The umbilical hernia is a protrusion of the abdominal organs. This disease occurs in 8% of the population and often overtakes women. First, the tumor is small in size, in the supine position, it is generally not noticeable. But if time does not begin treatment, it grows, begins to cause pain.
In our material we will consider the main causes and symptoms of its appearance, methods of treatment, including without operations.
Causes of umbilical hernia
An umbilical hernia appears in violation of the balance between intra-abdominal pressure and the ability of the abdominal walls to resist it. In other words, weak abdominal muscles lead to the appearance of a hernia, for example, if a person often wears or strains.
In medicine, there are the following factors that can lead to such a problem:
- Predisposing. This category includes factors that concern a person’s constitution. For example, age, body structure, heredity.
- Producing. The factors involved here lead to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. For example, severe cough, heaviness.
The umbilical hernia in adults is a fairly common phenomenon, and it has characteristic symptoms, so it is quite simple to distinguish it from other types of this disease.
What symptoms will tell about this problem
An umbilical hernia always has visual symptoms, so if a person is attentive to his health, it will not be difficult for him to notice its presence. So, the first symptom is a bulge in the navel in the form of a ball, and at rest this symptom can be overlooked, but in the case of a strong cough the ball bulges considerably.
At first, such a "ball" quickly disappears, but over time, the adhesive process begins to develop, with the result that the hernia reduction becomes impossible. At the same time, there are pains during physical exertion, the same symptoms can be noticed during defecation, especially if the person suffers from constipation.
As soon as the size of the hernia becomes larger (when it is no longer in a lying position), other symptoms appear:
- vomiting;
- problems urinating.
This causes severe discomfort and impairs the quality of life. If you do not start treatment in time, serious complications, such as inflammation, coprostasis, can occur.
How is the diagnosis
The surgeon should be involved in the treatment of umbilical hernia. If a patient has come to him with similar symptoms, he will first be examined by a doctor, who should examine the clinical manifestations of this disease. To confirm the diagnosis, physicians may be assigned and additional studies:
- X-ray of the stomach and duodenum.
- Gastroscopy, EGD.
- Herniography.
- Ultrasound.
Since, by some signs, the umbilical hernia resembles a benign tumor, such as lipomas, in rare cases in the abdomen metastases of malignant tumors can occur.
Therefore, with the appearance of protrusion, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Proper and effective treatment
Do not let this disease take its course. If you do not start treatment in time, there may be a pinching of the hernia, which is quite difficult to treat. If there are no complications, apply conservative therapy. It is also prescribed in the presence of the following contraindications to the operation:
- Diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
- Big term of pregnancy.
Depending on the size of the hernia, the doctor chooses one of the following treatments:
- Implant surgery.
- Plastic, when a person’s own tissue is used.
- Hernioplasty.
The doctor chooses the method. But today the last option is very common, since this operation not only removes the hernia, but also has a short rehabilitation period, minimal risk of complications.
The second method of plastic surgery of the hernia gate is carried out in the case when the size of the tumor does not exceed 5 cm. This operation is quite fast and is usually carried out under local anesthesia. During the operation, tissues are restored, the weak points of the abdominal walls are strengthened. The main disadvantages of this method include:
- Long recovery - the rehabilitation period can reach a year. At this time, you need to limit physical activity.
- After surgery, a scar remains.
Hernioplasty is optimal in the presence of large hernias. In this operation gives good results: if you follow all the recommendations of the doctor, you can avoid any relapse. The advantages also include:
- Fast recovery - from 1 to 3 weeks. And on the first day after the operation, the patient is already getting out of bed, eating.
- There are no scar defects.
- The recurrence rate is 1%.
But there are a number of difficulties that are worth remembering. This is a rather complicated procedure that requires the professionalism of the surgeons, the availability of special equipment, and this combination is not in every hospital. In addition, this method is contraindicated in patients who suffer from pathologies of the respiratory system, have a large expansion of the umbilical ring.
Rehabilitation after surgery
To recover quickly and successfully, you need to adhere to the correct mode of the day. For example, the first two days you need to lie back, and so that there are no complications, you can only lie on your back.
On the third day, you can begin to get up, while it should be remembered that serious exercise during this period can cause complications. After the operation, bandages need to be done during the week, and in order not to visit the doctor each time, you can do the work yourself by taking a couple of “lessons” from the nurse.
In order for the damaged place to heal faster, some patients are prescribed antibiotics, trips to physiotherapists.
Also, do not forget about proper nutrition. During the rehabilitation period, you need to slightly change the usual diet. For example, do not consume spicy foods. It is best during this period to lean on cereals, light soups, foods that soften the stool, because constipation should not be allowed.
The first 1-2 days after the procedure, the patient can eat food only in liquid form, over time, you can add new foods so that the stomach gets used to the usual food.
Reviews of the operation
We have gathered for you some feedback from patients who have undergone surgery.
The last time the operation was done three years ago. Everything was fine until she lifted a heavy bucket - as a result, she appeared again. I talked to my doctor, who insisted on performing hernia using a mesh - they say it is the best method.
Olga, 40 years old
The doctor prescribed hernioplasty. Literally on the second day after the operation, I already got up, after another three days I already ate. The only problem is that they have restricted sports, because we had to forget about cycling for some time. Pleased with the lack of a scar.
Yevgeny, 31
Is treatment possible without surgery?
For some reasons, some people are forbidden to have surgery. In this case, it is recommended to use a special bandage that helps to keep the abdominal tissue, therefore, the probability of an increase in neoplasm is reduced.
You can also appoint a special massage, during which you should do the following:
- rub the abdominal muscles;
- clockwise to stroke the belly;
- it is easy to pinch the skin around the navel.
Also remember that physical exertion should be minimal during this period, it is impossible to lift weights, to strain the stomach.
