5 Signs You Have a Hernia (and what to do about it!)

Today you will discover what Signs to look when You Have a Hernia and what to do about it!

Worried you might have seriously injured yourself lifting something heavy?

Can’t seem to get rid of bothersome acid reflux?

You might want to consider whether you have developed a hernia or not.

Advertisement

What is a Hernia?

Medically speaking, a hernia occurs when an internal organ, like the intestines, actually protrudes through the lining of tissue which is supposed to keep it intact. That includes the abdominal wall and even the diaphragm. Hernias can either develop quickly and without warning, or over an extended amount of time. Weakness and damage to connective tissues meant to hold organs in place typically results from injury, chronic coughing, older age, congenital defects, or surgery.

If you’re worried about developing a hernia, keep an eye out for these 5 warning signs:

Visible Bulge

When it comes to the most common type of hernia, an inguinal hernia, the most standout symptom will literally stand out. A visible bulge under the skin around the abdomen or groin area may be tender, burn or ache. Coupled with additional symptoms like mild to severe discomfort when bending over, coughing, lifting, or laughing, as well as a dragging or heavy feeling in feeling in your groin, a hernia can result in weakness and pressure at the site of the bulge.

Heartburn

While heartburn and acid reflux can result simply from stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, when accompanied by difficulty swallowing, belching, abdominal pain, feeling super full, or even vomiting blood, chances are you might have a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia happens when your stomach actually protrudes up into your chest cavity through the opening meant to allow the esophagus through the diaphragm down into the stomach, the hiatus.

Skin Discoloration

If a visible lump appears discolored and dark, red, or purple, this may indicate an inguinal hernia has become strangulated. This means that blood flow to the section of trapped organ tissue protruding through the abdominal wall has been cut off. In addition to discoloration of a bulge by the pubic bone or abdomen, a strangulated hernia may cause symptoms including sudden and increasing pain, vomiting, nausea, fever, and the inability to pass bowels or gas.

Incisional Swelling

If you have recently had surgery in your abdominal area and are experiencing pain, tenderness, swelling, and fever around the incision site, you may be dealing with an incisional hernia. Occasionally, a surgical wound that isn’t fully healed will be compromised enough to let a loop of intestines poke through, creating a hernia under the skin. This may occur right at your incisional scar or in the weakened tissue surrounding it.

Swollen Belly Button

Most common in infants younger than 6 months, an umbilical hernia occurs under or around the belly button area, resulting from a portion of intestines poking through the abdominal wall near the belly button. In addition to an unexpected bulge, babies might exhibit symptoms including pain, fever, and vomiting. As their abdominal walls strengthen over the next few years, the hernia will typically be pushed back in and correct itself.

How are hernias treated?

Depending on the type and severity of your hernia, surgical intervention may or may not be required. For example, with an inguinal hernia that is not trapped (incarcerated) or strangulated by the surrounding tissue, a doctor might show you how to actually push it back into place and wear the best hernia belt to compress it and keep it in while the weakened tissue repairs itself.

An incarcerated or strangulated hernia on the other hand can require surgical procedures to correct the hernia and reinstate blood flow so the cut off tissue doesn’t die.

The video below shows: 3D medical open procedure.

A hiatal hernia might require dietary modifications to mitigate uncomfortable acid reflux symptoms, or medication to reduce your stomach acid. And incisional hernias following surgery may be addressed with further procedures that place a mesh-like patch to keep the hernia contained while the abdominal wall re-strengthens.

Conclusion

If you experience any of the symptoms above, seek a medical evaluation immediately. Even if there isn’t anything drastic a doctor needs to do to address the hernia right away, it’s best to have it diagnosed and examined to prevent further life-threatening complications.


Comments are closed.