Causes and major symptoms of Hernia
Hernia can cause due to various factors. Inguinal
and femoral hernias causes due
to weakened muscles. In many cases it has been present since birth, or are
associated with aging. Such strain may come from physical exertion, obesity,
pregnancy, straining on the toilet due to constipation or from frequent
coughing.
Adults may get an Umbilical Hernia by
straining the abdominal area, being overweight, having a long-lasting heavy
cough or after giving birth.
What are the symptoms of a hernia?
A hernia in the abdomen can produce a
noticeable lump that can be pushed back in, or it may disappear when lying
down. Laughing, crying, coughing, and straining during a bowel movement or
physical activity may make the lump reappear after it has been pushed back in.
Here are the most common symptoms of a hernia:
·
Feel swelling in the groin or scrotum
·
Increased pain- on the site of the bulge.
·
Pain while lifting.
·
Bulge size increases over time.
·
A dull aching sensation.
·
Find
bulge in the affected area
·
Bulge
or lump disappears when lying down
·
Hernia
can be felt by touching while standing up or bending down, sneezing or coughing
·
Heartburn,
chest pain and trouble swallowing
·
Increase
in Pain and discomfort when standing, bending over, straining or lifting heavy
items
Causes
and Risk Factors
In some hernia patients, it is observed
that the muscles in the enclosing wall are weak since birth or become weak
later in life due to their poor nutrition diet. In that case, a hole in the
wall develops very easily. The weight of the organ near-by exerts a natural
pressure causing the organ to bulge out of the hole and that causes hernia.
There are various risk factors for hernia. Let’s know them:-
·
Lifting
or Carrying any heavy objects repeatedly
·
Diarrhoea
or constipation
·
Repeated
vomiting best pathology in Lucknow
·
Coughing
or sneezing
·
Enlarged
prostate
·
Urinating
or defecating with difficulty
·
Poor
eating habits cause poor nutrition
·
Cigarette
smoking which weakens the muscles
·
Obesity
·
Chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD
·
A
family history of hernias
·
Peritoneal
dialysis- Dialysis done on people with kidney failure
·
Pregnancy
·
Multiple
childbirths
·
Abdominal
surgeries
·
Un-descended
testes
·
Age
of 50 years and above
·
Being
born prematurely or with a low birth-weight
A combination of two or more of the
above risk factors increases the risk further.
Complications
All hernias can be divided into 2 categories;
in the first one it is reducible wherein the hernia can be pushed back and the
symptoms are not severe. The second type is irreducible. In this the hernia
cannot be pushed back. This type causes 2 major complications:
·
Strangulation:
Pressure at the neck of a hernia caused by the contents in the bulge impairs
blood supply to the herniated part of the organ such as the intestine and can
cause ischemia and gangrene in the herniated area. This can be a
life-threatening situation for patients and requires immediate surgery to
reduce or prevent from the hernia.
·
Obstruction: When
part of the intestine herniates, the contents of the bowel cannot pass through
the herniated part. This leads to obstruction in the bowel and is characterized
by crampy abdominal pain, inability to defecate and vomiting. Obstruction is
also a medical emergency and requires immediate surgery to prevent from the
hernia.
When
to See a Doctor
Whenever a hernia is suspected, one
must take a surgical consultation, so that the problem can be addressed before
complications arise. Non-complicated hernia can be treated safely in a planned
intervention without any complications. A patient having more complications
will require an emergency intervention with its associated risks. So soon after
detection of Hernia symptoms visit your doctor.
How is a hernia diagnosed?
By physical exam it is usually possible to
see and feel a bulge in the area where a hernia has occurred. In the male’s
physical exam for inguinal hernias, the doctor feels the area around the
testicles and groin while the patient is asked to cough. Whereas in some cases,
soft-tissue imaging like a CT scan will accurately diagnose the condition.
If you want to get angiogram test or other check-up do visit:-
Best diagnostic centre in Lucknow
Best pathology for Ultrasound in Lucknow
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