What are the Symptoms of an abdominal hernia?

Answer 1

The first signs of Abdominal Hernia occur with a bulge often represented with swelling on the abdomen area where the hernia would possibly occur. In some cases the hernia in abdomen would be unrecognizable and at times could be asymptomatic. During daily activities such as lifting, coughing, exercise and other movements the abdomen would get a lot of pressure which would result in the contents pushed to the gap of the abdominal cavity which increase the size of the bulge.

Impotence in males is also common with abdominal gernia and in females, painful intercourse is seen as a symptom of abdominal hernia. This will result in inflammation in the bulge area.

Answer 2

An abdominal hernia is when an organ protrudes through the abdominal wall. Symptoms of an abdominal hernia are pain and swelling in a small, localized area. You can have serious complications from an abdominal hernia, such as tissue death, so you should see a doctor immediately if you believe you have an abdominal hernia.

Answer 3

What is a Hernia?

Hernias occur when a portion of the intestine or abdominal tissue push through a weakened portion of the abdomen wall. A hernia can result from physical strain such as heavy lifting, chronic coughing or constipation. Other causes include obesity and surgery. Some hernias develop at birth, while others appear in adulthood. The six common types of hernias, in order of severity, are inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional, epigastric and hiatal. The hernia type determines the treatment and pain site, which may appear with or without symptoms.

Symptoms

• Lump groin or abdomen
• Pain in the groin or abdomen
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Swelling or discoloration at the groin site
• Pain during, or the inability to have a bowel movement
• Pain in the groin or abdomen
• Urinary problems such as frequent urination, bladder infections and bladder stones

Types of Hernias

• Inguinal hernias appear when tissue pushes through a fragile area in the groin muscle. Openings in the groin muscle wall generally close after birth. An inguinal hernia occurs when the opening does not close, the muscle wall weakens allowing tissue to protrude and create a bulge. The only treatment for an inguinal hernia is surgery.
• Femoral hernias occur when the tissue protrudes from the lower abdomen into the upper thigh, right below the groin fold. The femoral hernia location can occur in the same site as an inguinal hernia, which makes this hernia type difficult to diagnose without further testing. Doctors normally find this hernia when a strangulated hernia develops. A strangulated hernia occurs when a trapped portion of the intestine interrupts the blood supply to the tissue. Strangulated hernias are always painful and require emergency surgery. Femoral hernias generally occur in women.
• Umbilical hernias occur in children and adults around the navel area. In children, these hernias generally heal without medical treatment by the age of one. Hernias that do not close within the first year require surgery. An umbilical hernia may occur in adults due to obesity, pregnancy or excess fluid in the abdomen. These hernias increase in size over time. If left untreated, a strangulated hernia may occur. Babies suffering from an umbilical hernia tend to cry more.
• Incisional Hernias typically appear after surgery, along a vertical incision. Causes of this hernia include obesity, age, steroid medication use, lung problems or more than one surgery at the same incision site.
• An epigastric hernia appears between the sternum, known as the breast bone, and the navel. An individual can have more than one of these small-size hernias.
• A hiatal hernia involves the stomach, not the intestine. This hernia occurs when a portion of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest. These hernias require medical diagnosis, as they do not normally exhibit symptoms. However, a hiatal hernia can cause heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease, known as GERD. Individuals with no symptoms require no treatment. However, if diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, the doctor may prescribe medication or suggest a lifestyle change.

While it is important to understand the causes, symptoms and types of hernias, never self-diagnose. Speak with a licensed medical practitioner to obtain an accurate diagnosis and hernia treatment.