Abdominal wall hernia can have a significant impact on a person's lifestyle. The pain and discomfort can make it difficult to perform everyday activities. The hernia may also be a source of anxiety or embarrassment.
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An abdominal wall hernia is a weakness or defect in the abdominal wall that allows abdominal contents to bulge or protrude through the weakened area. The abdominal wall is made up of muscles and tissues that attach those muscles to each other and to bone.
How Does Abdominal Wall Hernia Present Itself?
Abdominal wall hernias typically present as a visible bulge or lump beneath the skin. The bulge may be more noticeable when you are straining, such as when lifting something heavy. Other symptoms of abdominal wall hernia may include:
Pain or discomfort in the area of the bulge
A feeling of fullness or pressure in the abdomen
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation or diarrhea
In some cases, an abdominal wall hernia may become incarcerated or strangulated. Incarcerated hernia occurs when the hernia becomes trapped and cannot be pushed back into place. Strangulated hernia is a more serious condition that occurs when the blood supply to the herniated tissue is cut off. Strangulated hernia can cause severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Common Scenarios
People with abdominal wall hernia may experience the following scenarios:
Needing to avoid lifting heavy objects due to pain or discomfort.
Having difficulty performing certain physical activities due to the hernia.
Experiencing anxiety or embarrassment about the appearance of the hernia.
How Can You Help Yourself?
There are several things you can do to help yourself manage an abdominal wall hernia, including:
Avoiding activities that strain your abdominal muscles, such as lifting heavy objects.
Maintaining a healthy weight.
Eating a high-fiber diet to help prevent constipation.
Wearing a truss or support garment to help keep the hernia in place.
Why Do People Get Abdominal Wall Hernias?
There are several reasons why people get abdominal wall hernias. Some of the most common causes include:
Age: Abdominal wall hernias are more common in older adults. This is because the muscles and tissues in the abdominal wall weaken with age.
Gender: Abdominal wall hernias are more common in men than in women. This is because men have a lower abdominal muscle mass than women.
Genetics: In some cases, abdominal wall hernias can be caused by a genetic defect.
Lifestyle factors: Certain lifestyle factors, such as lifting heavy objects and smoking, can increase the risk of developing an abdominal wall hernia.
Who Gets Abdominal Wall Hernia?
Abdominal wall hernias can affect people of all ages, but they are most common in adults over the age of 50. They are slightly more common in men than women.
Symptoms of Abdominal Wall Hernia
The symptoms of abdominal wall hernia can vary depending on the type and severity of the hernia. However, some of the most common symptoms include:
A visible bulge or lump beneath the skin
Pain or discomfort in the area of the bulge
A feeling of fullness or pressure in the abdomen
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation or diarrhea
How Abdominal Wall Hernia Can Affect Lifestyle
Abdominal wall hernia can have a significant impact on a person's lifestyle. The pain and discomfort can make it difficult to perform everyday activities. The hernia may also be a source of anxiety or embarrassment.
How can Abdominal Wall Hernia be treated?
In most cases, abdominal wall hernia can be treated with surgery. The goal of surgery is to repair the weakened area in the abdominal wall and prevent the hernia from recurring.
Surgery for hernia can be done by both the traditional open technique or the 'keyhole' approach. Mr Veeramootoo is proficient at both and will offer the operation best suited to your presentation. He is also an active member of the British and European Hernia Society.
In general, surgery for abdominal wall hernia is very successful.
Diagnosing Abdominal Wall Hernia
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosing an abdominal wall hernia typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests.
Medical history: Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, including when they started, how severe they are, and how they affect your daily life. They will also ask about your medical history, including any family history of abdominal wall hernia or other abdominal conditions.
Physical examination: Your doctor will perform a physical examination to check for any signs of an abdominal wall hernia, such as a visible bulge or lump beneath the skin. They will also palpate the area to feel for any tenderness or resistance.
Imaging tests: Imaging tests can be used to confirm the diagnosis of an abdominal wall hernia and to determine its size and location. Common imaging tests used to diagnose abdominal wall hernia include:
Ultrasound: Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. It is a non-invasive and painless procedure that can be used to visualize the hernia and its contents. The ultrasound takes about 15-30 minutes to complete. You will be asked to lie down on a table, and the ultrasound technician will apply a gel to your abdomen. The technician will then move a transducer over your abdomen to create images of the hernia.
Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the inside of the body. It can provide more information about the hernia and its surrounding structures than ultrasound. The CT scan takes about 15-30 minutes to complete. You will be asked to lie down on a table, and a donut-shaped scanner will rotate around your body to take X-ray images. You may be asked to drink a contrast liquid before the scan to help make the hernia more visible on the images.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create images of the inside of the body. It can provide even more detailed images than a CT scan, but it is not as commonly used to diagnose abdominal wall hernia.The MRI takes about 30-60 minutes to complete. You will be asked to lie down on a table, and you will be placed in a large, cylindrical magnet. You may be asked to wear earplugs or headphones to block out the noise from the machine.
How long does it take to diagnose an abdominal wall hernia?
The time it takes to diagnose an abdominal wall hernia can vary depending on the availability of imaging tests and the expertise of Mr Veeramootoo. In most cases, an abdominal wall hernia can be diagnosed within a few weeks.
Possible outcomes
The diagnostic tests for abdominal wall hernia are highly accurate. In one study, ultrasound was 95% accurate in diagnosing inguinal hernias, the most common type of abdominal wall hernia. CT scans and MRIs are even more accurate, with accuracy rates of over 98%.
Pre-diagnosis and post-diagnosis
Pre-diagnosis
Before being diagnosed with an abdominal wall hernia, you may experience symptoms such as a visible bulge or lump beneath the skin, pain or discomfort in the area of the bulge, a feeling of fullness or pressure in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, or constipation or diarrhea. These symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions, so it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis.
Post-diagnosis
After being diagnosed with an abdominal wall hernia, you will have the opportunity to discuss treatment options with Mr Veeramootoo. Treatment options will depend on the type and severity of your hernia, as well as your overall health.
Long-term effects
The long-term effects of abdominal wall hernia can vary depending on the severity of your symptoms and how well you respond to treatment. With proper treatment, most people with abdominal wall hernia can live long and healthy lives.