People suffering from hernia pain often find it difficult to carry on with their day-to-day activities. Some people may suffer from dull aching pain, while others may experience acute pain.
A large lump commonly seen in the groin or umbilical region is known as hernia. It is caused when a tissue portion bulges or penetrates into a weakened muscle area. The most common symptom of hernia is the bulge.
In theory, hernia may affect any part of the body, they are mostly seen in the abdominal region in between the rib cages or in the groin region. There are different types of hernia, which are classified depending on their area of origin.
There are the diaphragmatic hernia, groin hernia, umbilical hernia, incisional hernia, fermoral hernia, para-esophageal hernia. Hernia pain is the most common symptom of any of the types of hernia.
Causes of Hernia
Nailing one particular cause of hernia is a difficult task, as there are multiple reasons, which can cause hernia. Umbilical hernia is often present at birth. In some cases umbilical hernia may be caused due to weakness in the tissue in the umbilical area along with the increased pressure on the abdominal wall.
Weakness in the abdominal wall at birth is one of the most prominent cause of hernia. Repetitive actions, which cause strain on the muscles may also trigger the condition. People suffering from prostate problems are susceptible to hernia problems.
Bowel irregularity can also lead to hernia in some people. Coughing for a very long period of time, violent coughing or sneezing are also among the causes of hernia. People who are overweight or pregnant women may suffer from hernia, as increase in weight exerts pressure on the abdominal wall.
Inguinal hernia is caused in men when a loop of the intestine passes out of the abdomen. In case of women inguinal hernia is caused when the tissue that binds the uterus passes out from the abdomen and joins the tissue, which surround the vaginal opening.
Hernia Symptoms
The most common symptom of hernia is bulge. The bulge may contain a part of the intestine, fat or other organs. Pain is the other common symptom. The pain may be sharp, dull or burning pain, depending on the location of hernia.
The pain may be caused due to stretching of the tissue. Irritation or damage to the nerves resulting in the contents to be pushed out, that also causes pain. The pain may be localized and be felt only in a particular area or the pain may be referred to another part.
Nausea and vomiting are also symptoms of hernia. If a part of the intestine is trapped inside the hernia, it causes the flow of food to be blocked. Hence, there is a progressive backup within the intestine, which causes nausea and vomiting.
If the intestine is blocked only partially, then the person may suffer from only nausea and it will not be accompanied by vomiting. This in turn may result in poor appetite. If a big part of the intestine is blocked, it may result in constipation, as the flow of food is blocked which results in feces being blocked and the person will feel constipated.
Similarly, it may also give rise to urinary symptoms. The person may suffer from frequent need to empty himself, frequent urinary tract infection, bladder stones, burning sensation while urinating, etc.
Hernia Pain Relief
The most obvious option for relief is surgery. The hernia surgery recovery time will depend on the health of the person affected. If surgery is not an immediate option, then the person will have to avoid those movements, which aggravate pain. Pain killers may be prescribed by the physician to deal with pain.
There are also the hernia supports like belts, briefs, trusses, which help in keeping the bulge in place and in turn help in reducing pain. Using these supports not only help in relieving pain, but also prevent the hernia condition going from bad to worse.
Hernia pain should not be neglected. It is best not to self treat the symptoms, as it can cause the condition to aggravate. Unlike in the previous days, laparoscopic techniques are used for treating the pain due to which it does not take long to heal, unless there is an infection in the hernia. If there is an infection, then the infection is drained off and antibiotics are prescribed for faster relief.