{"id":4096,"date":"2019-02-20T06:11:29","date_gmt":"2019-02-20T06:11:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=4096"},"modified":"2021-05-27T14:39:26","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T14:39:26","slug":"8-early-but-noticeable-signs-of-a-hernia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/8-early-but-noticeable-signs-of-a-hernia\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Early But Noticeable Signs of a Hernia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A hernia is a particularly unpleasant, uncomfortable, and unsightly condition that nevertheless is quite common. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition is caused by internal organs that protrude through a gap in the muscle tissue that would normally keep it in place. This can be due to a weakness in that muscle area, such as the abdominal walls. While hernias aren\u2019t normally life-threatening, they are not self-limiting either. That is to say that they won\u2019t \u2018go away\u2019 on their own, and will always require treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only that, but hernias are often described as being \u2018blindingly\u2019 painful. They likewise can be debilitating in that they prevent usual movement and activity. And for these reasons, it is highly important that you get seen by a doctor as soon as you notice any of the symptoms that might suggest the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we will look at eight of the earliest \u2013 yet most noticeable \u2013 signs that you may have a hernia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. A Bulge<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most obvious and well-known signs of a hernia <\/a>is a bulge. As mentioned, a hernia is caused by an internal organ physically protruding through the muscle and pushing out through the skin. This can get worse over time, but you might notice very early on that there is a slight lump where there isn\u2019t normally one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, there are many other different causes for a bulge that wasn\u2019t there previously \u2013 which is why it is important that you primarily look for signs of change rather than a bulge per se. This is true of most health conditions in fact: the most important consideration is whether the injury was there previously, or whether it is completely new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on where the hernia is located, it might be one of several different types of hernia. The most common form \u2013 the inguinal hernia \u2013 is located in the lower abdomen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Reflux<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You might notice that you have slight acid reflux and think nothing of it. Again, there are many different things that can cause reflux, and so you shouldn\u2019t necessarily instantly assume that it is hernia. However, this is one of the early signs and when it presents with other symptoms on this list, then hernia is a likely explanation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason for reflux caused by a hernia, is that the stomach is protruding upward and thus pushing the diaphragm and the chest. The diaphragm <\/a>is a sheet of muscle that lines the top of the abdominal cavity and sits beneath the lungs and stomach, thus this can push the stomach and make food more likely to travel the wrong way up the oesophageal canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Difficulty Breathing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You have probably already worked out how a hernia might similarly affect breathing. Just as pushing on the stomach underneath causes difficulty for digestion, so too does pushing on the lungs <\/a>from underneath cause difficulty in breathing. In short, you are reducing the amount of space for your lungs to fill up and thereby making it hard to take complete breaths. You might, therefore, find yourself running out of breath easily when climbing stairs, or engaging in other activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that the difficulty in breathing can also be a result of the intense pain that also accompanies a hernia \u2013 though this is a much more difficult option to miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are over the age of 50, and you suffer from difficulty breathing, reflux, and the appearance of a new bulge\u2026 then a hernia becomes a likely culprit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Pain During Bowel Movements<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A hernia can push upwards, and it can also push downwards. This can then affect the bowels <\/a>and cause pain when passing stool and using the toilet in general. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are other reasons that using the toilet may be painful when you have a hernia. One is that going to the toilet is understandably painful when it involves pushing and contracting the abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor. This can cause pain in a manner similar to that which may have accompanied the initial damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Muscle Weakness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Remember that hernia is caused by damage to muscle tissue that allows organs to protrude where they would not normally be located.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This damage to the muscle <\/a>can come on very quickly. Often a hernia is a sudden issue that occurs when you try and lift something heavy, or move in an awkward angle. That then causes the muscle to rip or tear, and for the organ to push through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this can also be a slower and more gradual process. You might, therefore, notice that the muscle feels weak, or that it is mildly painful, and that this precedes the organ bursting through entirely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, the muscle is likely to be weaker following the hernia. You now have a large, painful lump pushing through the muscle you are trying to use. The movement will thus be restricted due to the pain, as will the amount of strength that you will be able to generate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Blinding Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is one symptom that is very difficult to miss! Many people describe the pain as blinding and being all-encompassing. This is caused not only by the tear in the muscle itself but also by the pressure being applied to the organ which shouldn\u2019t normally be affected in this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This searing pain can make it very difficult to go about your usual activities and is highly restrictive. Likewise, a number of different things can make the pain worse: including basic things like going to the toilet (as mentioned) as well as things like sneezing, coughing, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important therefore to try and dose yourself with analgesics<\/a>, to take rest and refrain from activity, and to apply a warm compress or another treatment that will help to ease the discomfort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Fever and Vomiting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Also common are fever and vomiting<\/a>. You may find yourself retching and vomiting as a result of something called an incarcerated hernia. This is the type of hernia that gets trapped in the abdominal wall and can\u2019t be pushed back in. Normally you should find that you can actually move the hernia, and push it back where it is meant to go (and this can provide some relief). When that won\u2019t happen, it means the organ is being permanently strangulated by the muscle and the blood supply is being cut off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the organ, this can cause a wide range of very serious symptoms. Common are nausea, vomiting, intense pain that won\u2019t subside and more. You will find that you can\u2019t get the usual relief, and the act of vomiting actually makes the pain even more severe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For these reasons, it is extremely important that you see a doctor quickly if you suspect that you may have a case of an incarcerated hernia. This is important not only because you may be able to get some relief from the significant pain, but also because you could otherwise find that permanent damage is caused to the organs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Tiredness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many more symptoms associated with a hernia, which can include things like lumps on the legs, or diarrhea<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often though, we overlook the less obvious signs that something is wrong \u2013 which often are the signs that we should be listening too in order to prevent matters from getting worse early on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of these signs is tiredness. Early on, you might find that you feel lethargic and tired, as your body struggles with the pain and discomfort of the hernia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As time goes on, you\u2019re likely to experience this tiredness more and more. You will find that the pain makes it difficult to do usual things and that you require a lot more effort and a lot more energy in order to do them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Living with any kind of constant pain can be incredibly difficult and this is especially true with something so invasive and all-encompassing as a hernia. This is why it\u2019s important to listen out for those early signs and to see a GP as soon as possible before the situation worsens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you spot these symptoms, then book a trip to your doctor!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Feeling of Heaviness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not all forms of hernia are going to be immediately apparent. Most of us associate a hernia in particular with the appearance of a large bulge in the affected area \u2013 caused by the organ pushing through the muscle wall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not the case in all forms of hernia, however, for instance in a \u2018hiatal hernia<\/a>\u2019, the hernia affects the lungs and the diaphragm \u2013 meaning that it pushes through the diaphragm against the bottom of the lungs and thereby makes it more difficult to breathe. This is entirely internal, however, meaning that it won\u2019t cause the visible appearance of a bulge as with many other forms of hernia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you can\u2019t lookout for a bulge then how do you know where precisely the area is that\u2019s being affected, or at all what is going on? Often, sufferers will report that they feel a sensation of \u2018heaviness\u2019 in the affected area, which is accompanied by more blinding pain. If you find your lungs and upper abdomen feels heavy and painful, then this could point to a hernia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Passing Out<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Passing out is another symptom of a hernia. Here the pain is so overwhelming that it can actually cause you to faint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This happens due to the effect that intense pain can have on the vagus nerve \u2013 the nerve that helps to regulate the autonomic nervous system. When you breathe very quickly, or when your heart rate becomes very elevated, this can trigger the release of excitatory neurotransmitters <\/a>and hormones like cortisol and adrenaline\/norepinephrine. This is what causes the state we know as fight or flight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In extreme cases, this can eventually cause the brain to shut down. This happens for instance if you <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Weakness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Weakness <\/a>is a common symptom of a hernia, the reason being that the condition affects the muscles and thereby makes it more difficult to use them normally. For instance, if you have a hiatal hernia that protrudes through the abdominal muscles, then this is going to make it harder to use the abs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The abs are used for a huge range of different things, from bending over, to sitting up. However, they are also used when simply maintaining an upright position, as the body needs to counteract the effect of the muscles of the back such as the erector spine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The abs are likewise used when stabilizing during a host of other movements, so if you find it hard to get up, to walk, or to lift things, then this could be due to damage to those muscles \u2013 such as that caused by a hernia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Loss of Appetite<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you injure yourself, this can always lead to a loss of appetite <\/a>as the body becomes preoccupied with attempting to heal the wound. In this case, that means more blood, oxygen, and nutrients being directed to the affected area and immune systems, away from other functions like those that regulate appetite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time though, there are specific types of hernia that can impact the appetite in a more direct manner. For instance, in the case of the inguinal hernia \u2013 which causes pressure from the intestines \u2013 this can sometimes place pressure on the bottom of the stomach. This can in turn then cause the stomach to essentially shrink in size, thereby reducing appetite and making you full quicker. This can have a similar impact to using a gastric band \u2013 where the stomach has shrunk and thereby less food is able to fit in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Swelling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you think of a hernia, you probably think of a large lump or protrusion. This is literally caused by an organ pushing through muscle in order to bulge out from the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this is not the only type of enlargement to look out for. Also important to consider is the appearance of general swelling <\/a>around the affected area. This can occur as the body attempts to heal the damage to the muscle, and also any potential damage to the muscle. Blood, oxygen, and white blood cells will be rushed to the area to try and encourage the healing and to prevent infection, and this can cause it to become larger. It may also be tender to the touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should keep an eye on this in order to look for any potential signs of a complication. For instance, you may experience an infection, which can occur if bacteria makes its way to the wounded area. This will then in turn cause color changes (the skin may darken) and it can also cause symptoms like fever and nausea. If you suspect an infection, then it is very important to get this seen by a physician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Risk Factors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When looking at symptoms, it is always important to consider risk factors<\/a>: in other words, how likely is it that you might be suffering from that specific condition? In the case of a hernia, there are numerous factors that make it more or less likely that this could be the cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, you are more likely to experience certain types of hernia if you are male (such as inguinal hernia). You are also more likely to experience hernia if you engage in a lot of physical exercise, or have recently been straining and placing pressure on your muscles.
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