That bulge you feel above your navel or in your groin area could be cause for concern. It’s possible that it's a hernia. Although not every abdominal bulge or pain is a hernia. But hernias are more common than you might think, and they affect men, women, and children.
According to National Center for Health Statistics figures, an estimated five million Americans have an abdominal hernia. Although hernias can occur many places on your body, they most commonly appear in the abdominal area – the part of your body that extends from just under your rib cage to your groin area.
A review of anatomy might help when discussing hernias. The outermost part of your abdomen is skin. At the next level down are muscles and tendons, followed by the peritoneum, a thin membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen. These three layers hold your insides in – organs such as the intestines, and fatty tissue. Your insides constantly push outward, and the three layers (skin, muscles, and peritoneum) constantly hold them in. That is, of course, unless your muscles weaken.
When your abdominal muscles weaken, your insides push themselves through the weak area, causing an “outpouching” or bulge. At this point, the only things holding your insides in are the peritoneum and your skin. A small bulge might be painless, but as the bulge increases in size – and it will unless tended to – it will become painful.
Who Gets Them
Anyone can develop a hernia. They are found in infants, small children, athletes, senior citizens, simply everyone. But, there are a few factors that increase the risk of developing a hernia, according to the American Medical Association:
- Having a chronic cough, such as a smoker’s cough
- Being obese
- Straining during bowel movements or while urinating
- Pregnancy
- Straining to lift heavy objects
- Sneezing persistently, such as with allergies
Kinds of Abdominal Hernias
A hernia is a hernia is a hernia, right? Although the basics are the same, the locations and particular causes differ. They have different names depending on where they occur.
Inguinal hernia – a groin hernia. This is the most common type of hernia. When a male’s testicles descend into the scrotum from the abdominal area, it leaves the groin muscles weakened. Because of this, that area is more susceptible to hernia. However, a groin-area hernia occurs in women as well as in men most often as a result of heavy lifting or persistent stress placed on those muscles. The intestines bulge through the weakened place, but don’t stop there. In men, they can extend down into the scrotum. In women, they can fill the outer folds of the vagina.
Epigastric hernia – an above-the-belly-button hernia. Men are three times more likely to have this type of hernia, which appears as a bulge above the belly button.
Umbilical hernia – a navel hernia. This area of the body has thinner tissue, and weaker muscles – regardless of age.
Femoral hernia – a thigh hernia. Even though this hernia appears on the upper thigh, the weakened area occurs between the abdomen and thigh. This is one hernia that’s more common among women.
Incisional hernia – a scar hernia. Any time your tissues and muscles have been cut for surgery, they are weakened. This type of hernia can occur years after the initial surgery.
What to Do
Hernias are usually detected as a small bulge in the abdominal area, the scrotum, the pelvic area, or on the thigh. If the bulge gets larger when you stand and smaller when you lie down, it’s possible for you to push the fat, intestines, or tissue back into place and it will stay in. However, most hernias do not correct themselves. And, without repair, they will worsen.
Hernias can be dangerous. Your insides are meant to stay inside in a particular place. When they poke through your muscles, they can sometimes be twisted or pinched, and their blood supply will be cut off. This is called strangulation. Strangulation causes extreme pain. If it’s your intestine that’s strangulated, your digestion is blocked. Gangrene can set in, and you’ll be undergoing emergency surgery.
In the early stages, hernias are easily corrected. Most hernias can be repaired with traditional surgery or laparoscopy. Neither repair requires an overnight hospital stay, unless your hernia is severe. In some cases, your healthcare provider might recommend that you wear a supportive truss – an elastic band that holds hernias in – instead of surgery. This does not cure the hernia; it just holds it in.
Prevention Best
Most hernias cannot be prevented. But some can. Here’s what you can do to reduce your risk:
- Don’t smoke
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise to strengthen and tone your abdominal muscles
- Eat high-fiber foods, such as whole grains, raw fruits, and raw vegetables
- Drink at least eight glasses of water each day
- If chronic constipation, allergies, or a cough are a problem, ask your doctor for suggestions or medications
Remember that every movement you make puts pressure on your abdominal area. If you have a bulge, don’t ignore it. |
