What are the methods of Screening & Diagnosis?

To diagnose umbilical hernia, your doctor will enquire about your symptoms and your medical history.

Physical examination is generally conducted for determining the size and prominence of the umbilical hernia. Your bulge will be examined when you are standing and lying down. Your doctor may try to reduce the bulge by pushing it inside your abdomen, and will ask you to cough to see if there is any change in size of the bulge.

Your doctor may also order blood tests and imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis:

• Imaging tests such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computer tomography (CT) scan may be ordered to determine that part of the internal organ that is protruding into the bulge.
• Blood tests may be ordered to confirm a strangulated hernia by checking the white blood cell and red blood cell count. Infection, inflammation, tissue death or bleeding can be detected with blood tests.