretched without limits or damage done to itself.
If you have an umbilical hernia for a long time, the intestines are more likely to have problems resembling twisted bowels, obstruction of bowel movement, and twisting of tissue within the wall of skin surrounding the intestines called volvulus. This will result in severe pain which needs immediate medical help.
How do I know if my umbilical hernia is strangulated?
You can assume that your umbilical hernia is strangulated if you have some of the following symptoms:
- An abdominal mass
- A bulge that is red, purple, dark, or discolored
- Constipation
- Flu-like symptoms like fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain and tenderness in the abdomen
When it comes to the question of when should I be concerned about an umbilical hernia, these symptoms will tell you the answer.
You should visit your doctor right away. He or she will do a thorough examination to determine if the umbilical hernia is strangulated.
This means that the portion of your intestine is lodged in the abdominal opening and isn’t receiving any blood flow.
It is possible for the intestine to become necrotic quickly if not treated, necessitating its surgical removal.
When should I see a doctor for an umbilical hernia?
When in doubt about an umbilical hernia when it comes to your baby, it is advised to contact your baby’s doctor. Especially in times when you notice that the baby is in pain or the bulge changed its color and it looks swollen.
This also applies to adults as well. The same symptoms may occur, and the person should make an appointment to see a doctor.
The procedure is very common, simple, and rather quick, so there’s no need to worry about it.
The patient should have a consultation with his or her primary care provider, but the umbilical hernia will be referred to a surgeon for outpatient repair.
In certain cases, however, a referral may be required to a pediatric surgeon. In any case, the visit will only require an evaluation and confirmation of diagnosis through physical examination.
If there are any doubts about it being a true umbilical hernia or other diseases being involved, your doctor may recommend one or more other tests such as ultrasound to rule out other possible conditions.
Summary
When we talk about babies, parents are very responsible and they even tend to overreact to certain things. But, when it comes to their own health, they usually delay visiting the doctor.
When we talk about umbilical hernia in babies, it should be taken care of vigilantly, but this type of condition is very common, and it’s usually gone by itself, without any surgery.
However, when changes happen, parents often ask, when should I be concerned about an umbilical hernia?
The answer refers both to babies and parents. When the bulge looks swollen, and it’s starting with discoloration, with additional pain and hardness, it’s time to visit the doctor and prevent any further infection.
