clinical features

Last reviewed 01/2018

The clinical features of an acquired umbilical hernia include:

  • five times more common in women than in men
  • more common in middle age - especially the ages 35-50
  • sharp pain on coughing or straining
  • dragging or aching sensation - especially large hernias
  • gastro-intestinal symptoms due to traction on stomach or transverse colon
  • transient intestinal colic caused by subacute intestinal obstruction
  • steady increase in size
  • hernia soon becomes irreducible as a result of omental adhesions within the sac
  • skin changes with large hernias:
    • intertrigo
    • necrosis
  • strangulation is common in adults but not children