Hernia

Any lump on the body can be a cause of concern and should be checked by the doctor. One of the causes of a lump in the groin, near an incision, on the thigh, or in the belly button area is a hernia. Other causes can be swollen lymph nodes or a cyst. A hernia is formed when there is a break or weakness in the strong layer between the abdominal wall and the muscle (fascia). This causes a sac to develop in the lining, creating a bulge or lump. There are different kinds of hernias; some of them are present at birth.

Types of Hernias

The groin area is not the only place that you will find a lump that could be a hernia, some babies and toddlers have a lump around the belly button area. Hernias also can be found on the thigh. These are types of hernias:

• Inguinal Hernia - This type of hernia may resemble a swollen lymph node in the groin area. The bulge may go into the scrotum.
• Hiatal Hernia - This type of hernia is the type that most people are familiar with. It occurs on the upper portion of the stomach.
• Umbilical Hernia - This type of hernia causes a lump in the belly button area. It is seen in infants and may or may not be noticeable at birth.
• Femoral Hernia - This type of hernia causes a lump on the upper thigh.
• Incision Hernia - This type of hernia occurs near a current or old incision in the abnormal wall.

Femoral hernias are more common in women and inguinal hernias are more common in men.

Causes of Hernias

Some hernias are present at birth, but there is no lump that is evident until adulthood. Some people may have a family history of hernias and may be more susceptible to them. Activities that can cause a hernia include the following:

• Heavy lifting
• Smoking
• Overexertion
• Extend crying

Health conditions that can cause a hernia include the following:

• Chronic straining during bowel movements
• Cystic fibrosis
• Chronic cough
• Obesity
• Malnutrition
• Undescended testicle
• Enlarged prostate that causes straining during urination
• Chronic pain in a child that leads to crying

Some hernias can be prevented by using the upper body for lifting, maintain a healthy weight, avoid constipation, pain relief, and having related health issues treated.

Hernia Symptoms

One of the first symptoms of a hernia may be pain and one of the first signs will be a lump. Pain that increases during exertion, staining, or lifting can be caused by a hernia. Often hernias have no symptoms, which is why they often go undiagnosed.

When there is severe pain it may be a symptom of a strangulated hernia, which will require immediate care and surgery. A strangulated hernia occurs when the tissue becomes lodged in the hole and the blood supply stops. This is a serious condition.

Hernias may be left to heal on their own and monitored or they may need surgery. Only a healthcare professional can determine the best treatment for a specific type of hernia.