Hernia Symptoms for Different Types and Its Causes

Comprehensive Guide to Hernias: Symptoms, Types, and Risk Factors

A hernia occurs when an organ or tissue pushes through a weak area in the muscle or connective tissue that holds it in place. This often results in a noticeable bulge or lump. While some hernias might be asymptomatic, others can lead to serious complications if not treated.

Recognising hernia symptoms is essential to addressing the issue early. This guide will walk you through the different types of hernias, their causes, and the hernia symptoms that you should be aware of.

What is a Hernia?

A hernia occurs when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. Most hernias appear in the abdomen between the chest and hips but can also occur in the upper thigh and groin areas.

Hernias develop when pressure pushes against weak spots in your muscle wall. The pressure forces tissue to bulge through these weak areas. This weakness can exist from birth or develop over time due to ageing, injury, or surgery.

The pressure that causes hernias often comes from:

● Heavy lifting without proper technique

● Frequent coughing or sneezing

● Straining during bowel movements

● Pregnancy and childbirth

● Rapid weight gain or obesity

General Hernia Symptoms

Hernias can develop in different body areas, but the symptoms often share common characteristics. In general, typical hernia symptoms include:

● Visible bulge or lump: One of the most common symptoms is a lump or bulge near the hernia site. This bulge may become more prominent when standing, coughing, or straining and decrease in size when lying down.

● Pain or discomfort: Depending on the hernia’s location, you might experience pain or discomfort. The pain could be sharp or dull and may worsen with physical activity, bending over, lifting, or coughing.

● Swelling or tenderness: The area around the hernia may feel swollen or tender to the touch. In some cases, it might appear red or discoloured.

● Feeling of heaviness or pressure: It is common to feel fullness or pressure in the affected area. This sensation can become more pronounced after standing or during activities like lifting.

● Nausea and vomiting: In severe cases, when the hernia becomes strangulated (cuts off blood flow to the tissue), nausea and vomiting may occur.

Common Types of Hernias and Their Symptoms

Hernias come in various types depending on their location and causes. Let's look at the most common ones and their specific symptoms.

1. Inguinal Hernia

Inguinal hernia symptoms are among the most common, accounting for about 75% of all hernias. These hernias occur in the groin area when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the inguinal canal.

Inguinal hernia symptoms male patients often notice include:

● A bulge on either side of the pubic bone that becomes more obvious when standing upright

● Pain when coughing, bending, or lifting heavy objects

● A burning or aching sensation at the bulge site

● A heavy or dragging sensation in the groin

● Weakness or pressure in the groin that worsens throughout the day

● Swelling around the testicles when the protruding intestine descends into the scrotum

Men with right inguinal hernia symptoms or left inguinal hernia symptoms may notice differences based on the affected side. The location of pain and swelling will correspond to the affected side. Right-sided inguinal hernias are slightly more common than left-sided ones.

Indirect inguinal hernia symptoms develop gradually over time. This type often results from weakened muscles due to ageing or repeated strain. They follow the path that the testicles took when they descended before birth and may extend into the scrotum. Symptoms include:

● A bulge that appears and disappears

● Pain that increases with physical activity

● Discomfort that worsens throughout the day

2. Umbilical Hernia

These hernias form when part of the intestine protrudes through a weakness in the abdominal muscles around the navel. Umbilical hernia symptoms include a noticeable bulge near or around the belly button.

While common in infants, umbilical hernia symptoms in adults include:

● A visible bulge near the navel that may be more obvious when standing or straining

● Pain or discomfort at the site, especially when coughing or straining

● Swelling around the navel that worsens with activity

● Tenderness when touching the area

● The bulge may become larger over time

● The hernia may become more painful after eating a heavy meal

Adults with para umbilical hernia symptoms notice a bulge that appears slightly above or below the navel rather than directly at it. These hernias develop when fatty tissue or part of the bowel pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall near the umbilicus.

Supraumbilical hernia symptoms specifically refer to a bulge above the navel. These may cause pain that radiates upward and can be mistaken for digestive issues.

Small fat-containing umbilical hernia symptoms include a soft, painless bulge that contains fatty tissue rather than an intestine. Though often less dangerous, they still require monitoring.

3. Hiatal Hernia

Hiatal hernia symptoms differ from other types because they affect the digestive system more directly. This happens when part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity through an opening called the hiatus.

Common hiatal hernia symptoms include:

● Heartburn that worsens when lying down

● Acid reflux that may cause a sour taste in the mouth

● Difficulty swallowing solid foods

● Chest pain that can mimic heart problems

● Feeling unusually full after eating small amounts

● Belching or hiccups that occur frequently

● Regurgitation of food or liquids

● Shortness of breath if the hernia is large

● Vomiting blood or passing black stools in severe cases

Symptoms often worsen after meals, bending over, or lying down. Many people with small hiatal hernias experience no symptoms at all.

4. Abdominal Hernias

Abdominal hernia symptoms generally include:

● A visible bulge in the abdominal area that may appear suddenly after straining

● Pain at the site of the bulge that ranges from mild discomfort to sharp pain

● The bulge often disappears when lying down and reappears when standing

● Constipation or blood in stool if the hernia affects the intestines

● Nausea and vomiting in severe cases

Abdominal hernia symptoms of female patients sometimes differ from those of men. Women might experience pelvic pain that can be mistaken for gynaecological issues, such as Menstrual cramps, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, etc.

Some people experience abdominal hernia symptoms female no bulge, where pain exists without a visible protrusion. This makes diagnosis challenging and often leads to delayed treatment.

5. Epigastric Hernia

Epigastric hernia symptoms include:

● A painful lump in the area between the navel and breastbone (epigastric region)

● Pain that worsens when sitting up, coughing, or straining

● Tenderness around the bulge

● Digestive discomfort after eating

● The bulge may contain fatty tissue or part of the stomach lining

Epigastric hernia symptoms of female patients sometimes include digestive discomfort that can be confused with other conditions like acid reflux, gallbladder problems, Pregnancy-related discomfort, and so on. Women may notice these hernias worsen during pregnancy due to increased abdominal pressure.

6. Ventral Hernia

Ventral hernia symptoms include:

● A bulge that appears in the abdomen, often at a previous surgical site

● Pain that worsens with activity, coughing, or straining

● The bulge may flatten when lying down

● Increasing size over time

● Skin discolouration over the hernia in some cases

● Digestive issues if intestines are involved

These hernias commonly develop at the site of a previous surgical incision where the abdominal muscles have weakened.

7. Femoral Hernia

Femoral hernia symptoms include a lump in the inner upper thigh or groin area. They're more common in women than men due to the wider female pelvis.

Femoral hernia symptoms female patients should watch for:

● A painful or tender lump in the groin or inner thigh

● Discomfort when bending or lifting

● The bulge may be small and overlooked initially

● Increased pain during pregnancy

● Bowel obstruction symptoms if severe (nausea, vomiting, severe pain)

Femoral hernia symptoms in male cases, though rarer, present similarly but are more likely to be confused with inguinal hernias. Men may notice:

● A bulge lower in the groin than typical inguinal hernias

● Pain that extends toward the scrotum

● Discomfort when walking or exercising

8. Incisional Hernia

Incisional hernia symptoms appear at the site of a previous surgery where the abdominal wall has weakened.

The incisional hernia symptoms in females and males include:

● A bulge near or on a previous surgical scar

● Pain that worsens with physical activity

● The bulge may grow larger over time

● A pulling sensation around the incision site

● Risk increases with pregnancy after abdominal surgery

● Multiple bulges may appear along the incision line

These hernias can develop weeks, months, or even years after surgery. Incisional hernia symptoms in females may be more common following caesarean sections or hysterectomies.

Other Types of Hernia

Diaphragmatic hernia symptoms and congenital diaphragmatic hernia symptoms typically affect babies and include:

● Breathing difficulties soon after birth

● Bluish skin colour due to lack of oxygen

● Rapid heartbeat and breathing

● Abnormal chest development (one side appears larger)

● Bowel sounds were heard in the chest cavity

● Feeding difficulties and failure to gain weight

Testicular hernia symptoms and scrotal hernia symptoms are quite similar. They both can cause:

● Swelling in the scrotum that increases with standing

● Pain in the groin or testicles

● Discomfort while standing or during physical activity

● A heavy sensation in the scrotum

● The bulge may reduce in size when lying down

● Difficulty urinating in severe cases

Common Causes of Hernias

Hernias occur when internal tissues or organs push through a weakened muscle or connective tissue area. Several factors can contribute to this weakening, which leads to hernia formation. Some common Hernia symptoms causes include:

● Muscle weakness present from birth (congenital defects)

● Ageing and natural weakening of muscles

● Chronic coughing from smoking or respiratory conditions

● Pregnancy and the strain of childbirth

● Constipation causing repeated straining

● Heavy lifting without proper technique

● Sudden weight gain or obesity adds pressure to the abdominal walls

● Previous surgeries that weaken muscle walls

● Ascites (fluid build-up in the abdomen)

● Enlarged prostate causing straining during urination

● Cystic fibrosis causes chronic coughing

● Malnutrition leads to weakened muscles

● Connective tissue disorders

Final Words

Knowing about the hernia symptoms helps you detect problems early. Each hernia type presents differently, and symptoms vary by location and severity.

Fortunately, modern surgical techniques offer less invasive options with shorter recovery times than in the past. Thus, if you notice any hernia symptoms, contact a healthcare professional as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment options.