Know The Difference Between Groin Pain And Hernia Pain
Common people have a hard time differentiating between pain in the groin area due to a groin strain or hernia.
Dr. Vaibhav Kapoor, General Surgeon at Pristyn Care says, I often come across patients who are unable to make out the difference between these conditions.
This inability to make differences results in the delaying of the treatment which eventually results in the condition becoming life-threatening.
Hence, heres a guide that can help you distinguish pain due to hernia from that of a groin strain.
Can An Umbilical Hernia Cause Weight Gain
Incisional Hernia
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Herein, can a hernia cause you to gain weight?
Incisional HerniaGenerally an abdominal organ, most often the bowel or intestine, pushes through the area weakened by the surgery and the scar and causes a bulge. Risk factors for incisional hernias include significant weight gain or pregnancy after undergoing abdominal surgery.
Similarly, will losing weight help an umbilical hernia? Umbilical hernias are common and often don’t need surgery. Cutting back on sugar, exercising and losing weight will put less pressure upon an umbilical hernia and may decrease the likelihood of ever needing hernia surgery. They occur because of tissue weakness at the umbilical ring.
Moreover, can umbilical hernia cause bloating?
Bloating and constipation.Hernias can sometimes lead to obstruction of the intestines that can result in symptoms related to blockage, like bloating, abdominal cramps and constipation, Krikhely says.
Does a hernia make your stomach swell?
For inguinal, femoral, umbilical, and incisional hernias, symptoms may include: An obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or the groin it may disappear when you lie down and may be tender. A heavy feeling in the abdomen that is sometimes accompanied by constipation or blood in the stool.
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When To See A Doctor
You should see a doctor if you:
- Suspect that you have a hernia
- Can’t get the hernia to go back in or it goes soft seek medical care right away, as this is an incarcerated hernia and can lead to organ strangulation.
- Have a painful or noticeable bulge in your groin on either side of your pubic bone
- Know you have a hernia, and you have symptoms of a strangulated hernia. Seek medical care right away.
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How Is An Umbilical Hernia Diagnosed
Your child’s healthcare provider will examine your child and feel his abdomen. This is often all that is needed to diagnose the hernia. An ultrasound may be needed in rare cases when the diagnosis is hard to make by exam alone. An ultrasound may show the tissue or organ that is contained within the hernia.
Signs That You Or A Loved One Might Have A Hernia
- A bulge in the groin or scrotum, or swelling in the scrotum
- Discomfort in the groin that gets worse when you bend or lift something
- Heaviness in the groin or abdomen
- Pain or discomfort during a bowel movement or urination
- Pain or discomfort toward the end of the day, particularly if you were standing a lot
- Any symptoms of a strangulated hernia, which include fever, vomiting, nausea and severe cramping
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Can Hernia Cause Constipation/bowel Problems
A femoral hernia may also have constipation as a contributing factor. A hernia can cause mild to severe consequences. When a hernia forms after a case of constipation it should be taken seriously, as it may be due to the death of a portion of the bowel, caused by a lack of blood supply to that part of the intestine.
What Increases My Risk For An Umbilical Hernia
Umbilical hernias usually happen because of a hole or weak area in your abdominal muscles. Umbilical hernias happen more often in women than in men. The following may increase your risk for an umbilical hernia:
- Being overweight
- Fluid in your abdomen
- A large growth in your abdomen
- Pregnancy, especially more than 1 pregnancy
- Chronic constipation or straining to have bowel movements
- Repeated coughing caused by lung disease such as COPD
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Treatment Of Groin Pain
After the diagnosis of groin pain, the doctor prescribes taking proper rest along with applying ice and compression wraps. To curb the pain and inflammation, he/she may also prescribe some anti-inflammatory medicines.
Some cases of groin pain are severe. Hence, as soon as you recover, consult with a physical therapist who can recommend exercises to strengthen the abdominal and thigh muscles.
Types Of Pediatric Hernias
Hernias occur when part of an organ or other bodily tissue is pushed through a hole in the muscle that is supposed to contain it.
There are two main types we see in children: umbilical and inguinal. Umbilical hernias are found around the navel and inguinal hernias are found in or around the groin, Scheidler said.
Both types can be retractable, meaning that they only appear during times of muscle strain, before slipping back into place. But umbilical hernias are more likely to correct themselves as infants grow and strengthen in their first two years, while inguinal hernias tend to be the main source of complications and require surgery once theyre discovered.
The British Hernia Centre reports that 3 to 5 percent of all healthy, full-term babies are born with inguinal hernias, and up to 30 percent of all premature babies are born with the same condition. The incidence rate also is much higher for male infants, with boys accounting for 80 to 90 percent of cases.
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Umbilical Hernia Symptoms In Adults
The one main sign of an umbilical hernia in an adult isa bulge in or near your belly button area. This makes it super-easy to decide whether you think you have an umbilical hernia or not.
Do you have a bulge near your belly button?
Then, its probably an umbilical hernia. Identifying umbilical hernias is just that easy.
Even if your bulge isnt always present, its still a sign you could have an umbilical hernia.
For example, you might notice the bulge appears when you are standing or sitting up. Then, it might go away when you lay down on your back.
Whats important to know is that bulge at your belly button is your intestines.
Why Youre Still Bloated
So whats behind this bloating and why is it so impossible to get rid of? The answer may surprise you
Its possible your bloating is caused by methane. Yes, were talking CH4, otherwise known by chemists as a colorless, odorless, volatile inert gas.
Methane is the main component of the natural gas you might use to power your stove or furnace.
But, humans can also produce methane in their intestines through a process called methanogenesis. And when this occurs, the result can be really uncomfortable gas and bloating.
Methanogenesis depends on the presence of a special type of bacteria in the colon called methanogens.
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What To Expect After Surgery
You will wake up in recovery with a drip in your arm and if you are experiencing pain or nausea your nurse will give you some medication to help relieve this. Once you are stable you will be transferred to the ward for further observations. You will begin by taking sips of water and then progress to solid food once you wake up properly from your anesthetic. Your wounds will be covered with waterproof dressings and should remain in place for about ¬ve days. You will be encouraged to get out of bed as soon as you feel able and will be encouraged to gently move around. You will also be asked to perform regular deep breathing and coughing exercises to keep your lungs clear. You may be given a blood thinning injection and wear white compression stockings to help decrease your risk of developing blood clots in your legs or lungs. Generally you will stay in hospital for one night only.
Causes & Risk Factors
The causes of an umbilical hernia are different in infants and adults. In adults, women are more likely to get umbilical hernias than men especially if they are pregnant or have had multiple pregnancies. But men are more likely to have a strangulated umbilical hernia.
Most umbilical hernias occur in infants. This happens because the muscle around the umbilical cord hasnt completely closed yet. In babies, these hernias usually close up on their own.
Ninety percent of umbilical hernias in adults are acquired. Weakened abdominal muscles and excessive abdominal pressure cause them.
Risk factors for adult umbilical hernias include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity
- Previous surgery in the abdominal area
- Receiving long-term dialysis through the abdomen
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How Can I Manage My Child’s Umbilical Hernia
- Give your child liquids as directed. Liquids may prevent constipation and straining during a bowel movement. Ask how much liquid to give your child each day and which liquids are best for him.
- Feed your child foods that are high in fiber. Fiber may prevent constipation and straining during a bowel movement. Foods that contain fiber include fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
- Do not place anything over your child’s umbilical hernia. Do not place tape or a coin over the hernia. This may harm your child.
Should I Get A Lawyer If My Hernia Device Failed
You are not responsible for medical device failure, especially if it was due to a defect. The manufacturers of defective medical products are typically responsible parties.
Your surgeon may also be to blame if he/she implanted the device wrong or made mistakes during your revision surgery. In fact, many surgeons lack the training to do a successful revision surgery.
Through your personal injury attorney, you can file a claim or lawsuit to obtain compensation for any and all damages you suffered. Most law firms offer free consultations and free case evaluations.
References
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How Is An Umbilical Hernia In Children Treated
Many umbilical hernias in children will close on their own by age 4 to 5 and do not need treatment. Your child’s healthcare provider may be able to manually reduce his hernia. He will put firm, steady pressure on your child’s hernia until it disappears behind the abdominal wall. Your child may need surgery to fix his hernia if it does not go away on its own by age 4 to 5, or causes complications. Complications of a hernia happen when the hernia stops blood flow to his organ that is caught inside. The hernia can also block his intestines.
Be Patient If You Cant Immediately Have A Bowel Movement
It is a very frustrating feeling whenever you are constipated, and it is even worse when you are recovering from hernia surgery and constipated. That is why the best advice we can give is to try and prevent constipation before it begins. Make sure you are eating fiber-rich foods and drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to your surgery, and continue to do so after your surgery. Also, talk with your surgeon about taking a stool softener after surgery. They should be fine with this and if so, it can go a long way in preventing constipation. If you do get constipated, do not try and strain to have a bowel movement though as this could do damage to your recently repaired hernia. Do your best to relax, try some of these tips and hopefully you will be able to have a bowel movement soon after.
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What Is The Recovery Time After Umbilical Hernia Treatment
Your child will be back to their regular activities within a few days. Some children may take up to two weeks to recover if they had a larger or more complex hernia.
You usually return to your childs provider for a follow-up appointment around three to four weeks after surgery. The provider examines the surgery site and asks how the recovery is going.
How Do You Poop With A Hernia
Make sure you are eating fiber-rich foods and drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to your surgery, and continue to do so after your surgery. Also, talk with your surgeon about taking a stool softener after surgery. They should be fine with this and if so, it can go a long way in preventing constipation.
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Are Some Patients More Prone To Device Failure
Yes. Patients with certain preexisting health conditions have increased chances of complications after hernia repair surgery. Risk factors include but are not limited to:
- Diabetes
- Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease
- Coagulopathy
- Various autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
- Malnutrition
- Chronic steroid use.3
If you suffer from these risk factors and sustained a mesh injury, you still have a legal claim against the mesh manufacturer or your surgeon.
Does An Umbilical Hernia Need Treatment
An umbilical hernia may not need any treatment. If it does, surgery can repair it.
Most of the time in more than 90% of cases umbilical hernias heal on their own by the time a child is three or four years old. Your healthcare provider will likely recommend waiting until that age to do surgery.
Your child is more likely to need surgery if the hernia is:
- Incarcerated.
- Larger than two centimeters, around ¾ inch.
Larger and incarcerated hernias are less likely to heal on their own and will probably need hernia repair surgery.
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What To Expect At Your Appointment
During your babys appointment, your doctor will press on the abdomen and observe the behavior of the bulge. They will ask you questions about the symptoms you have noticed in your child.
For adult patients, your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and will perform a physical examination.
In order to make a definitive diagnosis and assess the severity of the hernia, your doctor may prescribe one of the following diagnostic techniques:
-
MRI scan
-
CT scan
-
Ultrasound imaging
Additionally, your doctor may want to check for signs of infection by prescribing a blood test or a urine test.
Methanogens: The Bloating Root Cause You Havent Heard Of
Bloating that enormous feeling of pressure like someone just blew up your abdomen with an air pump and now your pants have shrunk two sizes.
Or maybe its that feeling of fullness like youre dragging around an extra tire everywhere you go.
If youre like millions of other people, you can relate.
For some people, this is an all-day problem that starts the moment they wake up and gradually gets worse throughout the day.
For others, it comes and goes maybe related to a food trigger, or maybe with no rhyme or reason.
And along with the bloating comes the C word constipation, meaning three or fewer trips to the restroom in a week..
Yet others have the opposite problem diarrhea that strikes soon after a meal and leaves them scrambling to find the closest bathroom.
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How Doctors Diagnose Umbilical Hernias
A doctor will perform a physical exam to determine if an infant or adult has an umbilical hernia. The doctor will see if the hernia can be pushed back into the abdominal cavity or if it is trapped in its place . An incarcerated hernia is a potentially serious complication because the trapped part of the herniated contents may become deprived of a blood supply . This can cause permanent tissue damage.
Your doctor may take an X-ray or perform an ultrasound on the abdominal area to ensure that there are no complications. They may also order blood tests to look for infection or ischemia, especially if the intestine is incarcerated or strangulated.
Pain In The Pelvic Area
Because they rarely cause a bulge, some hernias in women are diagnosed as fibroids, ovarian cysts or endometriosis based on the region of pain. Although they may cause pain in the leg or back, a MRI is usually required to identify these small but very painful hernias.
Women are also prone to umbilical hernias near the belly button. A hearty laugh accompanied by pain can be a hidden sign of this type of hernia.
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When To See A Hernia Specialist
The dangers of hernias and bowel obstructions are too severe to ignore. Surgical repair is necessary if you want relief from the painful effects of intestinal obstruction.
If you or someone you love has a hernia or similar concerns, set up your appointment at The Surgical Clinic today. Our team will examine the issue and take steps to manage it quickly and efficiently.
Is Bloating Really A Big Deal
If youre debating whether bloating is really such a big deal, consider these statistics:
- Abdominal bloating is reported in up to 76% of those suffering from functional gastrointestinal disorders.
- 75% of those who report bloating are visibly distended and/or report their symptoms as severe or moderate.
- 54% of those with bloating report that the symptoms affect their quality of life.
- 43% of those with bloating report taking medications as an attempt to control the symptoms.
- And finally, 60% of those with functional disorders report that bloating is their most bothersome symptom.
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Complications Of An Umbilical Hernia
When an umbilical hernia becomes incarcerated or trapped outside the body, it is at risk of strangulation. Once a hernia strangulates, the blood supply to the affected tissue is cut off and emergency surgery is required. This situation is serious since the affected tissue may become necrotic, or die, and systemic infection may develop. Symptoms of a strangulated hernia may include:
- Serious pain, swelling and discoloration at the site
- Inability to move the bowels
- Inability to pass gas
- Nausea and vomiting