Umbilical Hernia is a common condition in infants in which the intestine protrudes or pokes out through the abdominal muscles in the navel area, where generally the Umbilical cord is located. Umbilical Hernia is generally harmless if not sore and is evident when the bellybutton protrudes. During childhood, Umbilical Hernia closes on its own, but sometimes when it does not, it might require a surgical correction during adulthood. This condition is commonly seen in premature babies and can be diagnosed through physical examination alone.

Symptoms

Umbilical Hernia causes swelling or bulging near the navel and is generally visible under normal circumstances. However, in some cases, the protrusion occurs only when the baby strains, coughs or cries. Though this condition is painless, it can cause discomfort during adulthood. To avoid complications, it is advisable to seek professional help even if the condition initially seems harmless. There might be symptoms of pain, swelling, discoloration, and tenderness in the navel, accompanied by vomiting sometimes.

Causes

When the fetus is still unborn and in womb, the umbilical cord passes abdominal muscles of the baby through a small opening, which generally closes post birth. But in case muscles fail to completely join the midline of abdominal wall, this condition appears post birth, and sometimes later in life.

During adulthood, when there is too much pressure on the abdomen, it leads to this condition. This pressure might build up due to a number of causes like multiple pregnancies, obesity, previous abdominal surgery, ascites (fluid in the abdominal cavity), and long-term dialysis for kidney function.

Complications

Complications might be caused when the protruding part of the intestine gets incarcerated or trapped and fails to push itself back into the abdominal cavity, reducing the blood supply. This leads to tissue damage and umbilical pain. If the blood supply totally fails, tissue death leads to gangrene, causing infection, and posing a life-threatening situation. In such cases, surgery might have to be performed in an emergency.

Treatment

Most of the times, abdominal tissue pushes itself back but sometimes, it has to be done by an experienced medical professional. When this cannot happen, surgery has to be performed to correct the situation. The surgery can be open or laparoscopic.

A small incision is made at the base of the bellybutton during surgery, which is a small and quick procedure. The hernia is corrected and sutures close the incision. For adults, sometimes mesh is used for strengthening the abdomen during open surgery.

Take Away

Umbilical Hernia is a condition in which the intestine or abdominal tissue protrudes through the abdominal muscles in the navel area, where generally the Umbilical cord is located. It is a harmless condition but sometimes painful. Generally, it corrects itself but when it fails to do so, corrective surgery is required which can be open or laparoscopic.

 Umbilical Hernia - How To Manage It?

What is a hernia?

The presence of weakness or hole in a muscle, which permits tissues and organs to bulge through the defect, is termed as a hernia. Hernias can range from harmless or barely noticeable to life-threatening, depending on the organs involved and size of a hernia. In such cases, a surgeon to counter the presence of a hernia performs a hernia repair surgery. Otherwise, it might cause substantial organ damage.

How many types of hernias are there?

A hernia can occur in any part of your body. However, it is most commonly found in the groin and stomach region. Apart from that, listed below are the different types of a hernia-

  An incisional hernia- Occurs around the incision site, due to surgery
  An umbilical hernia- Occurs close to the belly button or umbilicus
  Congenital Diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)- Occurs during birth, that might cause the internal organs to move into the chest cavity
  An inguinal hernia- Occurs in the groin region, similar to a femoral hernia
  An epigastric hernia- Occurs between the chest and belly button
  A femoral hernia- Occurs in the groin region, like an inguinal hernia
  A hiatal hernia- A hiatal hernia can cause the stomach to move into the chest cavity

A hernia can cause many problems for you, not just physically but also from other aspects as well. If you do not go for treatment at the right time, it can interfere with your day-to-day activities due to the serious pain associated with it.

What are the factors or signs that call for a hernia repair surgery?

Hernias can sometimes take a long time to notice. Many people notice the presence of a hernia when they participate in any kind of physically taxing or strenuous work. The following symptoms will help you understand whether you need a hernia repair surgery-

  Discomfort or pain that intervenes with your daily activities
  Large-sized hernias
  If your hernia is gradually growing in size and getting worse, especially in the groin region
  When your hernia starts putting a lot of pressure on your nerves, which lead to numbness and irritation
  Long-term discomfort caused due to a hernia
  Vomiting and a piercing stomach pain

The process of performing a hernia repair surgery

Hernia surgery is done in the following two ways-

  Laparoscopic surgery - During this procedure, the surgeon will inflate your stomach with harmless gas, to have a clear look inside. After this, he will make small incisions near a hernia and put a thin tube with a minute camera. This will give him get a clear view inside your stomach and allow him to repair a hernia with a mesh.

  Open surgery - In this procedure, the surgeon will make a large incision and open up your skin. After this, he will slowly push a hernia back inside, tie it and then remove it. Once this is done, the incised site will be closed up with stitches. In case the hernia is considerably large, the surgeon will use some extra mesh, to keep a hernia in its place.

Medical advancements have made it possible and quite easy to perform hernia repair surgeries, with minimal pain. Hence, if you notice even a faint sign of a hernia, make sure that you consult a doctor and get the right treatment.

Hernia Repair Surgery - What Should You Know?

When an organ residing in a cavity such as the abdomen tries to push through the muscular layer it resides in, it is called as hernia. 

Though said to be genetic, hernias can be caused by things such as improper heavy lifting, incorrect posture, or chronic constipation and as a result of surgical complication or injury. Factors like obesity, pregnancy, smoking, chronic lung disease aggravate the severity of the hernia. It is believed that about 27% of all males and 3% of females can have a hernia during their lifetime.

Types of hernias:

Inguinal hernia: The groin is the most common area, where the abdomen pushes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal wall, causing a protrusion into the inguinal canal. This is more common in men than women.

Hiatal hernia: The abdomen has the diaphragm separating it from the thoracic cavity in the upper border. When it pushes through the diaphragm, a hernia is caused and there is almost always associated food reflux in these cases. Though the most common cause is associated old age, due to muscle weakness, there also are cases of congenital hiatal hernias.

Umbilical hernia: The abdomen finds a weak layer along its length and protrudes through the skin on the stomach. Most commonly seen in babies around the bellybutton, it gradually corrects itself on its own. Quiet rare in adults, seen during pregnancy and in chronic obese people.

Incisional: These are post-surgical, and happen when the organ protrudes through the weakened wall due to surgery. The abdomen is again the most common area and the hernia can happen either onto the external surface or internally, when they are called ventral hernias.

These are the most frequent types, though hernia affects other organs like the spine, brain, appendix, etc.

Treatment
 
This includes a combination of constant monitoring followed by a decision to do surgical treatment. Hiatal hernias and umbilical hernias can be monitored for a while before deciding on surgery. Inguinal hernias may require surgery earlier in the stage. Post-surgery, a mesh is placed to hold back the tissue in its corrected place. The umbilical hernia in children could be self-limiting. If it does not get auto-corrected in the first year of life, that also would qualify for a surgical treatment. Hernias need to be managed under medical supervision.

Hernia - What You Should Know About It?

Favorite of most Indian households, ghee is indeed a superfood. Apart from being widely used in Indian cooking, it has also been used as a remedy for cough and cold. Sadly, due to the misconceptions that surround the use of ghee, it is often underutilized. While some are worried that it may make them put on weight, others feel that it is bad for their heart. Little do they know that these misconceptions are not true, and ghee actually has limitless health benefits.

Let us read on to know more about the benefits that ghee has to offer:

Packed with nutrients: Many-a-times, people love the taste of ghee but have strike it off from the diet owing to popular belief that ghee is unhealthy and fattening. However, the opposite of it is actually true and the short-chain fatty acids found in ghee offer several health benefits and keep your gut healthy. Ghee obtained from grass-fed butter consists of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K. Fats present in ghee are free of oxidized cholesterol, trans-fats and hydrogenated oils, thus, the fat present in pure ghee is healthy.
Great for immunity and bone strengthening: Including ghee in your daily breakfast not only boosts your physical and mental strength, but also ensures that your body stays fit and gains the potential to fight against several illnesses. Being a rich source of fat soluble vitamins, ghee supports in the growth and development of bones. It is also known to strengthen your muscles and tendons.
Lowers cholesterol: It is considered as an excellent option for people with high cholesterol levels. Since ghee contains Vitamin K2, it prevents plaque formation in the arteries, which in turn prevents the blockag that may obstruct blood flow and lead to complication. It also increases the level of good cholesterol and lowers the level of bad cholesterol in the blood.
Promotes weight loss: An excellent source of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), is known to boost the metabolism which in turn promotes weight loss. It also improves digestion, makes you feel full and increases the oxidation of fat; all of which help in reducing weight.
How to differentiate if the ghee is pure or not?

Ghee is stocked in every Indian household, but the thought of whether it is pure or not often crosses our minds. Adulterated ghee may contain vegetable oils and other greasy elements which are bad for your heart and health. So, here are some methods that can help you check the purity of your ghee at home.

Pure ghee normally melts at body temperature. You can check it by putting a spoon of ghee on your palm if it melts then it is pure, if not, it is best to get rid of it.
Pure ghee melts within seconds and turns brown when heated. If the ghee takes longer to melt and appears light yellow in color, it is impure.

It has been established that ghee is indeed good for your health, but only if it is pure. The simple tests mentioned above can help you determine whether the ghee is pure or not. So, eat safe and stay healthy!

Ghee In Your Daily Diet - Did You Know It Has More Benefits Than You Can Think Of?

What do we mean by a hiatal hernia?

The hiatus is an opening in the diaphragm (the muscular wall) which separates the chest cavity from the abdomen. Normally, the esophagus (food pipe) goes through the hiatus and attaches to the stomach. In a hiatal hernia, the stomach bulges up into the chest through that opening.

What does statistical data say about a hiatal hernia?

Statistically, approximately 60% of individuals who are above age 50 or older have a hiatal hernia.

In which age group is hiatal hernia very common?

The incidence of hiatal hernias increases with age. It is commonly seen in the older age people specifically in people who are above 50. 

What are the causes of hiatal hernia?

The most common risk factors are as follows: 

Obesity Congenital deformities, such as scoliosis
Certain types of surgery
Major trauma
Conditions which causes an increase in abdominal pressure within the abdomen, such as heavy lifting, or bending over, frequent or violent coughing, violent sneezing, violent vomiting, and straining during bowel movements
What are the types of a hiatal hernia?

There are four types of a hiatal hernia and they are as follows:

Sliding hiatal hernia: This is the most common variant of a hiatal hernia. It occurs when your stomach and esophagus slide into and out of your chest through the hiatus. It is usually asymptomatic.
Fixed hiatal hernia: It is also known as a paraesophageal hernia. In a fixed hernia, part of the stomach pushes through diaphragm and stays there.
Type III hiatal hernia: In this type, as a hernia goes on increasing, the phrenoesophageal ligament stretches and displaces the gastroesophageal junction above the diaphragm
Type IV hiatal hernia: Type IV hiatal hernia includes a large defect in the phrenoesophageal ligament causing other organs, such as colon, spleen, pancreas and small intestine to enter the hernia sac.
What are the sign and symptoms of hiatal hernia?

Common symptoms include:

Heartburn
Chest pain or epigastric pain, coughing
Difficulty in swallowing
Belching, eructation, and hiccups
How to diagnose the condition?

To diagnose this condition following tests or procedures are included:

X-ray of the chest and abdomen Barium follow-through examination of gastrointestinal tract (GI) to visualize GI tract.
Upper endoscopy for examining the esophagus and stomach from inside Esophageal manometry for measuring the rhythmic muscular contractions of esophagus while swallowing, and also, measuring the force exerted by the muscles of esophagus.
What is the treatment available for it?

It includes medications and surgery which are as follows:

Antacids to neutralize stomach acid and to reduce acid production
Medications that heal the esophagus 
Surgery of opening of diaphragm to make it smaller and for reconstruction of an esophageal sphincter

Hiatal Hernia - How Is it Diagnosed?

The first commandment of healthy living is to eat plenty of fresh fruits. However, did you know that some fruits are healthier than others? Fruits do not have any added sugars but many fruits are rich in natural sugar. However, here are 11 fruits which have lowest sugar content.

Limes and lemons: Limes and lemons are known as sour fruits. While they are rich in vitamin C, they do not contain a lot of sugar. Freshly squeezed lime juice and hot water is the perfect drink to curb your appetite and raise metabolism.
Raspberries: Raspberries are rich in fiber but have only a little more than a teaspoon of sugar per cup. This makes them the perfect fruit to start the day with.
Strawberries: Strawberries may taste sweet but a cup of fresh strawberries has only about 7 grams of sugar. However, a cup of strawberries has enough vitamin C to take care of your daily requirements.
Blackberries: A cup of these berries also has minimal sugar. Along with fiber, these fruits are also rich in antioxidants. These berries also help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other such conditions.
Kiwi: Did you know that kiwis are technically berries? Each kiwi has less than 6 grams of sugar but is very rich in vitamin C.
Grapefruit: A grapefruit is a perfect breakfast. These citrus fruits are rich in fiber and low in sugar. Half a grapefruit contains only 52 calories and minimal sugar. They are also rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium.
Avocado: Avocados are naturally low in their sugar content. One raw avocado has less than a gram of sugar. However, they are full of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and potassium.
Watermelon: Summer would be incomplete without watermelons. Though they taste sweet, watermelons are very low in sugar. A cup of watermelon has less than 10 grams of sugar.
Cantaloupe: Cantaloupes are rich in vitamin A but a cup of this fruit has only about 14 grams of sugar. They are also rich in vitamin B, magnesium and fiber.
Oranges: Eating an orange is the best way to boost our vitamin C levels and keep infections away. One orange typically contains less than 70 calories and 12 grams of sugar.
Peaches: A medium sized peach has less than 13 grams of sugar. This is an example of how taste can be deceptive when it comes to calories.
Given the sugar content in these fruits, it would be a great idea for the diabetics and weight watchers to include them in their diet and have a healthy and hearty meal. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a General Physician.

11 Best Fruits That Are Low In Sugar Content!

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