Hernia Causes & Symptoms

*Causes-

Although one type of abdominal hernia can be present at birth (umbilical hernia), the others happen later in life. Some involve pathways formed during fetal development, existing openings in the abdominal cavity, or areas of abdominal wall weakness.

• Any condition that increases the pressure of the abdominal cavity may contribute to the formation or worsening of a hernia.

• Obesity
  
• Heavy lifting
• Coughing
• Straining during a bowel movement or urination
• Chronic lung disease
• Fluid in the abdominal cavity

• A family history of hernias can make you more likely to develop a hernia.

*Symptoms-
The signs and symptoms of a hernia can range from noticing a painless lump to the painful, tender, swollen protrusion of tissue that you are unable to push back into the abdomen—possibly a strangulated hernia.

• Asymptomatic reducible hernia

• New lump in the groin or other abdominal wall area
• May ache but is not tender when touched
• Sometimes pain precedes the discovery of the lump
• Lump increases in size when standing or when abdominal pressure is increased (such as coughing)
• May be reduced (pushed back into the abdomen) unless very large

• Irreducible hernia

• Usually painful enlargement of a previous hernia that cannot be returned into the abdominal cavity on its own or when you push it
• Some may be long term without pain
• Also known as incarcerated hernia
• Can lead to strangulation
• Signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction may occur, such as nausea and vomiting

• Strangulated hernia

• Irreducible hernia where the entrapped intestine has its blood supply cut off
• Pain always present followed quickly by tenderness and sometimes symptoms of bowel obstruction (nausea and vomiting)
• You may appear ill with or without fever
• Surgical emergency
• All strangulated hernias are irreducible (but all irreducible hernias are not strangulated)

Related Post