How to Cure your Child Umbilical Hernia

Umbilical hernia in children is caused when the belly button pops outwards due to a weakness in the muscles or around belly button. Basically this problem is faced by children who are less than 2 years of age. Generally, no treatment is required for this since it gets healed automatically. However it may require an operation if it does not heal by the time the child is old enough to go to school or hernia causes him discomfort.

You might be pondering over a very important question whether your child needs surgical treatment for hernia. Thus you should consider a few basic key points before making your decision. Often the hernia might get cured on its own.

Your child may need surgery if your child gets over the age of 5. Social or cosmetic reasons can be the other cause you would want to get your child operated. If the umbilical hernia is unusual in appearance then you can get surgery done before the age of 5. Sometimes your child might get an infection or other problems like rupture of hernia, trapping of intestines in the hernia sac and many others. In such a case it is advisable to get umbilical hernia surgery done for your child.

The surgery is regarded as a safe procedure. In this, a small incision is made below the navel. The muscle and connective tissues of the umbilical ring are repaired and finally the incision is repaired. The procedure is carried using general anesthesia. After the surgery, there remains a small scar which is not usually noticeable since it is not noticeable.

On the day of the operation, the child must not eat or drink for about six hours beforehand. You will be enquired about your child’s health and his heart rate as well as blood pressure would be measured. You must also inform the nurse about the allergy which your child night be having. A consent form should also be signed prior to the operation.

The operation takes about only 20 to 30 minutes. During the operation the contents of the bulge are pushed back into the abdomen. Usually this is done through open surgery. Due to the influence of the anesthesia, the child may feel less pain after the operation is done. The anesthesia can be administered to the child using injection or by applying gel to the area.

After the surgery is done, it would require your child to recover from the entire process. You can provide your child with pain killers like Calpol or paracetamol. However you must ask for your doctor’s advice before administering any medication to your child. Certain precautions have to be taken to take care of your child. Your child will not have to involve in certain activities like going to school, or shouldn’t ride a bike or swim for a week.

I am sure taking care of all the above points would help in getting the best. Talking to your doctor and seeking his advice will help you.

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