Hernias are a rather frequent pathology which develops due to the fact that an organ or a part of a tissue protrudes through a hole or weak point of the muscular or connective tissue fence.

It can occur in any part of the body but common regions include the abdominal wall and the inguinal area.

Even though hernias may occur without a person experiencing any discomfort, there are several signs that may help one know that they have the hernia.

Chennai Gastro Care is here to help you know the symptoms and how you can understand them.

Understanding Hernias

Before we delve more into the symptoms, it would be essential to try and understand what hernias are first. Body wall is muscles and connective tissue that hold your organs where they are supposed to be.

Hernia on the other hand is formed whenever a weak area in this wall is developed and forms a hole in it and an organ or a type of tissue-most common being the intestinal tissue – moves out. This brings out a flange that can cause a lump to stick out and at times, some mild pain.

Common Hernia Types

There are different types of hernias, depending on their location:There are different types of hernias, depending on their location:

• Inguinal hernia: This is the most common type that mostly develops in the groin area. Interestingly, this is more common in men as compared to women.
• Femoral hernia: This is the less frequent type, which also happens in the groin region but becomes emergent through another route. It is more common in women than in men.
• Umbilical hernia: This sort is found around the belly button and is frequent in babies but not exclusive to them, adults can get it as well.
• Hiatal hernia: This hernia takes place in the abdominal wall especially in the diaphragm where the stomach bulges through.
• Ventral hernia: This is a general category of hernias that are basically located anywhere in the abdominal wall other than the groin or the umbilical region.

Signs and Symptoms of a Hernia

The traditional sign of a hernia is the lump felt or seen under the skin most commonly in the belly or groin area. This bulge could only be seen if one strains, coughs, stands up or if he/she had to lift something that was heavy.

At times, the swelling may subside when one assumes the sleeping position or the patient lays down.Here's a breakdown of some common symptoms associated with hernias:

• Bulge: The first sign mentioned earlier which has been noted, is the formation of a bulge. And invariably it could be a small or large one, sometimes, depending on the activity and one’s position; could be very conspicuous.
• Pain or discomfort: You may feel aching or pressure in the region of the swelling or develop discomfort when you are coughing, constipated, lifting something, or are Berry severely pregnant. It can be stabbing, throbbing, aching, or even a feeling of burning.
• A heavy or dragging sensation: This pain might be experienced in the area surrounding the bulge or near the groin especially for people who have inguinal hernias.
• Nausea or vomiting: This is likely the case with hiatal hernias as such another part of the stomach can push up into the oesophagus and thus bring stomach acid along with it.
• Difficulty swallowing: This can also be caused by hiatal hernia although this is quite rare compared to the rest of the symptoms.
• Heartburn or chest pain: This is due to the inflammation of the oesophagus by the stomach acid in people with hiatal hernia, these are the common symptoms.
• Groin pain: This is a common feature in cases of inguinal hernias, more so when the patient is previously active.

When to See a Doctor

If you feel any of the above symptoms you need to seek the service of a qualified doctor for proper diagnosis. It is, therefore, important that people get a check-up or consult their doctor in the case of suspected hernias, so that they can be operated on early.

Here are some situations that warrant immediate medical attention:Here are some situations that warrant immediate medical attention:

• Colour now adds to the bulge and it turns red, purple or dark on many occasions. This could be a sign of strangulated hernia whereby the blood supply of the tissue that protrudes is obstructed.
• You very often suffer from pain, and it is worse in the stomach.
• It reaches a stage where it forms incarceration meaning that it cannot be pushed back in any more.
• If you have a bulge and at the same time, experience nausea or vomiting, then it must be a significant and dangerous one.

Diagnosing a Hernia

Usually a doctor can reach the diagnosis of the hernia by a simple physical examination. They will probably palpate the area for a mass and may request you to cough or bear down while they study the characteristics of the mass.

Ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI may sometimes be used to confirm or further assess the hernia, however, this is not always the case.

Treatment Options for Hernias

The recommended remedy for hernias is surgical operation aimed to strengthen the defective area of the muscle and to return the outpouching to its normal position.

The type of surgery will depend on the location and the size of the hernia that the patient has. However, sometimes, you don’t have to operate, for instance, small umbilical hernias in infants that are not significant and do not practically show symptoms.

Nonetheless, for most hernias, the only way to solve the problem and avoid such complications is surgical intervention.

Living With a Hernia

In this case, if you have a hernia, there is what may be done to ensure one does not worsen it. These include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight: Obesity puts pressure on the abdominal wall and it reduces its strength, which also exacerbates the condition of a hernia.
• Eating a high-fibre diet: Fibre assists in controlling the bowel movements and one does not have to strain much while defecating.
• Quitting smoking: Smoking has adverse effects on the connective tissue and this explains why many people contracting hernias are usually smokers.
• Practising proper lifting techniques: In the case of lifting some material that is considerably heavy, do not bend your back, but instead try using your legs. This assists in the prevention of pressure towards the abdomen region of the body.

A hernia may occur when soft tissue bulges through a weakened area in your muscle or fascia, generally in the abdomen region, thus it is advisable to seek medical attention if you think that you have one.

Delay in treatment can lead to some complications and thus with early intervention, a perfect result is achieved. The fact that you are able to identify the symptoms, go for treatment as soon as you observe them and if necessary embrace lifestyle alteration measures, you will be in a position to preserve your health and go about your business as if you have a hernia.