What is a hernia above the belly button called?
A hernia above the belly button is often called an epigastric hernia when the swelling is in the upper midline between the breastbone and the navel. It is one type of ventral hernia, but examination is needed because not every upper-abdomen lump is a hernia.
An epigastric hernia is a bulge through a weak area in the upper abdominal wall, usually between the sternum and the belly button. It may contain fatty tissue and, less commonly, other abdominal contents.
Fast decision rule: a small, soft, reducible upper-midline swelling can usually be reviewed in planned OPD. A painful stuck swelling, vomiting, fever, red or dark color change, abdominal bloating, constipation or inability to pass gas needs urgent medical care.
How is an epigastric hernia different from an umbilical hernia?
An epigastric hernia is above the belly button, while an umbilical hernia is at or very close to the navel. Patients often describe both as a belly-button-area swelling, so the exact location should be checked by a surgeon before assuming the type.
The American College of Surgeons describes epigastric hernia as a ventral hernia from just below the breastbone to the navel, and umbilical hernia as occurring in the belly-button area: https://www.facs.org/for-patients/the-day-of-your-surgery/ventral-hernia-repair/.
Simple comparison: swelling at the navel points toward umbilical hernia; swelling in the midline above the navel points toward epigastric hernia; swelling at an old operation scar may be incisional hernia; groin swelling needs inguinal or femoral hernia review.
What symptoms can an epigastric hernia cause?
An epigastric hernia may cause a visible or touchable lump above the belly button, dull ache, pressure, pulling, sharp pain while coughing, lifting or straining, or discomfort that becomes clearer later in the day. Some small hernias cause little pain at first.
Cleveland Clinic notes that an epigastric hernia may show as a bulge between the breastbone and belly button, may come and go, and may cause dull ache or sharp pain with coughing, lifting or straining: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/epigastric-hernia.
Do not rely on pain severity alone. A small painless swelling can still be a hernia, and upper abdominal pain can also come from acidity, muscle strain, gallbladder disease or other conditions. The useful next step is diagnosis-first consultation.
When is a lump above the belly button urgent?
A lump above the belly button is urgent if it becomes painful and stuck, suddenly larger, hard, tender, red, purple, dark, hot, or comes with vomiting, fever, abdominal swelling, constipation, inability to pass gas, fainting, confusion or a very unwell patient.
MedlinePlus says a hernia can become trapped or strangulated, with warning symptoms such as sudden pain, nausea and vomiting, and needs urgent care: https://medlineplus.gov/hernia.html. NIDDK gives similar immediate-care guidance for hernia warning signs such as a bulge that no longer goes back, fever, redness, sudden pain, vomiting, bloating and bowel obstruction symptoms: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/inguinal-hernia.
Do not repeatedly force a painful stuck swelling back. Do not wait overnight for a routine appointment if the patient looks unwell. Call the treating hospital, go to emergency care or use local emergency services first.
Can acidity or gas feel like an epigastric hernia?
Acidity, gas and muscle strain can cause upper-abdomen discomfort, but they usually do not create a cough-related bulge through the abdominal wall. A swelling that appears while standing, coughing or straining and reduces while lying down should be checked for hernia.
Cleveland Clinic specifically notes that acid reflux is more associated with hiatal hernia, while epigastric hernia usually causes a bulge or upper-abdomen pain rather than heartburn itself: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/epigastric-hernia.
Practical checklist: note the exact location, whether a bulge is visible, whether it increases on coughing, whether it reduces at rest, whether food changes the pain, whether vomiting or fever is present, and whether there has been previous abdominal surgery.
What reports should you carry for a surgeon consultation?
Carry ultrasound or CT reports if already done, previous abdominal surgery papers, discharge summaries, medicine list, diabetes and BP records, blood thinner details, allergy history, and a short symptom timeline. If no test has been done, examination may still be the first step.
Useful notes reduce effort during the visit: when the swelling started, what makes it appear, whether it goes back while lying down, whether pain is increasing, what lifting or gym activity is planned, and whether cough or constipation is ongoing.
For Bhopal patients, Dr. Rajesh Kanungo evaluates upper-abdomen, navel, groin and incisional hernia symptoms at R.K. Hospital, Indrapuri. Stable patients can discuss /services/hernia-surgery and /services/laparoscopic-surgery options after examination. Warning signs should use emergency care first.
Is surgery always needed for an epigastric hernia?
Surgery is not decided from the phrase "epigastric hernia" alone. The decision depends on size, pain, reducibility, growth, work demands, previous surgery, medical fitness, risk of obstruction, patient preference and surgeon assessment.
The American College of Surgeons patient guidance says watchful waiting may be an option for adults with reducible, comfortable ventral hernias, while operation is the only way to repair a hernia and pain or size can increase: https://www.facs.org/media/zq4hddzo/ventral_hernia.pdf.
Decision table: small soft reducible swelling means planned review; painful or growing swelling means earlier consultation; previous surgery scar swelling means bring old papers; painful stuck swelling with vomiting, fever, color change, bloating or constipation means emergency care first.
Which related hernia guides should you read next?
If the swelling is at the navel, read /articles/umbilical-hernia-symptoms-adults-bhopal. If the swelling is in the groin, read /articles/inguinal-hernia-symptoms-men-bhopal or /articles/hernia-symptoms-in-women-bhopal. If a previous repair site is swelling again, read /articles/recurrent-hernia-after-surgery-bhopal.
If the main question is repair planning, /articles/hernia-mesh-repair-bhopal explains why mesh may be discussed, and /articles/hernia-surgery-recovery-time-bhopal helps frame rest, lifting and work-return questions. If the swelling is painful and stuck, /articles/strangulated-hernia-symptoms-bhopal is the red-flag checklist.
The specific CTA is simple: book a diagnosis-first hernia consultation if the patient is stable, and choose emergency care first for severe pain, vomiting, fever, color change, bowel obstruction symptoms or a very unwell patient.
Which medical sources support this guide?
This article is patient education, not a diagnosis, prescription, surgical quote, emergency triage tool or replacement for examination. It was cross-checked against Cleveland Clinic epigastric hernia guidance at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/epigastric-hernia, Cleveland Clinic hernia type guidance at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15757-hernia, American College of Surgeons ventral hernia patient guidance at https://www.facs.org/for-patients/the-day-of-your-surgery/ventral-hernia-repair/ and https://www.facs.org/media/zq4hddzo/ventral_hernia.pdf, MedlinePlus hernia information at https://medlineplus.gov/hernia.html, and NIDDK inguinal hernia emergency guidance at https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/inguinal-hernia.
These sources support the same conservative message: a bulge above the belly button may be an epigastric or ventral hernia, but proper examination is needed; a painful stuck bulge, vomiting, fever, color change, bloating or bowel obstruction symptoms should not be managed by online reading.
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Common questions
What is a hernia above the belly button?
A hernia above the belly button is often an epigastric hernia, which is a type of ventral hernia in the upper midline between the breastbone and navel. A surgeon should examine the lump to confirm the cause.
Can an epigastric hernia cause acidity?
An epigastric hernia usually causes a bulge, ache or cough-related pain rather than acidity itself. Heartburn is more often discussed with hiatal hernia or reflux. Examination is needed if symptoms overlap.
When should I worry about an upper-abdomen hernia?
Worry and seek urgent care if the swelling is painful and stuck, red, purple or dark, or if there is vomiting, fever, abdominal swelling, constipation, inability to pass gas, fainting or a very unwell patient.
Which doctor should I consult for epigastric hernia in Bhopal?
A general and laparoscopic surgeon can examine the swelling, confirm whether it is epigastric, umbilical, incisional or another condition, and explain observation, open repair or laparoscopic repair options.