Introduction

Ever had a disturb in your abdomen or a feeling like something that looks like warm is moving in your belly button?
Well I have and sometimes it’s not just funny, no, not even one bit.


I have a big belly button and sometimes I get this sharp pain, especially when I’m really hungry or engage in strenuous activities. If you have a big belly button or navel you’ll understand this.
It feels like something that looks like a warm or snake is moving in the navel.
I later found out that it’s not snake but something else. Read further, you’ll see.

Umbilical hernia can be of concern to those with big belly button.

The umbilical hernia normally closes up early at about one (1) year after the child Is born, but situations where it doesn’t can lead to some disturbance.

What then is Umbilical hernia?


To understand what Umblical hernia is, let’s take a quick look on what the Umblical cord is about and what could result to the hernia.

Umblical cord

is a conduit between the developing embryo or fetus and the placenta; during prenatal development , the umbilical cord is physiologically and genetically part of the fetus and (in humans).4.

The umbilical cord contains two arteries (the umbilical arteries ) and one vein (the umbilical vein), buried within Wharton's jelly.


The word brings back sweet memories during my year two physiology class, it is gelatinous substance that is made mostly of mucopolysaccharides.
This jelly is known to protects the blood vessels inside the belly button. It also contains one vein and two arteries.
The veins are known to carry oxygen-rich blood down to the fetus, while the two arteries carry oxygen-depleted blood away.


The umbilical cord is what connects the child or fetus to the mother, it passes through an opening in the abdominal wall of the uterus( womb) which closes up soon after a baby is born, and in some case it takes some years about 1-4.

In some cases it does not close up properly and so the feeling of having snake like movement in that area is observed in my case.
Sometimes my navel becomes heavy or hard. This only happens when I engage in very serious activities or exercise and also when I have not eaten, which Most times happens since we are in a fast pace to meet up with classes.

Understand Umbilical Hernia

Umbilical hernia according to medical news today part

Umbilical hernia occurs when part of the bowel or fatty tissue pokes through an area near the belly button, pushing through a weak spot in the surrounding abdominal wall. Although umbilical hernias are easily treatable, in rare situations they can become a serious condition.
1

In children, many umbilical hernias close on their own by age 1 or 2, though some take longer to heal. 2.

The Umbilical hernia (UH) contain tissue from the abdomen, of an organ such as the intestine. It is seen to be more common children, so yes, parents too should be concerned, though as said earlier it closes up early at about one year or thereabouts after birth. It has a looks lump-like appearance in the navel, which in cases like mine becomes more obvious when laughing, crying, or even coughing.

It’s something of fun to people when people with UH laughs, the belly button becomes like blowing a balloon, it goes up and down with each laughter. People see it and join in the laughing.

This happens to lot of kids with big belly button, after the laughter and the belly button rise and fall comes the pain and the need to relax again.
When a child with belly button is lying down or relaxed, the lump most times shrinks, it becomes so soft, you could hid a coin inside and it is not usually painful.

Risk factors of umbilical hernia increases In the case of children especially premature babies and minimal in adults where it doesn’t closes up early.

• It is seen to be more common in female than in male, with light or severe abdominal pains depending on the case, especially with pregnant women on their second pregnancy.

• Large body mass (Being overweight) is also another risk factor of umbilical hernia, being obsessed makes the risk of hernia higher, also older than 60 years are some of the increased risk to umbilical hernia aside the previously stated ones.

Umbilical hernia is very much common in premature babies

up to 75 percent of babies born under 1.5 kilograms in weight have an umbilical hernia
1

In cases of umbilical hernia the muscles however do not completely seal, thus leaving a weak spot just enough for development of an umbilical hernia.

What are the symptoms of umbilical hernia?

• Swelling.
  Having umbilical hernia comes with soft swelling near the navel.
  This swelling may be about 1-3 centimeter, that is using myself as a case study, in some cases it could be more that.
  In some cases

ranging from 1-5 centimeters in diameter. 1

These swelling is usually more noticeable during laughter, coughs, strains or during tears. It is more visible with babies, especially when you make that face that throws them off to laughter. So before continuing, take caution.

• Pain

Umbilical hernias are not usually painful In children as well as in infants, However, the case of adults differs as adults especially the females may feel pain or discomfort if the hernia is large.
It’s always a caution to fix it up during teen age Mine is still with me and the disturbance is although light, and I’ve missed tests due to the pains that comes with it.

• Constipation and vomiting are other signs
  
  

What are the Causes of umbilical hernia?

• Umbilical hernias occurs as a result of an opening in the abdominal muscles of an individual.
• In the case of babies, during the development of the fetus in the mother's womb, a small opening in the abdominal muscles occurs thereby allowing the umbilical cord to pass through.

Around the time of birth, or shortly after, this opening in the abdominal muscles should close. When this does not happen - if the opening does not close completely, fatty tissue or part of the bowel can poke through, causing an umbilical hernia.
1

The case of the older ones is quite different as I have come to realize if pressure on the abdominal wall, is high, thereby poking Through an opening or weak part of the abdominal muscle.
The cases of adults as earlier said can cause pain and discomfort, hence the need to see a doctor.

• Also once the swelling or bulges becomes more frequent or discolored, then there is need to visit the hospital.
• For parents, consider allowing the child sleep on his or her abdomen, this will make the swelling soft.
  
  

Diagnosis and Treatment of Umbilical Hernia

An ultrasound or x-ray is done to diagnose umbilical hernia. The test examination is aimed at showing These tests if there is any trapping of tissues or organ in the hernia. Which gives the motion for treatment plan.

TREATMENTS

• Hernia in many cases goes without treatment.
  Pressure on the abdominal wall.
  The doctor or health care provider can put firm pressure on the hernia until till it disappears behind the abdominal wall.
• Surgery

Individuals with umbilical hernia may need surgery to fix the hernia if it cannot be reduced.
Have read cases where the intestine gets trapped in the hernia during peristalsis and in such case, surgical operation is required as this can stop or reduce the flow of blood to the organ.
For parents, surgery may be considered if the hernia grows after the child is 1-2 years old
While saving for that surgery or not considering surgery, one can practice healthy lifestyle with the umbilical hernia with the following management techniques :

• Stay hydrated.
  Individuals with umbilical hernia should ensure being hydrated, drink enough water, as this may prevent constipation and straining during a bowel movement.

• It can also prevent hernia from getting bigger.

• Avoid skipping meals.
  Umbilical hernia may also occur when individual skip meals. Even if you are on a fast lane, get a bit.

• Digestion of fiber rich food.
  Fibers are good meal to prevent constipation and straining during a bowel movement. This helps in preventing the swelling of the hernia.
  Foods that contain fiber include fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.

• Avoid strenuous activity .
  As said earlier ,heavy lifting or engaging in strenuous activities could make the hernia bigger and painful.

• Coins placement in the hernia does not solve it so do not place it inside.
  
  
  Conclusion
  Individuals with umbilical hernia should seek medical attention in cases where pains are severe.
  Parents should also ensure treatments of hernia in cases where applicable
  
  
  Thanks for reading.

Magdnrobinson

References

1 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/189580.php

2
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/umbilical-hernia/symptoms-causes/syc-20378685

3
https://www.healthline.com/health/umbilical-hernia#causes

4 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbilical_cord

5 https://www.allinahealth.org/mdex/ND7189G.HTM