Does umbilical hernia cause constipation?

Have you ever found yourself asking whether your umbilical hernia is the reason behind your frequent constipation woes? Well, worry not because in this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about how an umbilical hernia affects bowel movements.

What is an Umbilical Hernia?

Before diving into how a hernia can affect your gastrointestinal tract let’s first define what an umbilical hernia is. An umbilical hernia occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through the abdominal muscles above or around the belly button.

Causes

Hernias are typically caused by a combination of pressure and weakness in the muscle or connective tissue surrounding organs such as intestines. This weakened area allows for internal organs to push out leading to bulges that are characteristic with hernias.

The possible causes of this weakening may include:

  • Age
  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • Heavy lifting
  • Chronic coughing
  • Previous abdominal surgeries

While each patient’s experience varies depending on these factors that contributed towards developing a herniation, it’s essential always to seek advice from professionals if you suspect any symptoms indicative of having a complicated situation.

Symptoms

Some common signs that indicate an individual has developed an umbilical hernia may include:

  1. Bulging near stomach: A visible bulge appears under people’s skin where patients will commonly describe seeing right around their belly button.
  2. Pain: While some people feel no pain while others report vague and sordid pains triggered by activities like bending over/twisting frequently.
  3. Nausea/Vomiting: This symptomatically implies more severe complications such as peritonitis – which involves inflammation/infection within one’s abdomen.
  4. Discomfort during Urination/Bowel Movements : This symptom manifests itself due to irritation stemming from excessive bowel movements or going too many times throughout their day without having passed regular stool.

Who’s at Risk?

Although hernias can happen to anyone, some groups are more likely than others. Let’s have a look!

  • Infants – Incorporating the congestion of any ventral wall defects typically improved within infants’ first two years.
  • Adults – These wounds often require surgery and might result from various reasons such as lifting weights excessively, obesity et cetera.
  • Pregnant Women – This group is relatively common due to increased pressure which comes with carrying another life for 9 months in one uterus.

Now let’s shift towards answering our primary question regarding whether Umbilical Hernia causes constipation!

Can an Umbilical Hernia Cause Constipation?

If you’re among the population suffering from both of these misfortunes simultaneously, the link between your symptoms could indeed be causative as per a few resources. More specifically, it has been thought that umbilical hernias may occasionally cause mechanical obstructions (blockages) in bowel function or gastrointestinal disorders such as frequent constipation. Thus internal organs get intertwined; causing complications like impeding blood flow along with other related issues associated with digestive functions.

As we all know now during digestion food passes through different sections of our digestive tract via rhythmic contraction waves also known by medical professionals as peristalsis [1]. Now when someone experiences severe chronic constipation alongside An umbilical hernia progressed it over time thus increasing pressure upon the patient’s intestines pulling them into becoming interlaced creating conditions conducive to blockage; hence leading up toward constipation.

While there isn’t enough research out there conclusively linking umbilical hernias and developing/prevalent occurrences of consistent abdomen bloating accompanied by possible Infrequent Bowel Movements again mostly seen within adults who encounter difficult bowel evacuations.

How to Prevent and Treat Constipation Arising From An Umbilical Hernia

To treat your constipation related symptoms, it is worth emphasizing that a patient should first approach trained professionals to report their conditions. The top-given medical responses typically border around the avoidance of engaging in activities such as carrying heavy items/lifting weights or straining oneself during bowel movements to lessen hernia impact upon one’s daily life [2].

Other recommendations would also include trying benign methods for dealing with constipation like adding more water/fiber into one’s diet, walking long distances frequently et cetera. Laxatives might be prescribed by providers if needed but remember that laxative dependency longer might lead towards over-reliance hence ultimately leading towards accumulative complications therefore always emphasize consulting before taking any advice off the internet/other non-professional sources!

For extreme cases of abdominal obstruction, surgery will more than likely become recommended as one develops further symptoms worsening their day-to-day comforts associated with running errands like going grocery shopping or attending work/gathering with friends and family.

Conclusion

While there isn’t conclusive research directly linking umbilical hernias’ development and constipation alongside Impeded Bowel Movements conclusively treatment can nevertheless provide relief centered on managing symptoms effectively without reaching an emergency stage requiring urgent surgical interventions amongst patients affected by these notoriously tricky-to-manage health issues positively!

Thus ends our discussion about Umbilical Hernias & Constipations; however never stop seeking attention from licensed professionals when experiencing complicated health problems rely solely upon expert opinion rather than second-guessing issues up in question marks – this entirely prevents future misdiagnosis / overreliance where necessary aid wasn’t previously available at hand for suitable management thereof amongst impacted individuals today!