A hernia is an ailment that occurs when the internal organs, tissues, or intestines push through an opening in the muscle or tissue leading to hernia pain.
For an individual, this medical condition can cause mild to severe pain in the affected area with a hernia bulge. You may also experience pain on lifting heavy objects or bending over. You can consult your doctor if you experience pain or any symptoms.
An Abdominal hernia is the most common medical condition among all age groups. Although men above 40 years are prone to have a hernia. A few people are born with weak abdominal muscles or tissues that may develop hernia later in life.
Hernia Symptoms
An individual can have a hernia without any pain. You may notice a bulge as an initial sign in the affected area. You can recognize the hernia bulge when you cough or jump. It may disappear when you lie down. There are other symptoms of a hernia, which may include:
- Constipation
- Sharp shooting pain
- Coughing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Problem in swallowing
- Acid reflux
- A feeling of pressure on the impacted area
- Problems swallowing
- Coughing
Different Types of Hernias
A hernia can be determined based on the place it develops in the body.
Inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia develops in the abdomen near the groin area. An Inguinal hernia happens when a small part of the intestinal tissues pushes through the abdominal wall into the groin area.
An inguinal hernia is categorized into two types:
- Direct Inguinal Hernia: It happens at any age in adults and occurs through a weak spot located in the lower muscle of the belly.
- Indirect Inguinal Hernia: It happens due to a birth defect in the abdominal wall that has been present since birth. It is common among children, newborns, and premature babies
Femoral hernia
The femoral hernia appears as a bulge close to the groin area. Femoral hernias generally happen when a part of a tissue pushes through a weak spot or a tear in the abdomen. This can obstruct the blood supply to the herniated bowel.
Umbilical hernia
An umbilical hernia occurs when part of the intestine tissue pushes through a small opening in the abdominal muscle close to the belly button. Umbilical hernias are common in infants however they can also develop in adults.
Incisional hernia
Incisional hernias generally occur when tissue protrudes from the surgical site scar that is yet to heal. This sort of hernia has less severe complications as compared to other types of hernias. Your doctor will suggest surgery to repair the hernia.
Epigastric hernia
An epigastric hernia develops when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall located above the belly button and below the sternum of the rib cage. It is generally common in males.
What are the causes of a hernia?
Generally, the causes of a hernia may vary by looking at the types of hernia. However, the common reason among all hernias is weakened abdominal muscles or tissues. There are risk factors that can increase the possibility of developing a hernia including:
- Lifting heavy items
- Continuous pressure on the abdomen due to diarrhea, coughing, or sneezing
- Smoking
Hernia Diagnosis
An individual should consult the doctor if notices any abnormal lump or feels severe hernia symptoms such as hernia pain. Your doctor can help diagnose a hernia through physical examination. Your PCP can also prescribe some tests to understand the present medical condition and hernia, which include:
- CT Scan and Ultrasound
- Barium X-rays to check the digestive system and intestines
- Endoscopy is used to examine the esophagus and stomach
Hernia Treatments and Surgery
After an examination of your overall health and hernia, your doctor can recommend hernia repair surgery. They will also suggest you make some changes in your lifestyle such as a healthy diet and regular exercise to examine further changes in the body. Your PCP will also prescribe some medicines to control the symptoms of hernia.
In case medicines don’t work your doctor may recommend hernia surgery. There are two types of hernia repair surgery that your doctor can recommend, that include:
- Open Hernia Repair Surgery – In this procedure, the surgeon makes one large incision to repair a hernia.
- Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery – It is also known as minimally invasive surgery. In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon makes small incisions to insert the laparoscope and other special surgical tools to repair a hernia.
At times, the surgeon also uses hernia mesh to provide extra support to tissues and muscles. There might be a possibility that a hernia can reoccur after surgery. You can contact your doctor if you experience consistent hernia pain.
Conclusion
Your healthcare provider will examine your health and suggest your treatment options to help manage pain effectively which require awareness and timely action. If you leave your hernia untreated it may escalate the complications which can cause significant discomfort or even life-threatening conditions.
A timely intervention and accurate diagnosis through a medical expert can help treat hernia symptoms. Your doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination and may suggest some imaging tests such as CT scans to assess the condition. It is also important to make certain dietary and lifestyle adjustments to manage the symptoms.
Although, hernia treatment may range from medications to surgical interventions such as laparoscopic hernia surgery or open surgery. Your doctor can suggest the best possible treatment options after the examination of your health. So, it is highly recommended to consult your doctor at the first sign of persistent pain to avoid any future complications.
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For more information on Hernia Repair Surgery or Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery Texas. You can contact our healthcare expert today at +1(817) 748-0200.
Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Valeria Simone MD
Board-certified General Surgeon at Southlake General Surgery, Texas, USA.
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References:
- Hernia: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000960.htm
- Inguinal Hernia. (2021, December 9). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/inguinal-hernia
- LeBLANC, K. E., LeBLANC, L. L., & LeBLANC, K. A. (2013, June 15). Inguinal Hernias: Diagnosis and Management. AAFP. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2013/0615/p844.html
- Haladu, N., Alabi, A., Brazzelli, M., Imamura, M., Ahmed, I., Ramsay, G., & Scott, N. W. (2022). Open versus laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia: an overview of systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials. Surgical Endoscopy, 36(7), 4685–4700. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-022-09161-6
- familydoctor.org. (2023, November 17). What Is A Hernia? – Hernia Symptoms | familydoctor.org. https://familydoctor.org/condition/hernia/