Umbilical hernia - description, symptoms, treatment in children and adults

One of the most common abnormalities of the abdominal wall is the umbilical hernia. Most often it occurs because of muscle weakness, but the reason may be a large distance between them.

Diagnosis "Umbilical hernia" surgeons put in the case if those organs that are in the abdominal cavity, go through the so-called umbilical ring (hernial gate).

In total there are two types of umbilical hernias. The first is the formations, which are the protrusion of the internal organs in the region of the umbilical ring. A distinctive feature is the formation of a hernial sac, through which a large omentum and loops of the intestine exit. The second type of hernia include those in which only the fatty pre-abdominal fat leaves the umbilical ring (no formation of a hernial sac is observed).

Umbilical hernia is common in infants. With a calm state of the newborn, it can not be detected - it often manifests itself with increased pressure of the abdominal cavity. That is, it appears most often when crying, hysterical (strong) crying, coughing, sneezing, or other signs of a child's anxiety. However, protrusion of the navel in these specific cases may not be a sign of the formed hernia. Perhaps this is just an anatomical feature. But once again to be reinsured and see a doctor is never too late!

Umbilical hernia can be of different sizes. It can be determined with the help of the usual probing of the umbilical ring. It can be the size of a cherry bones, and maybe more. If the hernia is small, then you can not even notice the external signs.

This disease can be found not only in newborn children (with due care of hernia disappears by 3 years), but also in an adult. Especially at risk of its occurrence the future mums are exposed. Umbilical hernia in pregnancy is formed if the abdominal muscles of a woman are slightly weakened or stretched after a previous pregnancy, hydramnios are observed, or a large replenishment is expected in the family.

Signs of a hernia in a pregnant woman: protrusion of the navel, a cavity is probed in its area. Also in the stomach may appear characteristic clicks.

Umbilical hernia in adults - symptoms

Stiffened navel, you can find a depression in this place. Character unusual sounds - in the abdomen there may be intermittent "claps".

Umbilical hernia refers to those diseases for which no antibiotics or other drugs are needed. If the doctor is sure that the hernia does not pass by itself, then for the beginning a special massage is prescribed (if the formation is small), bandages. Only in extreme cases surgery is required!

How to help the child?

The most common massage technique :

• Make the child a light massage of the entire abdomen with the circular movements of the palm (only clockwise);
• Attach the thumb to the umbilical area and make the vibrating lungs press;
• Cover the entire area around the navel with the palm of your hand and, just slightly pressing, turn the palm (also clockwise);
• Now place the palms on both sides of the baby's navel and start moving the palm of the left hand down, while the right one up, change the direction of the movements;
• Fold fingers "pinch" and press around the navel.

Before the beginning of feeding also make massage: put the thumb (it is possible and the index finger) on the baby's navel and rotate it clockwise by 180 degrees, while slightly pushing it into the middle. This procedure must be done 30 times.

To seal a belly button with a band-aid is also a good method to cure an umbilical hernia. However, do not forget that the child is very tender and sensitive skin. In any case - a visit to the doctor is the best solution.