Hernia

What is a hernia?

A hernia is a bulge that occurs through the muscles of the abdominal wall – it can be a bulging intestine or other organ, or even fat. Weakness in the muscle wall allows these bulges to push through. In adults, the most common types of hernia are inguinal, incisional and hiatal.

• Inguinal hernia - This type of hernia occurs in the upper thigh near the groin. In an inguinal hernia, the sac protrudes into the groin toward and sometimes into the scrotum. Although most common in men, inguinal hernias can also occur in women.
• Incisional hernia - An incisional hernia occurs after abdominal surgery as a result of the abdominal wall failing to heal properly.
• Rare hernia - These occur in unusual locaitons and are called Spigelian, Lumbar, Flank, Intercostal, Obturator, etc. Most surgeons rarely see these types due to the infrequency of occurrence. Our comprehensive hernia center is able to evaluate and treat these and other rare types of hernias.
• Hiatal hernia - A hiatal hernia occurs when a hole in the diaphragm allows the upper part of the stomach to protrude upward into the chest cavity, allowing acid retention in the esophagus. It can be associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Symptoms of Hernias

Symptoms can vary. Sometimes the onset is gradual, with no symptoms other than the development of a bulge. In others, the hernia may present with a sudden giving away of the abdominal wall, which can be painful. Chronic groin pain is also a common indication of a hernia.

In adults, hernia symptoms can appear as back pain, pain in the location of the hernia itself or nausea. Some patients may feel a soft lump in a post-surgery scar or in your groin or abdomen. Pressing the lump or lying down may make it disappear. This lump may be painful when you lift heavy objects, bend over, cough or sneeze.

In some cases, an incarcerated hernia gets so constricted that the blood supply is cut off and the tissue swells. Increasing pain or a tender lump that won't go away indicates that the hernia has strangulated. When this occurs, the intestine can die quickly, leading to a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Chronic Groin Pain

While chronic groin pain is not a direct indicator of a hernia, it can be caused by an existing hernia and can be a result of a hernia surgery. Groin pain may occur immediately after an injury or may be more gradual over a period of weeks or even months. Groin pain might be worsened by continued use of the injured area. The most common cause of groin pain is also known as a sports hernia, which can result after strenuous physical activities. Direct and indirect causes of groin pain can include arthritis, lymph nodes, UTIs and more.