A common myth among people is that hernia can occur only in men. But, that’s not right as quite a number of women suffer from this problem as their masculine counterparts do. Hernia refers to the condition in which through an opening in the body, a part of a tissue has been pushed out.
It commonly occurs in the abdominal wall when the muscles and tissues of that area have weakened. It may also occur inside the diaphragm. The signs and symptoms experienced by women suffering from hernia are more or less same as that faced by men, such as chronic pelvic pain.
Some Of Most Common Signs And Symptoms Of Hernia In Women
A bulge or swelling that may pop in and out with episodes of pain and tenderness. Chronic pelvic pain. Pain when straining, lifting, or coughing.
Some women experience symptoms which are very subtle and as a result they are unable to realize that they are suffering from hernia, often mistaking it for some digestive disorder. In such cases, only a check-up can verify the disorder. This happens mainly because the protrusion is of a smaller size, therefore not hampering the normal functions of the body.
The Different Types Of Hernia And Their Symptoms
Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal hernia often causes symptoms usually noticed when one suffers from some kind of gastro esophageal problems or indigestion. This happens when a large portion of stomach tissue protrudes out thereby disrupting digestion and causing frequent heartburns. It can also cause the back of the mouth to become sour or bitter, and this often results in frequent stomach upsets, gas and nausea.
Inguinal Hernia
In inguinal hernia, a portion of the intestinal tract is pushed out through the abdominal wall, which is characterized by a severe chronic pelvic pain. Later as the protrusion begins near or in the groin region, a feeling of heaviness within the pelvis is also experienced. It will also be accompanied by a grouping of symptoms which are common during the Hiatal hernia.
Incarcerated Hernia
Incarcerated hernia or strangulated hernia is one in which the protrusion is trapped in the opening. Due to this, the affected portion of the intestines is drained of blood, in some cases even leading to deprivation. It also causes nausea resulting in severe vomiting and sudden onsets of fever.
Sports Hernia
Sports hernia is another kind of hernia that women need to watch out for. Typically slow in onset, it will cause severe pain in the abdomen along with a painful groin. Physical activities like running or bending will enhance the pain, as will coughing and sneezing. It can hang on for months and will require surgery.
Femoral Hernia
Femoral hernia occurs when abdominal contents are pushed through the wall towards the upper part of thigh. Its symptoms may not be noticeable at first, but as it progresses you may notice a bump or swelling. If the lump is small, there may not even be any pain. But if it gets stuck in the femoral canal it will cause severe pain. Femoral hernia can be cured without any surgery if its detected early.
