Procedures
You could have a direct inguinal hernia if you:
- Hurt when you cough, bend, or lift something heavy
- Feel pressure, weakness, heaviness, or a dragging sensation in your groin
- Have swelling around your testicles
- Feel a burning or aching sensation at the hernia’s bulge
Nutrition
- A bulge in your groin area: If so, you may have a direct or indirect hernia.
- You will see swelling in the lower part of your abdomen that extends down toward or even into your scrotum.
- A bulge on the thigh below your groin: This is most likely a femoral hernia.
What are the symptoms of an inguinal hernia?
Your chances are also higher if you:
- Are overweight
- Have been pregnant multiple times
- Have a lot of belly fluid (a condition called ascites)
- Have a long-term cough
- Have trouble peeing because of an enlarged prostate
- Are constipated for long periods of time
- Vomit repeatedly
How to check for an inguinal hernia?
The symptoms of a bowel hernia include swelling underneath the skin, discomfort and a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen or groin, according to Boots WebMD. When patients are unable to release intestinal gas or have a bowel movement, they should seek immediate medical attention. The swelling of a bowel hernis is often tender to the touch and ...
What are the most common symptoms of an epigastric hernia?
What are the symptoms of a bowel hernia?
How do they check for inguinal hernia in women?
Your doctor will check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you'll likely be asked to stand and cough or strain. If the diagnosis isn't readily apparent, your doctor might order an imaging test, such as an abdominal ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.
How do you know when a hernia needs attention?
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.
When should I worry about hernia pain female?
Burning or aching pain. Pain in your groin when you cough, laugh, or lift something. Constant pressure in your groin. Pain that's worse at the end of the day.
How do I check myself for an inguinal hernia?
How to tell you have a herniaFeel for a lump or swelling around the pubic bone.If you find a lump, make note of where it is and lie down.Did the lump disappear or become smaller? If so, it may be a hernia.Do you feel discomfort when coughing or lifting heavy objects? It's almost certainly a hernia.
How do I know if my hernia is getting worse?
1. Sudden or worsening pain. Some hernias cause pain or sensations like aching, heaviness, or weakness. If you notice sudden pain or pain that's gotten significantly worse, it could be a sign of a severe hernia complication called strangulation.
How do you know if a hernia is serious?
Seek immediate care if a hernia bulge turns red, purple or dark or if you notice any other signs or symptoms of a strangulated hernia. See your doctor if you have a painful or noticeable bulge in your groin on either side of your pubic bone.
What does hernia pain feel like in a woman?
Typically, patients with ventral hernias describe mild pain, aching or a pressure sensation at the site of the hernia. The discomfort worsens with any activity that puts a strain on the abdomen, such as heavy lifting, running or bearing down during bowel movements. Some patients have a bulge but do not have discomfort.
What causes inguinal hernia in females?
In women, this type of hernia can occur if reproductive organs or the small intestine slides into the groin area because of a weakness in the abdominal muscles. Direct inguinal hernia. This type of hernia is caused by weakening of your abdominal muscles over time and is more likely to be seen in adults.
What type of hernia is most common in females?
Inguinal hernia is the commonest hernia type in females followed by incisional hernias which also accounteds for most recurrent cases.
What happens if a hernia is left untreated?
If it is left untreated, a strangulated hernia can lead to life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis (severe inflammation of intestine) and sepsis. Since hernias can happen to anyone at any age, knowing warning signs of hernias and being aware of them are essential.
How long can you wait to have hernia surgery?
Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia. If the hernia is small and you don't have any symptoms, or if the symptoms don't bother you much, you and your doctor may simply continue to watch for symptoms to occur.
Can a hernia cause gas and bloating?
An inguinal hernia can cause someone to feel like they had an enormous meal when in fact they did not. This very common type of hernia can also make you feel bloated accompanied with pain in the groin and lower abdomen. Some of these easy to miss signs of a hernia can be potentially dangerous if not treated.
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 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.
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 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).
How to diagnose an inguinal hernia?
A physical exam is usually all that's needed to diagnose an inguinal hernia. Your doctor will check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you'll likely be asked to stand and cough or strain.
How to treat a small hernia?
Treatment. If your hernia is small and isn't bothering you, your doctor might recommend watchful waiting. Sometimes, wearing a supportive truss may help relieve symptoms, but check with your doctor first because it's important that the truss fits properly, and is being used appropriately. In children, the doctor might try applying manual pressure ...
How does an open hernia repair work?
In this procedure, which might be done with local anesthesia and sedation or general anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision in your groin and pushes the protruding tissue back into your abdomen. The surgeon then sews the weakened area, often reinforcing it with a synthetic mesh (hernioplasty).
How does a hernia surgery work?
The surgeon may use laparoscopic or robotic instruments to repair your hernia. Gas is used to inflate your abdomen to make the internal organs easier to see.
Why do you need surgery for a hernia?
Enlarging or painful hernias usually require surgery to relieve discomfort and prevent serious complications.
Can a minimally invasive hernia repair be done?
People who have a minimally invasive repair might have less discomfort and scarring after surgery and a quicker return to normal activities. Long-term results of laparoscopic and open hernia surgeries are comparable.
Can a hernia recur after surgery?
Minimally invasive hernia surgery allows the surgeon to avoid scar tissue from an earlier hernia repair, so it might be a good choice for people whose hernias recur after open hernia surgery. It also might be a good choice for people with hernias on both sides of the body (bilateral).
How do you know if you have an inguinal hernia?
Inguinal hernia signs and symptoms include: A bulge in the area on either side of your pubic bone, which becomes more obvious when you're upright, especially if you cough or strain. A burning or aching sensation at the bulge. Pain or discomfort in your groin, especially when bending over, coughing or lifting.
Why do inguinal hernias develop?
Other inguinal hernias develop later in life when muscles weaken or deteriorate due to aging, strenuous physical activity or coughing that accompanies smoking. Weaknesses can also occur in the abdominal wall later in life, especially after an injury or abdominal surgery.
What happens if you don't push a hernia in?
If you aren't able to push the hernia in, the contents of the hernia may be trapped (incarcerated) in the abdominal wall. An incarcerated hernia can become strangulated, which cuts off the blood flow to the tissue that's trapped. A strangulated hernia can be life-threatening if it isn't treated.
What is the term for a hernia in the abdomen?
Close. Inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernias occur when part of the membrane lining the abdominal cavity (omentum) or intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdomen — often along the inguinal canal, which carries the spermatic cord in men. An inguinal her nia occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, ...
Why do babies have hernias?
Inguinal hernias in newborns and children result from a weakness in the abdominal wall that's present at birth. Sometimes the hernia will be visible only when an infant is crying, coughing or straining during a bowel movement. He or she might be irritable and have less appetite than usual.
What to do if a hernia bulge turns red?
Seek immediate care if a hernia bulge turns red, purple or dark or if you notice any other signs or symptoms of a strangulated hernia.
What happens if you have an incarcerated hernia?
If the contents of the hernia become trapped in the weak point in the abdominal wall, the contents can obstruct the bowel, leading to severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and the inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
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
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 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.
Where do hernias occur?
There are different types of hernias, but the most common hernias occur in the belly or groin areas .
Can a hernia be repaired?
Nearly all hernias can be surgically repaired. Adrales explains how to recognize hernia signs in men and women, the most common types, and what surgery and recovery are like.
Can you repair a hernia before surgery?
For both men and women, repair is recommended for most abdominal hernias. The exception is if you have risk factors for complications or hernia recurrence, such as obesity or poorly controlled diabetes. It’s better to get those conditions under control before surgery. Some patients do not have symptoms and may decide to delay repair after discussion of the risks and benefits with their surgeon.
How do you know if you have a hernia?
Some of the symptoms and signs that women are likely to experience when they develop a hernia are-. Pain that varies from minor to agonizing. Burning sensation near the hernia.
How to treat a hernia in women?
Treatment of Hernia in Women. If a hernia is not causing any symptoms, these can be managed with simple home remedies and preventive measures . When hernias are left untreated, it can cause extreme discomfort that can only be cured using surgical intervention as treatment.
What causes a hernia in a woman?
Some of the common causes are discussed below-. Chronic cough. Chronic sneezing. Increased abdominal pressure. Pregnancy (Know here: Umbilical hernia during pregnancy) Straining excessively during bowel movements.
What is the second most common type of hernia?
The second most common type of hernia that occurs in women is umbilical hernias. When the abdominal wall weakens near the belly button during pregnancy, an umbilical hernia develops. A person can see the tissue protruding outward from the navel. This type of hernias is also common in babies.
What is the ultrasound of the abdomen and groin area?
At the doctor’s chamber, explaining what exactly is triggering the pain or alleviating it, can help the doctor in proper diagnosis. He/She will also look out for internal abdominal pressure when the patients lift weight or exercises, coughs, laughs, or even strains in the bathroom. Followed by this, the doctor recommends an ultrasound of the abdomen and groin area to confirm the diagnosis. The imaging technology helps the doctor to identify the defect in the muscle wall as well as protruding tissue.
Where does a hernia occur?
This is the most common type of hernia that develops in females. The femoral canal contains the femoral artery and other blood vessels. A hernia occurs in the femoral canal when the tissue bulges through the weak spot in the abdomen near the groin. The herniated tissue can move through the opening and get inside the groin or thigh.
What are the factors that increase the risk of hernias in women?
Some of them are explained below-. Aging. Obesity. Chronic constipation. Chronic cough. Hereditary. Premature birth and low birth rate. Giving birth.
What is an inguinal hernia?
An inguinal hernia occurs when soft tissue protrudes through a tear or break in the abdominal wall 2.
How do you know if you have a femoral hernia?
The most common symptom of a femoral hernia is pain or tenderness in or around the groin. If the hernia is severe, you may notice a change in the flow of your period, particularly if pressure is applied to the hernia.
What is the term for a hernia that causes pain in the abdomen?
Should it occur, strangulation must be treated immediately by a healthcare professional. A ventral hernia occurs when a portion of the abdominal muscles becomes weak and the intestine pushes through a tear. This "strangulation" is a serious health concern that can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting.
What are the different types of hernias?
There are various types of hernias, based on where they occur. Femoral, inguinal, ventral and umbilical are all types of hernias that can affect women. Generally, hernia symptoms are similar in both men and women. However, it is still important to recognize the symptoms and seek adequate treatment.
What is the most common symptom of a femoral hernia?
Femoral Hernia. The most common symptom of a femoral hernia is pain or tenderness in or around the groin. According to Mayo Clinic, women are most likely to suffer from femoral hernias. This pain is particularly noticeable when bending or lifting heavy objects and pressure is applied. A tender lump may develop in the area where ...
Where does an umbilical hernia occur?
An umbilical hernia occurs when the intestine protrudes through the abdominal muscle near the navel 4. It is most common in infants, but umbilical hernias can occur in adults as well. With an umbilical hernia, you will develop a bulge near the navel that is painful or tender 4.
Can a hernia cause cramps?
Depending on where the hernia is located, you may experience menstrual cramps, even if you don't typically have them, or you may experience more intense cramps than normal. If the hernia is severe, you may notice a change in the flow of your period, particularly if pressure is applied to the hernia. The most common symptom of a femoral hernia is ...
What is the first thing you notice when you have an inguinal hernia?
If you have an inguinal hernia, one of the first things you may notice is a bulge in your abdomen or groin. This bulge may be the intestine or its contents pushing through muscles in your abdomen. Inguinal hernias are usually simple for doctors to diagnose and surgery is the primary treatment.
How to tell if you have a hernia?
Look in the mirror for signs of a hernia. Remove all clothing below your waist and look in the mirror. Place two fingers over the area you think is affected. Force yourself to cough and note if you felt or saw a bulge coming out of that area. You can also hold your breath and bear down (contract your abdomen as you were going to the bathroom). Use your finger to note if a bulge is coming out. Hernias can be aggravated by doing things that put pressure on the abdomen. You should also look for:
How to get a hernia back in place?
Feel if the hernia is reducible, or can be pushed back into place. Lay down to let gravity relieve the tension of the hernia back in place. Slowly apply pressure to the bulge using your index finger and try to push the contents back up.
What is the bulge in the groin area?
A bulge in your groin area: If so, you may have a direct or indirect hernia. You will see swelling in the lower part of your abdomen that extends down toward or even into your scrotum. A bulge on the thigh below your groin: This is most likely a femoral hernia.
Why does my testicle hurt?
Burning, aching, or heavy pain in your groin: These can indicate a hernia because the intestine can become caught and squeezed, leading to pain. Seek emergency treatment if this occurs.
What does it mean when you have a bulge in your abdomen?
You'll be asked to bear down such as cough, or contract your abdomen while not breathing. A bulge suggests a hernia. Your doctor will also check to see if the hernia is reducible by palpating the area with an index finger. Your doctor may listen against the bulge with a stethoscope for bowel sounds.
How to get rid of a hernia in the abdomen?
Lose weight. If you're overweight or obese, try to lose weight by eating fewer calories and doing light exercises. Excess weight can make the weak areas in your abdomen carry more weight than they should. This increased pressure on weak abdominal points can increase your likelihood of having a hernia.
Why is it so hard to diagnose a hernia?
Getting a correct hernia diagnosis is more difficult in women because these hernias are often very small and deep in the abdomen. Because of this, women's hernias rarely cause any bulging on the skin, which is the classic hernia sign in men.
How to treat a hernia in the abdominal wall?
If conservative treatments fail to improve symptoms, laparoscopic surgery is generally used to repair the hernia. 1 This procedure repairs the weakened area of the abdominal wall.
What happens if you lay down and your hernia is red?
Other signs of danger to look out for include worsening pain, nausea, difficulty having a bowel movement, bloating, fever, and a racing heart rate. 4
How long does a sports hernia last?
Diagnosis. Treatment. Sports hernia in women can go undiagnosed for months, or even years. A hernia occurs when an area in the abdominal wall becomes thin, weak, or separated, allowing the internal organs, such as the small intestines, to push through.
What is the best imaging tool for a hernia diagnosis?
Once the symptoms lead to a possible hernia diagnosis in women, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is the best imaging tool to help confirm the diagnosis.
How common is a hernia during pregnancy?
No. About 0.08% of women get the most common type of pregnancy hernia, an umbilical hernia. 2 Other types of hernias related to pregnancy, ventral hernias and inguinal, are even less common.
Can a hernia cause shooting pains?
Diagnosis. Although most hernias in women are initially believed to be from other problems, realizing that hernia symptoms are unique can make obtaining a correct diagnosis easier. The more specific you can be when describing your specific hernia pain sensations—including burning, pinching, and shooting pains in the pelvis or groin—the more likely ...
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
Specialist to consult
Complications
- A physical exam is usually all that's needed to diagnose an inguinal hernia. Your doctor will check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you'll likely be asked to stand and cough or strain. If the diagnosis isn't readily apparent, your doctor might order an imaging test, such as an abdominal...
Prevention