What Is an Umbilical Hernia, and When Does It Require Surgery?

Question

I recently noticed a small bulge near my belly button, and my doctor mentioned that it could be an umbilical hernia. I had never heard of this before, so now I’m trying to understand—what exactly is an umbilical hernia, and when does it need medical treatment?

From what I understand, an umbilical hernia occurs when part of the intestine pushes through the abdominal muscles near the belly button. But what causes this? Is it more common in infants, or can adults develop it as well? Can pregnancy, obesity, or heavy lifting increase the risk of an umbilical hernia?

I also read that some umbilical hernias close on their own, especially in babies. But for adults, do they ever heal naturally, or is surgery always required? How do I know if my umbilical hernia is getting worse, and are there warning signs that indicate an emergency?

Since I prefer natural treatments, I looked into Ayurveda’s approach to managing hernias. Are there Ayurvedic treatments, yoga poses, or dietary changes that can help prevent or support healing from an umbilical hernia? I found that certain abdominal-strengthening exercises and digestive herbs like Hing and Triphala are often recommended—do these actually help?

For those who have had an umbilical hernia, did you need surgery, or were you able to manage it naturally? I’d love to hear real experiences about living with and treating an umbilical hernia.

Dr Sujal Patil · Accepted Answer

An umbilical hernia occurs when part of the intestine or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall near the belly button. It is more common in infants, as their abdominal muscles are still developing, but adults can also develop it due to increased intra-abdominal pressure. Factors like pregnancy, obesity, heavy lifting, chronic coughing, or previous surgeries can weaken the muscles around the navel, leading to a hernia. In most cases, an umbilical hernia appears as a soft bulge near the belly button, which may increase in size when standing, coughing, or straining.

In infants, small umbilical hernias often close on their own by the age of 4-5 years. However, in adults, they rarely heal naturally and may gradually enlarge over time. Surgery is generally recommended if the hernia causes pain, discomfort, or continues to grow. A strangulated hernia, where the trapped intestine loses its blood supply, is a medical emergency and requires immediate surgery. Warning signs include severe pain, nausea, vomiting, redness, or an irreducible (stuck) bulge. If you notice these symptoms, seek urgent medical attention.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, hernias are linked to weak digestive fire (Agni) and imbalanced Vata dosha, which weakens abdominal muscles. Strengthening digestion with herbs like Hing (asafoetida), Triphala, and Pippali can help prevent excessive bloating and strain. Abdominal-strengthening yoga poses, such as Uttanpadasana (Raised Leg Pose) and Naukasana (Boat Pose), may help tone the muscles over time, but caution is needed to avoid worsening the hernia. Wearing a supportive abdominal belt and avoiding heavy lifting or excessive straining can also help manage symptoms. However, for large or symptomatic hernias, surgical intervention is usually the safest and most effective option.

What Is an Umbilical Hernia, and When Does It Require Surgery? - #15742

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