Brief Answer:
Umbilical hernia not causes constipation

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM

You are concerned that a umbilical hernia would cause constipation or indigestion. An umbilical hernia is a small opening or weak area in the abdominal muscle wall around the belly button. This can get large enough that bowel or other abdominal contents can slide into the hernia and become strangulated. This would cause significant pain, nausea vomiting. This an emergent issue and needs to be seen right away and treated with surgery.

in your case you have no pain. Therefore there is no bowel contents inside the hernia. The constipation is caused by something else like poor fiber diet, dehydration, decreased activity, or medication. It is important to treat your constipation with stool softeners and fiber laxatives to help reduce the pressure while having a bowel movement. Straining to have a bowel movement can cause the hernia to increase in size or force bowel contents into the hernia.

Indigestion is another problem usually from increase acid production in the stomach. This is not related to umbilical hernia either. I recommend using zantac or omeprazole to reduce your indigestion

In summary
1. umbilical hernias do not cause pain unless there is strangulation
2. umbilical hernias do not cause constipation or indigestion
3. treat constipation with stool softeners or fiber laxatives
4. Do not strain to have bowel movements as this can cause increased hernia size
5. Use Zantac or omeprazole to treat indigestion

I hope I answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care questions and concerns

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