Signs and Symptoms of Abdominal Hernia
Abdominal hernias are a common, yet often misunderstood, condition that can significantly impact your daily life. Whether it’s a mild discomfort or more severe symptoms like pain, nausea, or visible swelling, understanding the signs of a hernia is essential for early diagnosis and treatment. Hernias occur when internal structures, such as fat or intestine, push through a weak spot or hole in the abdominal wall, leading to various symptoms that may worsen over time without proper care.
Let’s explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for abdominal hernias, empowering you to recognize the condition and take steps toward relief and recovery. If you suspect a hernia, early intervention can help prevent complications and restore your quality of life.
The cause of hernia symptoms and hernia abdominal pain
There are numerous types of abdominal hernias, but they all involve a weakness or hole in the muscular abdominal wall. The symptoms of abdominal wall hernia result from internal structures pushing through the muscular abdominal wall hole or weakness. Typically it is fat or intestine that pushes through hernias.
The image below is an incarcerated ventral hernia containing omentum, or the fatty tissue within the abdomen protruding through a weak spot in the abdominal wall.
The symptoms that one feels results from the intestine or fat being squeezed by the hernia opening. The individual with a hernia may experience discomfort, buring or pain in the area of the hernia. Sometimes hernias cause abdominal discomfort remote from the hernia. This can occur when the intestine becomes intermittently obstructed causing a back pressure in the intestine resulting in pain in a remote location.
Sometimes hernias are the cause of worsening constipation and/or nausea. These symptoms result from the brief blockage or obstruction of the intestine that a hernia can cause. The back pressure from the obstruction of the intestine can give one a sense of nausea with symptoms worsened by eating.
The signs of a hernia are an intermittent bulging in the abdominal wall. Sometimes the bulge moves in and out. Sometimes the bulge is fixed. Sometimes the bulge is tender and sometimes it is asymptomatic. Most hernias will protrude more significantly when standing or engaging in physical activity. Most hernias will be reduced and “disappear” when laying down.
The bulge or lump or bump represents intestine or internal fat protruding through the muscular defect toward the skin.
Some hernias are small enough that there is no visual bulge despite their presence and associated symptoms.
Generally, all types of hernias have similar signs and symptoms, but here’s what you can look for depending on the type of hernia:
Umbilical hernias are typically marked by a bulge or swelling near the belly button, which may become more noticeable with coughing, crying, or straining. They are often painless in children but may cause discomfort in adults, along with symptoms such as constipation, vomiting, or abdominal pain. If the hernia becomes strangulated, it can lead to severe pain, vomiting, or discoloration of the bulge, requiring emergency care.
Epigastric hernias are small bulges of fat that push through the midline abdominal muscles between the chest and belly button. While many cause no symptoms, they can result in swelling, pain, bloating, tenderness, a burning sensation, or a feeling of heaviness, especially during activities like coughing or lifting.
A
recurrent hernia can present with symptoms ranging from no symptoms at all to noticeable discomfort. Some individuals may observe a bulge at the site of the original repair, particularly when standing or straining, while others experience no visible swelling. Symptoms can include mild to severe pain during physical activity or localized tenderness, though some patients may remain asymptomatic.
There are
numerous techniques used to repair hernias. They range from open repairs with an incision large enough to fully expose the hernia to
laparoscopic and
robotic repairs performed through extraordinarily small incisions less than 1 cm.
Despite the technique, the surgeon's experience plays a big role in obtaining the best outcomes.
Dr. Yunis and the team at
Center for Hernia Repair care about your treatment and want you to receive the results you desire. We specialize in the treatment of hernias and prioritize your comfort and satisfaction.
When you choose the Center for Hernia Repair, you’re choosing expert, patient-centered care for hernia treatment. Dr Yunis performs a high volume of surgeries every year for patients locally and those who come to us from around the globe.
With expertise in complex cases, we deliver optimal results through
mastery in all surgical techniques, including robotic-assisted, laparoscopic, and open surgery, tailoring treatments to each patient's unique needs.
Not sure what to expect? Learn more about what
your visit will look like, and
contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you personally and answer your questions.
