You may be thinking, how would I now and what exactly is a hernia? Well, a hernia is the protrusion of an organ or other bodily structure through the wall that normally contains it; a rupture. (The Free Dictionary by Farlex) The abdomen is the most common area for a person to have a hernia. However, a hernia may occur anywhere in the body. (upper thigh, belly button, groin areas) If you have a hernia there may be no symptoms or it may cause slight to severe pain.

While a hernia can occur else where the most common area affected by hernias are the inner groin (inguinal hernia), outer groin (femoral hernia) near the navel (umbilical hernia), upper abdomen. It seems that men have hernias more often than women. But remember anyone can develop a hernia.

You may notice nothing more than a lump. The lump may be due to a weakening of the muscle wall allowing fatty tissue to squeeze through connective tissue. The lump (hernia) usually forms when an internal organ (most often the bowel or bladder) or part of the intestine pushes through the muscle. As stated above you may experience mild pain or you may have severe pain because of the hernia.

There are times that hernias go away when you press on them or lie down, but they can be aggravated by coughing or sneezing. If they don’t dissipate on their own, you may require surgery to prevent them from worsening. Remember if you find out you need surgery there is no better place for you to have the procedure done than Outpatient Services East.

Usually the first sign of a hernia is a noticeable swelling just under the skin. This swelling may turn into a bulge or visible lump. If the hernia goes untreated it may become very severe and extremely painful. This is because the protrusion forms as a sac in the organ and protrudes causing the muscle to widen and split. As more of the organ or tissue is forced through the opening an even larger sac is formed.

This notable protrusion, or bulging sac, is one of the primary characteristics of a hernia, and typically develops due to weakened tissue that’s present at birth or organ/tissue that wears down later in life. You may notice the bulge before you feel pain, but in many cases patients feel pain before the protrusion is noticeable to the naked eye. It’s very important that you go to your doctor as soon as you notice a lump as it may signify another health issue, such as type of abnormal growth or a cancerous tumor.

If you, at any time, feel you may have a hernia it is very important for you to have your doctor check it out for you. For more information about causes and treatment for hernias call Outpatient Services East. The health care professionals there will be happy to answer any questions you may have. They will direct you to the doctor and surgeon best suited to treat you.

Phone: 205-838-3888