Umbilical Hernia

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A hernia (HER-nee-ah) happens when tissue or part of an organ bulges out of its normal place in the body. An umbilical (um-BIL-i-kal) hernia is when something from the abdomen (belly) slips out of place. This causes a lump or bulge in the area of the navel ("belly button"). The hernia may contain fluid, part of an organ (such as the intestine), or other tissue from the abdomen. Umbilical hernias usually happen because of a hole or a weak area in the muscles of the abdominal wall. Being overweight, pregnant, or having fluid or a tumor (growth) in your abdomen increases your risk of having an umbilical hernia. Most umbilical hernias in adults need surgery to fix. You may need surgery right away (emergency surgery) if a loop of intestine becomes trapped in the hernia.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the dose, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. If you are taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-AH-tiks), take them until they are all gone, even if you feel well.
  
  
• Your caregiver may suggest medicine such as acetaminophen (a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen) or ibuprofen (eye-bu-PROH-fen) to decrease pain. Tell your caregiver if your pain does not decrease enough for you to feel better. Hernia pain that becomes worse may be a sign of a serious problem. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Follow-up visit information: Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have about your hernia and how it is treated. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Advice about living with a hernia:

• Activity: Avoid lifting, bending, and straining. Try not to stand for long periods of time. If you have to cough, try to cough gently. Support the hernia by holding your hand or a pillow over it when coughing. Ask your caregiver if it is OK for you to have sexual intercourse (sex).
  
  
• Preventing constipation: Constipation is when you have trouble having a BM. Straining to have a BM may make your hernia worse. Eat foods that are high in fiber and drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Doing this can help to prevent constipation. A high fiber diet includes whole grains, bran, cereals, and uncooked fruit and vegetables. Taking walks or other exercise can also help. Caregivers may give you fiber medicine or a stool softener to help make your BMs softer and more regular. Do not use an enema or a laxative unless your caregiver says it is OK.
  
  
• What to wear: Do not wear anything tight over your hernia. Talk to your caregiver before wearing a truss or other bandage to keep the hernia in place.
  
  
• Reducing your hernia: Sometimes your hernia will slip back into your abdomen if you lie flat for a while. Ask your caregiver if you should try to gently push your hernia back into place if lying flat does not work. If your hernia does not slide back into your abdomen easily, stop pushing on it and call your caregiver. Do not try to push the hernia back into place if it is painful or tender.

For more information: Contact the following to learn more about hernias and their treatment:

• National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
  2 Information Way
  Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
  Phone: 1-800-8915389
  Web Address: www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov
  

• American College of Surgeons
  633 N. Saint Clair St.
  Chicago, IL 606113211
  Phone: 1-312-2025000
  Phone: 1-800-6214111
  Web Address: http://www.facs.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have nausea (feeling sick to your stomach) or vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• You cannot gently push your hernia back into your abdomen.
  
  
• You become constipated or have blood in your BMs.
  
  
• Your hernia is getting bigger or the pain is getting worse.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• The hernia is stuck outside the abdomen and is painful, swollen, or feels hard.
  
  
• You completely stop having BMs and stop passing gas.
  
  
• Abdominal (belly) pain that is bad or getting worse.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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