A hernia happens when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall. It often causes little to no symptoms but you may notice a swelling or lump in your abdomen or groin. Other locations you may get a hernia includes your lower chest through your diaphragm, and through a former abdominal surgery incision.
Most hernias are not serious but they can be, they can also become more serious over time. A hernia becomes serious when it gets stuck in the hole it is pushed through and is unable to go back in. This can cause pain and in severe cases, the tissue may become cut off from blood, causing tissue death.
Coughing or straining may make the lump appear, though it may disappear when you are lying down. Most hernias may eventually need surgery.
Types of Hernia
Inguinal Hernias: This is a common type of hernia that typically affects men. It occurs when fatty tissue or a part of your bowel pokes through your groin at the top of your inner thigh.
Femoral Hernias: This hernia also happens when fatty tissue or part of your bowel pokes through into your ground at the top of your inner thigh. It tends to affect women more than men are is associated with ageing and repeated strain of the stomach.
Umbilical Hernias: This hernia happens when fatty tissue or part of your bowel pokes through your stomach, near your belly button. It may occur in babies if the opening in the tummy the umbilical cord passes through does not seal properly after birth.
Hiatus Hernias: This happens when part of the stomach pushes up into your chest by squeezing through an opening in the diaphragm. This type of hernia may not have noticeable symptoms, though it may cause heartburn in some people.
Not all hernias cause symptoms and different types of hernias may cause different symptoms. One telltale sign of a hernia is a visible lump that appears during certain activities or when you are holding a certain physical position.
You may also experience pressure, a dull ache, or a sharp pain when the hernia comes through the opening. If you have frequent discomfort, you should seek medical attention. Other symptoms may include:
A hernia happens when a weakness or preexisting opening in your muscle or connective tissue allows an organ or other tissue to push through. This weakness or opening may sometimes be present at birth, but usually, it develops during your lifestime. A traumatic injury, surgery or repetitive stress injury may also cause a hernia.
You may be more likely to acquire a hernia if you:
There is no definitive way to prevent hernias but there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of developing one, such as:
Physical examination
Depending on the type of hernia, a simple physical exam where your healthcare provider may be able to see or feel the hernia may be enough.
Imaging Tests
Some hernias may require a soft tissue imaging, such as a CT scan, to diagnose.
