hernia symptoms and when you should seek treatment

Symptoms of a hernia in need of emergency treatment include:

• Severe pain, swelling or redness at the hernia site.
• Hernia bulge growing quickly.
• Nausea and/or vomiting.
• Constipation and/or bloating.
• Fever.

Full Answer

When to seek treatment for common hernia symptoms?

Jun 01, 2019 · Pain or a burning sensation at the site Pain when lifting heavy items A feeling of weakness or pressure in the affected area Hiatal hernias may also cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, acid reflux, and difficulty swallowing. Diagnosis and Treatment Hernias won’t go away if you ignore them. In fact, they’ll get worse over time.

How do you cure a hernia without surgery?

Seek immediate medical attention if you have: A painful bulge that doesn’t reduce in size when you lay down and rest; Worsening pain; Nausea and/or vomiting; Difficulty having a bowel movement; Bloating; Racing heart rate; Fever; For more information about hernias and their treatment, visit the Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Hernia Center.

What is hernia and what are the symptoms?

Symptoms of a hernia in need of emergency treatment include: Severe pain, swelling or redness at the hernia site Hernia bulge growing quickly Nausea and/or …

When should I seek medical help for hernia?

How do you know when a hernia is serious?

How long can a hernia go untreated?

How do you know if hernia is strangulated?

What happens when you ignore a hernia?

How can you live with a hernia without surgery?

Can you live with a hernia for years?

What is the term for a hernia that pushes through the abdomen?

Umbilical hernia: Fatty tissue or part of the intestine pushes through the abdomen near the navel (belly button). Hiatal (hiatus) hernia: Part of the stomach pushes up into the chest cavity through an opening in the diaphragm (the horizontal sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen). Other types of hernias include:

What is a hernia in muscle tissue?

Hernia. A hernia happens when an internal organ pushes through a weak spot in your muscle or tissue. There are several types of hernia that you can experience including, inguinal hernias, femoral hernias, umbilical hernias and hiatal hernias. If you have a hernia, it’s important to treat it quickly.

Why do hernias recur after surgery?

Hernias may recur regardless of the repair operations. This is sometimes caused by inherent tissue weakness or protracted healing. Smoking and obesity are also major risk factors for hernia recurrence.

How do you know if you have a hernia?

More symptoms of a hernia include: Swelling or bulge in the groin or scrotum (the pouch that contains the testicles). Increased pain at the site of the bulge. Pain while lifting.

Which hernia protrudes through the abdomen?

Incisional hernia: Tissue protrudes through the site of an abdominal scar from a remote abdominal or pelvic operation. Epigastric hernia: Fatty tissue protrudes through the abdominal area between the navel and lower part of the sternum (breastbone). Spigelian hernia: The intestine pushes through the abdomen at the side of the abdominal muscle, ...

Where do hernias occur?

Most hernias occur within the abdominal cavity, between the chest and the hips. The most common forms of hernia are: Inguinal hernia: In men, the inguinal canal is a passageway for the spermatic cord and blood vessels leading to the testicles. In women, the inguinal canal contains the round ligament that gives support for the womb.

Which type of hernia is most common in men?

This is the most common type of hernia, and affects men more often than women. Femoral hernia: Fatty tissue or part of the intestine protrudes into the groin at the top of the inner thigh. Femoral hernias are much less common than inguinal hernias and mainly affect older women.

What is a hernia in medical terms?

A hernia is what happens when part of an internal organ or fatty tissue protrudes through the muscle or tissue that usually contains it. In most cases, hernias happen due to a strained or weakened muscle that starts to tear. Symptoms of a hernia can be mistaken for other things but M.D. Express Urgent Care is able to diagnose a hernia and provide the proper guidance for your next steps.

What is an incisional hernia?

Incisional hernia: An incisional hernia involves a weak spot due to a surgical incision. If a hernia occurs there, internal tissues may protrude through the site of the incision.

Where does a femoral hernia occur?

Femoral hernia: Common in older women, femoral hernias occur when part of the intestine or some fatty tissue protrudes into the groin at the top of the inner thigh, near the head of the femur.

Where do hernias occur?

Hernias can occur almost anywhere, but they happen most often in the abdominal area, above the hips and below the chest. Specific types include:

Can a hernia be strangulated?

A strangulated hernia happens when enough of the tissue or internal organ is trapped outside the abdominal muscle that its blood supply is cut off. The visible bulge of the hernia will become firm to the touch. If you suspect a strangulated hernia, rush to the ER for immediate treatment to prevent tissue death.

Can a hernia cause shortness of breath?

Hiatal hernias may also cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, acid reflux, and difficulty swallowing.

What does a ventral hernia feel like?

Q: What Does a Belly or Abdominal (Ventral) Hernia Feel Like? A: If you have a ventral hernia in the belly area, you may see or feel a bulge along the outer surface of the abdomen. Typically, patients with ventral hernias describe mild pain, aching or a pressure sensation at the site of the hernia.

How to tell if a hernia is a hernia?

A: When most hernias start, the internal tissue that pushes through the muscle gap is usually fat. But it’s also possible for part of the bowel to protrude through the opening. The risk of this is very low, but when it happens, it needs emergency repair. Seek immediate medical attention if you have: 1 A painful bulge that doesn’t reduce in size when you lay down and rest 2 Worsening pain 3 Nausea and/or vomiting 4 Difficulty having a bowel movement 5 Bloating 6 Racing heart rate 7 Fever

How long does it take to heal a ventral hernia?

However, repairing more complicated hernias may require a hospital stay of one to five days.

How long does it take to recover from an inguinal hernia surgery?

Minimally invasive robotic surgery (similar to laparoscopy, but surgeons use a controller to move instruments) is also an option. With minimally invasive surgery, patients are back to their regular activity within two weeks. Open surgery is the other treatment option — recovery takes four to six weeks.

What is the thinnest part of the abdominal wall?

Pregnancy is a risk factor that makes women more susceptible to developing another type of ventral hernia near the belly button, called an umbilical hernia. The umbilicus is the thinnest part of the abdominal wall. It’s a very common site to develop a hernia, whether you’re a man or a woman.

Where do hernias occur?

There are different types of hernias, but the most common hernias occur in the belly or groin areas .

Can you get a ventral hernia after abdominal surgery?

A: Anyone can develop a ventral hernia, but those who’ve had abdominal surgery have a higher risk. If you have an incision that disrupts the abdominal wall, the scar will never be as strong as the original tissue. This makes it more likely that you’ll develop a hernia, known as an incisional hernia , along the incision area.

What is the most common symptom of a hernia?

The most common symptom of inguinal, incisional, umbilical and ventral hernias is a painful lump or bulge underneath the skin where the hernia occurs. This can be in the groin or in the abdomen and is caused by intestine or other soft tissue pushing through a weakness or gap in the abdominal wall. Usually, the protrusion is more pronounced ...

How do you know if you have a hernia in your groin?

Symptoms of abdominal or groin hernias include: A bulge or lump in your groin. A pulling sensation in your groin, with or without a bulge.

How to tell if a hernia is strangulated?

Nausea and/or vomiting. Constipation and/or bloating. Fever. If you experience any of the above symptoms of a strangulated hernia, contact your primary care provider as soon as symptoms occur. If you cannot contact your primary care provider, go to the closest emergency room.

What happens when blood supply is cut off?

When blood supply is cut off, a condition known as strangulation, tissue can quickly die or become necrotic and cause a life-th reatening infection that requires immediate surgical removal of the affected intestine. Symptoms of a hernia in need of emergency treatment include:

What to do if you suspect a hernia?

Only a trained health care provider can properly evaluate your condition. If you suspect you have a hernia, contact your primary care provider or a specialist.

Can a hernia cause heartburn?

Hiatal hernias occur when the stomach pushes up into the chest through a small opening in the diaphragm—the muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest—and often do not cause any symptoms aside from mild heartburn. Only a trained health care provider can properly evaluate your condition.

What are the symptoms of a hernia?

Heartburn. A hard time swallowing. Shooting pain. Vomiting. Constipation. Pain and swelling around the testicles. Symptoms of a hiatal hernia may include heartburn and upper abdominal pain.

How do you know if you have a hernia?

In some cases, you may not have any symptoms. For inguinal, femoral, umbilical, and incisional hernias, symptoms may include: An obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or the groin. It may be tender, and it may disappear when you lie down.

What happens if a baby has a hernia?

Hernias are common in kids, especially babies. They can happen when part of their abdominal wall is weak at birth. If your child has one, you’ll usually notice a bulge in their groin area or around their bellybutton. Your baby may also cry a lot and refuse to eat.

What does it mean when you feel a heavy feeling in your stomach?

It may be tender, and it may disappear when you lie down. A heavy feeling in the abdomen that sometimes comes with constipation or blood in the stool. Discomfort in the abdomen or groin when lifting or bending over. A burning or aching sensation at the bulge. Weakness or pressure in your groin.

Can't get hernia to go back in?

Can't get the hernia to go back in or it goes soft; seek medical care right away, as this is an incarcerated hernia and can lead to organ strangulation. Know you have a hernia, and you have symptoms of a strangulated hernia. Seek medical care right away.

Can you push a hernia in?

Strangulated hernia symptoms. Usually, you can push a hernia in. But sometimes, you can’t. It can get stuck in your abdomen. If the trapped part gets cut off, or strangulated, from blood flow, it’s a serious situation and can be life-threatening.

How many people have hernias?

An estimated 5 million Americans have hernias. But only 700,000 have them surgically repaired each year. Why? Some hernias don't cause symptoms and no treatment is needed. But if you are experiencing discomfort and pain, we can help. You don't have to avoid treating your hernia out of fear of surgery and a lengthy recovery.

How many hernias are there in Cleveland Clinic?

Advanced treatment options for hernias. At Cleveland Clinic's Comprehensive Hernia Center, surgeons perform more than 3,000 hernia procedures each year, from routine repairs to the most complex cases.

How do you repair an inguinal hernia?

There are 3 types of inguinal hernia repair: Open hernia repair: A surgical procedure in which an incision, or cut, is made in the groin. The surgeon then pushes the hernia back into the abdomen and strengthens the abdominal wall with mesh and stitches.

What is the term for a bulging muscle in the abdomen?

A hernia is a common condition in which part of an internal organ or tissue bulges through a muscle. An inguinal hernia occurs when the intestines or fat from the abdomen bulge through the lower abdominal wall into the inguinal, or groin, area. Symptoms and treatments are described in this article. Appointments & Access.

Why are inguinal hernias more common in later life?

Hernias can be on one or both sides of the abdomen. Direct inguinal hernias are more common later in life because the abdominal wall weakens with age.

How many types of inguinal hernias are there?

There are 2 types of inguinal hernias:

What to do if you suspect an inguinal hernia?

If you suspect you or your child has an inguinal hernia, you should seek medical attention. If it is not treated, an inguinal hernia can develop into a serious condition.

What is robotic hernia repair?

Robotic hernia repair: Like laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery uses a laparoscope, and is performed in the same manner (small incisions, a tiny camera and projecting the inside of the abdomen onto television screens).

What is the best way to check for a hernia?

An abdominal X-ray or CT scan may be ordered to look for a hernia and determine if it is strangulated or incarcerated.

What is the cause of an inguinal hernia?

Inguinal hernias result from a small part of the bowel pushing through the abdominal wall into the groin area. An inguinal hernia may also contain part of the intestine. There are two different types of inguinal hernias:

Why do my abdominal muscles get herniated?

Besides the causes for specific types of hernia, weakened abdominal muscles and connective tissues are the most common reasons why hernias form. Risk factors that could increase your chances of developing a hernia include:

Why do my hernias bulge?

Hernias can become painful and cause a bulge-like appearance because of additional pressure from bending over or lifting something heavy. It is a good idea to seek advice from a doctor if you find yourself experiencing hernia pain along with other symptoms.

How to tell if a hernia is a hernia?

Symptoms of a hernia include pain, nausea, vomiting, bowel obstruction, and fever. Hernias are diagnosed by a physical exam and imaging tests. Some hernias may be held in place with a supportive belt. Other hernias require surgical repair. The prognosis of people who undergo elective hernia repair tends to be good.

What is a hernia?

A hernia is a medical condition when organs, tissues, or intestines start pushing through their surrounding connective tissues. While hernias typically occur in the abdominal wall, they can also appear in other parts of the body. ...

Why does my abdomen hurt?

Abdominal pain is a symptom of many possible conditions including appendicitis, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, and other conditions. It may accompany constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms. Find out the potential causes of pain in the abdomen and learn when you should see a doctor.

How to diagnose a hernia?

They may be able to detect the hernia by performing a physical exam. They may also order additional tests to determine the extent of your current condition, including: