{"id":880,"date":"2017-06-22T09:06:33","date_gmt":"2017-06-22T09:06:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=880"},"modified":"2021-03-12T14:19:31","modified_gmt":"2021-03-12T14:19:31","slug":"13-common-symptoms-hernia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/13-common-symptoms-hernia\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Most Common Symptoms of a Hernia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A hernia is a highly painful condition that is caused by an internal organ pushing through an opening in the muscles and tissues that usually hold it in place. Often this is due to weakened abdominal walls or other areas but hernias can also affect other areas and for other reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most hernias aren\u2019t immediately life threatening but they will not go away if left untreated. They tend to cause immense blinding pain and for that reason, it is highly important that you see a doctor if you suspect you might be suffering from one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So the question that follows then, is how you tell if you have a hernia and what the most common signs and symptoms are. If you notice any of these signs, then make sure that you go and see a doctor immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.  Bulge in the Lower Abdomen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a painful bulge in your lower abdomen, then there is a good chance that this might be caused by a hernia<\/a>. This is the most common form of hernia in fact, known as inguinal hernia, which accounts for roughly 70% of all hernias.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This form of hernia is most common in men and if the appearance of the bulge is relatively sudden, the a hernia is by far the most likely diagnosis. It will often have occurred during exercise or movement, which can cause a tear or damage in the abdomen. However, it can also appear seemingly out of nowhere, so don\u2019t rule out this possibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>2.  Bulge in the Groin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, inguinal hernias can appear as bulges in the groin<\/a>. This is the precise same process except the precise spot is slightly different, affecting the inguinal canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inguinal canal is found near the groin and is the area the spermatic cord passes through from the abdomen to the scrotum. This cord is, among other things, responsible for holding up the testicles in men and the uterus in women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of hernia as mentioned is most common in men and the reason for this is that a man\u2019s testicles will descend after birth and in some cases, the canal will not completely close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This leaves the area weakened and exposed to hernias, which is one reason they can occur with no obvious \u2018trigger\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>3.  Reflux<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A hernia might also cause the stomach to protrude upwards through the diaphragm and into the chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The diaphragm of course is the sheet of muscle that is responsible for breathing and it is found along the divide between the abdomen and the chest. Thus, you might not actually notice a lump in this case making it harder to spot and diagnose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the clue in this case is more likely to be gastrointestinal distress and reflux<\/a>. This is caused by the stomach leaking its contents back into the esophagus, causing burning and causing the food to be brought back up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This form of hernia is most commonly experienced by those over 50 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>4.  Difficulty Breathing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The type of hernia just described is known as a hiatal hernia and of course this can cause other complications as well. For example, if the hernia is placing pressure on the lungs and\/or the diaphragm<\/a>, then it might cause difficulty breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This could make it hard to feel as though you have inhaled enough air or it might make it harder to breathe in in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice this alongside reflux and you are over 50, then a hernia becomes a distinct possibility. The key when self-diagnosing these conditions is to focus on quick changes and to look at groups of symptoms together rather than in an isolated fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5.  Bulge Near the Belly Button<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While you might think of hernias as something that only really affect older men, the reality is that they can affect anyone and in a large range of different ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, you might notice that a young baby (6 months or less) has a bulge around their belly button. This is referred to as an umbilical hernia<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the only kind of hernia that goes away on its own, but it may take until the child is one year old. If at this point the bulge is still present, then a doctor might recommend surgery to treat it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6.  Bulge Through a Scar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As we\u2019ve seen, hernias are caused by weakened muscles and tissues that then allow organs to \u2018push through\u2019 and create unsightly and painful lumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that anything that causes the area to become weakened can actually cause the hernia to be more likely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that any abdominal surgery \u2013 such as a cesarean<\/a> \u2013 may cause a hernia in that spot. This is called incisional hernia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>7.  Bulge on the Leg<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is also possible for a hernia to be present on the legs and the lower groin. This type of hernia is called a femoral hernia <\/a>and results in a bulge around the thigh in most cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This form of hernia is most likely in women and is more common in women who have been over weight or who have been pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>8.  The Bulge Moves<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are suffering from any of these conditions, or someone you know is, then you might notice that the bulge can appear to move sometimes. For example, in umbilical hernias, a young child\u2019s bulge might actually appear to change shape as they cry and as they move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This occurs as the muscles<\/a> and organs shift around and it can demonstrate that the condition is caused by an internal organ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, you will also be able to push a hernia \u2018back in\u2019 to its original position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9.  Pain During Bowel Movements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Often anything that causes us to use force and to tense our muscles can result in blinding pain around the area of the hernia. While it\u2019s not a particularly nice thought, this includes shifting heavy bowel movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other similar triggers might include sneezing<\/a> for instance or laughing in a big way. Eating can also cause pain. This can cause a blinding pain that might be enough to cause you to double over or to have to stop whatever you are doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try to notice triggers such as these when trying to identify a hernia in a love one, particularly young children who aren\u2019t able to tell you what\u2019s going on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>10.  Pain When Moving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Of course, any kind of movement might also trigger pain<\/a> if you suffer from a hernia. In particular, bending can be very painful for a large range of different types of hernia and this is very often what will trigger the hernia in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you feel intense pain when lifting something, then this is another sign that you may have a hernia. Again, this is a blinding kind of pain and not the sort that you might not notice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember to look at the different symptoms together and if you notice that you have this blinding pain, that it is relatively new and that the symptoms are worst when bending, lifting or straining \u2013 then hernia is a likely cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>11.  Fever and Vomiting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, a hernia may get trapped in the abdominal wall, in which case you wouldn\u2019t be able to push it back in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is called an incarcerated hernia but the danger is that it can become strangled at which point they can cut off blood supply to the intestines or other organs. At this point, other symptoms can become apparent which include nausea<\/a>, vomiting, intense pain and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you suspect you may have a strangulated hernia, then it is crucial that you see a GP quickly. Failure to act may result in part of the intestine being lost and this condition can even be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>12.  Tiredness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hernias can certainly take their toll on you and make you feel tired, lethargic<\/a> and generally spent. This is particularly true at the end of the day when you might also feel a dull aching in the area, especially if you have been standing for a lot of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, many people describe feeling a kind of \u2018heaviness\u2019 in the affected region. While this is difficult to explain, it makes sense that the area surrounding a protruding organ might feel unusual. Likewise, the muscle and tissue holding said organ in place will also feel different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once again, it is important to look for changes in the way you usually feel. If you are more tired than normal, this is always worth getting checked out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>13.  Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not symptoms or signs as such, but reasons to be on the look out. Risk factors are things that make you more likely to suffer from a hernia and if you fall into any of these categories, then you should be even more suspicious of the obvious symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Risk factors include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Surgery (especially abdominal)
– Constipation<\/a>
– Pregnancy
– Obesity
– Age
– Smoking
– Steroid use
– Coughing
– Heavy lifting\/jobs or hobbies that involve heavy lifting<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>14. Feeling Full<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People experiencing a hiatal hernia may notice that they start to feel full after only eating a fraction of what they usually would in a sitting. This symptom occurs due to the hernia allowing the stomach <\/a>to pass through the esophageal sphincter, the tight band of tissue surrounding the esophagus, that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the affected individual notices that they may also develop symptoms of reflux after eating, as the gastric fluids enter the esophagus. Surgeons repair the hernia, and the individual will no longer receive these symptoms. However, many people confuse a hiatal hernia with symptoms of GERD and therefore do not seek the treatment they need to repair the damage.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hiatal hernia is not a life-threatening condition, but it can be an uncomfortable condition to live with, and if the affected individual does not seek treatment, symptoms will continue to escalate.<\/span><\/wp-block><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>15. Pain After Eating<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People suffering from a hernia of the abdominal lining may notice that they experience pain symptoms during or after eating. These symptoms occur due to the stomach pultruding through the abdominal wall, and the person may see a small bump appear somewhere on their abdomen. As food digests, the hernia retreats into the abdominal wall, until the next meal.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surgeons fix this type of hernia with surgery to sew up the tear in the abdominal lining, and most patients receive a full recovery after taking sufficient time to rest and recover. During the recovery period, it\u2019s vital that you do everything possible to accelerate the healing process. Eliminate foods that induce inflammation from your diet. These foods include refined carbohydrates, such as sugary foods and soda.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Focus your diet on consuming healthy sources of fat and lean protein<\/a>. This strategy will help your muscle tissues repair themselves and heal your hernia permanently.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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