Signs that Indicate Towards Hernia

Hernias can affect anyone. But how can you tell if you have got one?

Hernias occur due to a number of factors, which include muscle weakness, a past injury, or straining from lifting heavy stuff. In a hernia, fatty tissue or organ pushes out through a weak spot in your abdominal wall that should be keeping it in place.

Dr. Harsh Sheth, a GI laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon in Mumbai, states, “Occasionally patients are born with weak abdominal muscles, and sometimes their abdominal muscles deteriorate with age. Constipation, repeatedly lifting heavy weights, and continuous sneezing or coughing (factors which cause an increase in abdominal pressure) are other causes of a hernia.”

Further, hernias can also be caused by lifestyle choices. “Weakening muscles in the abdomen wall can occur if you smoke, are overweight, or don’t eat a balanced diet,” adds Dr.Harsh Sheth.

If you are struggling with obesity, you should consult Dr. Harsh Sheth, one of the best bariatric surgeon in Mumbai. He has a decade of experience in this field and practices in some of the leading hospitals in the city, namely, Saifee Hospital and Bhatia Hospital.

• Incisional hernia: It happens when the intestine juts through the abdominal wall at the scar site of prior surgery. It is particularly common in those who are overweight, older, or inactive after abdominal surgery.
• Inguinal hernia: It occurs when the intestine or bladder protrudes through the abdominal wall or into the inguinal canal of the groin. Men are more likely to have this sort of hernia.
• Femoral hernia: This type is prevalent in overweight or pregnant women. Here, a protrusion occurs in the upper thigh region, near the groin due to a portion of the intestine.
• Hiatal hernia: It occurs when the upper section of the stomach pushes through a diaphragm hole. A tiny one may be unnoticeable, but a larger one might cause heartburn and other symptoms.
• Umbilical hernia: Here, a portion of your intestine bulges through the gap in your abdominal muscles around your navel. Although umbilical hernias are most frequent in infants, they can also afflict adults. They are common and usually harmless and do not always require surgical correction.

Some people believe that if a hernia is tiny and not too painful, it can repair itself. However, Dr. Harsh Sheth, an experienced GI laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon in Mumbai says, “It is always a good idea to seek medical assistance to ensure that the situation isn’t more serious. Hernias do not heal on their own; if left untreated, they usually get larger and more painful, and in certain cases, they can pose major health problems.”

A strangulated hernia occurs when the wall through which the intestine protrudes blocks the intestine, cutting blood flow to the bowel. This issue needs immediate medical attention. Dr. Harsh Sheth is an expert in minimally invasive hernia surgery in Mumbai.

• Unusual lumps or bumps

Protruding tissue that you can often put back into place is one of the most prevalent indicators of a hernia. These lumps are most commonly found in the groin, abdomen, or on each side of the pubic bone.

Hernia bumps can be small or large and asymptomatic or extremely painful. When your abdominal pressure changes, such as when you stand, lie down, or cough, they mostly change size.

• Vomiting or nausea

Most people don’t think of hernias when they think of vomiting and nausea, but these symptoms can suggest a serious issue called an incarcerated hernia. Herniated tissue becomes stuck in these conditions, causing tissue strangulation, bowel obstruction, and fatal complications.

• Pain or discomfort

If you experience pain when lifting or leaning over, it could be a hernia. When you lift something heavy, you will feel an acute, tearing, or burning pain.

• Heartburn or acid reflux

Heartburn sensations are sometimes mistakenly attributed to anything you ate, although Hiatal hernias can also trigger them.

You may not notice any symptoms if you have a minor hiatal hernia. However, acid and food can flow back into your esophagus when these hernias become larger, producing digestive symptoms such as heartburn or esophageal irritation.

• Feelings of fullness or constipation

It could be an inguinal hernia if you have been experiencing trouble passing gas, constipation, or feeling as if you have eaten a large meal. It causes pain in the groin or lower abdomen. Inguinal hernias account for 75 percent of all abdominal wall hernias, and males are 25 times more likely than women to get them.