Abdominal Hernia: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Cost
Abdominal hernia occurs when the abdomen's contents protrude through a weak point in the abdominal wall, causing a bulge or swelling in the abdomen or groin. Leicester Bowel Clinic specialists can assist in diagnosing and treating this condition.
What is an Abdominal Hernia?
A multi-layered surrounding wall holds the contents (organs and tissues) of the abdomen, or tummy, in place. When there is a weak spot in this abdominal wall, the contents of the abdomen partially spill outside through it. This is called an abdominal hernia.
Most cases of abdominal hernia require surgery for treatment at some point after diagnosis. In the absence of major symptoms, doctors may suggest watchful waiting.
Abdominal Hernia Types
| Abdominal Hernia Type | Description | High-Risk Groups | Location/Site of External Bulge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incisional Hernia | An incision (cut) in the abdominal wall created during a previous abdominal surgery. | Individuals who have undergone abdominal surgery. | Around the site of the incision |
| Epigastric Hernia | A weak point in the upper abdominal wall, between the rib cage and the navel (belly button). | Individuals who have had prior abdominal surgery or injury. | Upper abdomen (above the navel) |
| Umbilical Hernia | Contents of the bowel push through the belly button (umbilicus). | Pregnant women and obese patients. | Around the navel |
| Inguinal Hernia | Bowel contents push through a weak spot in the groin muscle. | Men, Older adults | Groin or inner thigh (usually on the right side) |
| Femoral Hernia | Weakness in the groin near the femoral canal (blood vessel running through the groin that pumps blood to the legs). | Women, pregnant women | Top of the inner thigh, near the groin crease |
What are the Symptoms of Abdominal Hernia?
The symptoms of abdominal hernia can vary based on the type of hernia.
- A bulge or swelling may be noticed at the location of the hernia.
- Sometimes, the hernia is “reducible,” meaning it can be manually pushed back in to temporarily remove the bulge. The bulge may disappear when lying down and reappear when standing up, especially when straining (coughing, lifting heavy objects, twisting, etc.).
- Pain and discomfort in the area are also commonly reported symptoms of abdominal hernias.
- You may feel a pulling or dragging sensation in some cases, like inguinal hernias.
When Should You Seek Medical Help?
Hernias are often asymptomatic (no apparent symptoms). If you are experiencing any of the listed abdominal hernia symptoms, it is advised that you consult a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and discuss treatment options if required.
In many cases, immediate surgery may not be required. However, adults diagnosed with hernia typically require surgery within 5–10 years of diagnosis.
Some cases, like strangulation, are life-threatening and require emergency surgery. Here, the blood supply to the tissue that pushes through gets cut off, resulting in its death.
If you experience the following symptoms of abdominal hernia, you should consult a doctor at the earliest:
- Severe and constant pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty during bowel movements
- Inability to pass stools or wind
- Change in skin colour at the hernia site
What Causes Abdominal Hernia?
Abdominal hernias (like umbilical hernias) may be present at birth but are most often developed in adulthood. Weakening of abdominal wall muscles causes abdominal hernias. Factors that raise abdominal pressure consistently weaken the abdominal wall. Some risk factors include:
- Obesity
- Chronic constipation
- Chronic cough
- Lifting heavy objects or weights consistently
- Pregnancy
- Prior abdominal surgery
- Ageing
How is an Abdominal Hernia Diagnosed?
The doctor will inquire about your symptoms, lifestyle habits, and a detailed medical history. This helps identify any potential symptoms and risk factors that may put you in the high-risk category or require immediate surgery.
For hernias that have appeared externally as an outward bulge, a physical examination usually suffices for diagnosis. If the doctor feels the need for further confirmation, or if there is no external bulge, imaging tests may be performed.
What are the Treatment Options for Abdominal Hernia?
A complete repair of abdominal hernias can only be done surgically. However, in many cases, surgery may not be necessary right away. The doctor will either recommend surgery or actively monitor symptoms while waiting, depending on several factors.
1. Careful Monitoring While Waiting
The doctor will suggest careful monitoring of symptoms as well as lifestyle modifications like avoiding activities that strain the abdominal muscles if surgery is not needed. This may be the case if:
- There are no major or unmanageable symptoms.
- The hernia is small.
- The patient is older and/or has been diagnosed with other medical conditions that raise the risks associated with surgery.
- The patient prefers to defer surgery unless absolutely necessary.
Bear in mind that hernias will not heal by themselves and will typically require surgery at some point.
2. Hernia Support Garments
In some cases, wearing a support belt will be sufficient to help with the symptoms related to hernias, keeping the hernia in place. However, this will not treat the hernia. Support garments can provide comfort and help manage symptoms while awaiting surgery or if surgery is not immediately necessary.
3. Hernia Repair Surgery
Surgery to repair abdominal hernias involves the surgeon pushing the abdominal contents back inside the abdomen and sewing the gap shut. The abdominal wall’s strength may be further reinforced by using a mesh laid atop the repaired spot.
The surgery can be done in two ways:
- Open procedure: A large cut is made in the abdomen to repair the abdominal wall.
- Laparoscopic or keyhole procedure: A minimally invasive procedure is performed where small holes are made in the abdomen. Abdominal wall repair is done using thin medical instruments inserted in these holes, guided by a camera attached to one of them..
Why Choose the Leicester Bowel Clinic?
Book a consultation with us to get treatment for your condition
At Leicester Bowel Clinic, we focus on bowel health and conditions, digestive issues, and cancer care. Our clinic offers minimally invasive procedures for bowel problems, ensuring effective results and patient comfort. We aim to provide personalised care for our patients and offer the latest treatments for hernias, bowel conditions and rectal disorders.
Pricing
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Our Locations
Leicester Bowel Clinic at Spire Hospital
- Wednesdays evenings (Mr Runau) from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at: Spire Leicester Hospital Gartree Road Leicester LE2 2FF
- To arrange an appointment directly with the Spire Leicester Hospital, please call the booking line on 0116 2653685
*Free on-site parking is available.
The Health Suite
- CLINICS The Health Suite Thursday evenings (Mr Chaudhri) from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at:The Health Suite, 624a Uppingham Rd, Leicester LE7 9QB
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Leicester Bowel Clinic at Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital
- 1st and 3rd Friday of the month (Mr Chaudhri) from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm at: Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital, Scraptoft Ln, Leicester LE5 1HY
- To arrange an appointment directly with The Nuffield Hospital, please call the booking line on 0300 1311416
*Free on-site parking is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. Is it possible to live with a hernia?
In its initial stages, a hernia can be asymptomatic and may not require medical intervention. However, there are potentially life-threatening complications associated with hernias. If you experience any pain or discomfort, you should seek treatment.
02. What is the best treatment for a hernia?
The only treatment option for a complete hernia repair is surgery. However, surgery may not be required right away. The doctor may suggest watchful waiting instead, depending on several factors.
03. Can a hernia repair itself?
While hernias may not always cause symptoms, they will only worsen over time. Hernias cannot heal by themselves and require surgical intervention.
04. What is the main cause of a hernia?
Hernia is caused by the weakening of muscles that make up the abdominal wall. The abdominal wall is responsible for keeping its contents in place (organs and tissues). Several factors contribute to the weakening of this wall, including natural processes like ageing and chronic conditions like constipation and cough.
