Hernias 101: What They Are & How To Treat Them

If you’re feeling pain and discomfort in your stomach, you may have a hernia. A hernia is a medical condition where one of your organs pushes through a muscle wall or other soft tissue. People typically develop hernias in their abdomen, but they can occur almost anywhere between your chest and your hips. 

The tricky thing about hernias is that they don’t always cause pain. Also, hernias develop inside your body and don’t always have external signs to look for. That’s why it’s important to consult your doctor about any new or unusual pain you have and get a checkup to find potential hidden medical issues, like hernias.

1
What Is a Hernia? Look Out for These Signs and Symptoms
1 of 4 Next

You might be wondering, “what does a hernia look like?” Well, there are a number of signs of a hernia. In some people, including many men, a hernia can protrude enough that it causes a large bump or bulge in the abdomen, pelvic, or groin area. 

While there are other potential reasons for these bumps, hernias are often the primary cause. And, if the bulge grows and gets bigger over time, the chance of it being a hernia typically increases. 

While not all hernias cause pain, some hernias can cause a burning sensation at or around the bulging area. Some people may only experience this pain when lifting, bending over, or exercising. Some even report a dull ache in the abdomen, groin, or at the site of the bulge.

You may also experience other hernia symptoms, such as:

  • Consistent or more frequent sense of fullness, bloating, or constipation
  • Frequent throwing up after eating or drinking
  • Heartburn and indigestion
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Chest pain
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain

These are just some of the common symptoms associated with hernias, but it’s also important to note that symptoms can vary depending on your hernia location and the types of activities you do on a day-to-day basis. However, it’s common for hernias not to cause any pain, which means you could have an untreated hernia and not even know it.

Adults aren’t the only group who can experience a hernia. Newborns can easily develop hernias due to underdeveloped abdominal muscles, which is fairly common. 

When it comes to hernia symptoms in infants, you might be able to see a small bulge around the belly button or elsewhere in the abdomen, especially when the baby coughs or cries. Other signs include struggling to have a bowel movement, frequent irritability, and reduced appetite. However, since these signs can also point to a number of other issues, you may consider talking with your kid’s pediatrician.

1 of 4 Next

By Admin