Umbilical hernia in adults
It shows as a bulge around the navel that increases on standing and coughing. Unlike an infant umbilical hernia, the adult kind rarely closes on its own and tends to widen.
Hernia through an old scar
This happens when the abdominal wall gives way at the site of a previous operation. Obesity, a wound infection after the first operation, repeated pregnancy and chronic cough all raise the chance.
Repair
- A very small hernia may be closed with stitches alone.
- A wider one is reinforced with mesh to reduce recurrence.
- Laparoscopy is a good option for many incisional hernias.
Before the operation
Losing weight when possible, and controlling chronic cough and constipation, lower the pressure on the repair and improve the result. A trapped hernia that will not go back, with pain and vomiting, needs urgent assessment.
This article is for general education and does not replace a medical examination or your doctor’s advice.
