ABOUT Hernia - Symptoms, Causes, Types and Treatment
What is a Hernia?
A hernia is a bulge that can be seen or felt in your
abdominal wall. This bulge is created when the intestine squeezes through a
tear in the abdominal muscles. The tear can be small enough to go unnoticed for
years, but it usually gets bigger over time. Any time this tear gets big
enough, you'll notice symptoms including pain, swelling around the bulging
area, and sometimes fever or trouble urinating.
What Causes a Belly or Abdominal (Ventral) Hernia?
You can develop a hernia if:
1) Your abdominal muscles tear and the intestine pushes
through the tear;
2) The intestine grows bigger and squeezes through the
hole;
3) The hole gets bigger all by itself, or
4) Both parts of the intestine get pulled out of place
by another part of your body (like your muscles).
Who is at higher risk for a Ventral Hernia?
Risk factors for a hernia include:
Being overweight. A lot of extra pressure and strain is
put on your abdominal muscles when you're overweight. If your abdominal muscles
tear, it's easier for the intestine to get pushed out through the tear. This is
more likely if your stomach or another organ such as your bladder or uterus has
got bigger because of obesity, too.
Women who have had children are at higher risk for
ventral hernias because pregnancy and childbirth can increase their chance of
developing a ventral hernia. It can happen to women who've never had children,
too. And older adults are more likely to develop a ventral hernia than younger
adults because their tissues often weaken as they age.
How is a Belly or Abdominal (Ventral) Hernia Diagnosed?
If you have symptoms that include pain, swelling, or
fever in your belly or your back (just above your belly button), you may think
you have a hernia. But other tests may be needed. Your doctor examines your
belly to determine if it's truly herniated. If so, she'll do some other tests
to make sure the problem isn't something else. These tests might include:
·
X-rays or CT scans (if possible) to see if
there's an actual hole in your abdominal wall.
·
Ultrasounds to determine how big the hernia is
and whether any other organs are getting pinched.
Avoiding cystourethrogram (VQ) if you have problems
urinating or bowel movements. A VQ uses x-rays and dye to see if there's a
problem with your urethra or bladder. You'll need an IV for this test. The dye
may make your urine look blue for a few hours after the test.
How are Hernias Treated?
Treatment for a ventral hernia may include making
changes to what you eat and drink, losing weight if you're overweight, and
surgery to fix the tear in the muscle. Your treatment depends on how severe
your symptoms are and whether surgery is likely to solve your problem.
What are the signs of a Hernia emergency?
A small hernia may be treated with medicine or
non-surgical (physical therapy or injection therapy) treatment. If you're
having trouble urinating, your doctor might suggest surgery to repair the
hernia at the same time you're treated for an infection. A large hernia can
turn into an emergency because it can cut off blood flow to an area of your
body.
If you notice signs that could be signs of a health
problem, call your doctor right away. Some signs include:
·
Pain in your abdomen (lower back). This pain
could be so severe it may keep you awake at night or cause you to wake up
suddenly in pain.
·
Sudden back, abdominal, or chest pain. You may
feel a sharp pain in your lower back or your abdomen.
·
Fever and chills. A high fever combined with
chills is a serious sign that you have an infection that can be life-threatening
if left untreated.
·
Bleeding from the umbilical area (belly button).
This could be the result of hernia repair. It's also possible to get bleeding
from an internal organ pulled up into the hole where you have the hernia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does a Belly or Abdominal (Ventral) Hernia Feel Like?
Most often, a hernia feels like a lump or a bulge in
your belly. But sometimes you may feel only a sharp pain and fever. Some people
also have digestive symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
When should I Consider Surgery?
If you're in pain, surgery might not be the best option
for you. Ventral hernias often get better on their own or can be treated with
medicine. If you've tried medicine but your symptoms still bother you, surgery
might be the next step for your doctor to consider.
Medicine can relieve symptoms related to an abdominal
hernia so you don't need surgery right away.
