A hernia, the symptoms of which are far from always pronounced, is quite common in people of different ages. Having small dimensions, it manifests itself weakly, and a person can only be bothered by a cosmetic defect, when complications begin, there is an urgent need to see a doctor, but some consequences may already be irreversible. Therefore, it is so important to know what a hernia is, the symptoms of this condition, causes and treatment. In this article, more attention will be paid to the symptoms of the most common types, so that it is easier to recognize a hernia in the early stages when complications have not yet begun, the most severe of which are non-management and infringement of the hernia, and simple treatment.
The main symptoms of a vertebral hernia:
- Pain in the back and lower back. At the initial stage of the disease, the patient will experience dull and intermittent pain, aggravated by coughing, sneezing, physical exertion, prolonged sitting or standing. After a while, when the hernia increases, the pain intensifies and begins to “give” to the thigh, leg or buttock. This condition is called sciatica. It is characterized by an increase in pain after a sharp change in body position or weight lifting. And the pain is now strong, shooting. Numbness of some parts of the skin of the legs may even occur;
- Reduced mobility in the lower back. Severe pain with intervertebral hernia often causes excessive muscle tension, while a person is not able to fully straighten his back. As a result, within a year, or even earlier, the patient develops a violation of posture - kyphosis or scoliosis;
- Weakness, numbness, tingling in both or only one leg. This suggests that the resulting hernia is already pressing on the roots of the spinal cord;
- Violations of urination (retention or urinary incontinence), stool (diarrhea or constipation), impotence can also occur.
Intervertebral hernias are most often found in adults aged 25-50 years, both in men and women.
The remaining hernias considered belong to a large group - abdominal hernias or abdominal hernias. Clarify the symptoms of the most common of them.
The main symptoms of an inguinal hernia are:
- Protrusion on one or both sides in the inguinal region;
- Pain in the hernia, which extends to the lower back and genitals, and increases after prolonged standing or heavy physical exertion;
- An increase on one side of the scrotum;
- Pain during urination, which with an inguinal hernia becomes more frequent.
Symptoms of umbilical hernia:
- A characteristic protrusion on the anterior abdominal wall, in the umbilical ring;
- Pain and other unpleasant sensations in the abdomen, back;
- With a large hernia - chronic constipation, intoxication of the body, exacerbation or occurrence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, vomiting and nausea, rumbling in the abdomen, belching;
- A feeling of heaviness in the navel area.
Umbilical hernia, its symptoms speak for themselves, it occurs mainly in children, and girls are much more likely than boys. Interestingly, in almost all newborns this type of hernia is observed, which is considered physiological at this time and normally passes within a few days.
The main symptoms of a femoral hernia:
- Protrusion in the lower abdomen, near the genitals;
- Swelling and discomfort on the corresponding side in the groin.
Femoral hernias are more common in women, while inguinal hernias are more common in men.
The main signs of postoperative hernia :
- Bulging at the site of the postoperative scar (for example, after cesarean section, recurrence of inguinal, umbilical or femoral hernias);
- Discomfort, pain in the protrusion.
Be attentive to yourself, and such an enemy as a hernia, the symptoms of which are mild and similar to other diseases, will not go unnoticed and will be neutralized during. Be healthy!