An epigastric hernia is a type of abdominal wall hernia. Although less common than an inguinal canal hernia, an epigastric hernia is more common in men than women. When an epigastric hernia does develop, it tends to cause a small bulge or lump in the front of the abdomen wall. Infants, children, and adults can develop or be born with an epigastric hernia.
Hernia
There are several kinds of hernias, but the all happen when pressure pushes an organ (often the intestine) through a weak spot in a muscle face or wall. Different kinds of hernias have different risk factors. 4/5 of all hernias are inguinal hernias, where the intestine (or occasionally the bladder) pushes through the lower abdominal wall-near or into the groin. Most of these occur in men, although they are also common in newborns because the abdominal walls in babies are weak.
Treatment for hernias can be no treatment, to medicines to surgery. Many hernias are not serious, although larger ones certainly can be, and complications can include an obstruction of the digestive tract. Modern surgical methods to treat hernias are much improved over older techniques and recovery times are much shorter.
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2 AnswersA
See All 2 AnswersHernias are a problem because they can lead to many serious complications. Hernias commonly involve the abdominal wall, and while they may initially be painless, in some cases the intestines may become trapped in a hernia, leading to a loss of blood supply and death of that tissue. If this occurs, urgent surgery is sometimes required and may result in the loss of part of the intestines or a serious infection. If a person has a hernia it is important to talk with a doctor, who will determine if it needs to be surgically repaired to prevent any serious complications.
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Sigma Nursing answeredIf you have an inguinal hernia, you can first try to treat it at home. Home treatments include lying down and carefully pushing the hernia back behind the abdominal muscles or icing the hernia until it slides back. If these do not work and your inguinal hernia is painful, your doctor may recommend surgery. While you are waiting for surgery avoid heavy lifting, smoking, and binding foods.
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Sigma Nursing answered
A sciatic hernia is a rare type of hernia that develops in the pelvic area through the sciatic foramen. Unlike other abdominal wall hernias, a swelling or bulge is difficult to detect because of its position under the larger gluteus muscle that covers the back of the pelvis. Sciatic hernia symptoms will depend upon the organs inside of the hernia sac - small intestine, uterus, bladder, ovary and fallopian tube, or colon. Women have a greater risk of sciatic hernia because of the width of their pelvis. Sciatic hernias can develop in children or adults.
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Sigma Nursing answered
A perineal hernia is a type of abdominal hernia that develops when part of the abdomen pushes into the pelvis. Although rare, incidences of perineal hernias are higher in women than in men. This type of groin-related hernia can be misdiagnosed as an inguinal or femoral hernia. Pre-operative diagnosis can be difficult because the hernia sac is often hidden within the folds of muscle that make up the floor of the pelvis. When the hernia sac is found to be pushing through the pelvis floor, a diagnosis of inguinal or femoral hernia is then changed to perineal hernia.
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Oak Hill Hospital answeredSee All 2 AnswersA lumbar hernia is less common than other hernias, located at the flank and usually goes unnoticed until weight gain or straining.
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Sigma Nursing answered
An epigastric hernia is treated with surgery to repair the opening in the abdomen wall that runs between the breastbone and naval. Most epigastric hernia surgery can be scheduled; emergency surgery is rare. There are two types of hernia surgery—herniorrhaphy (one long incision) and laparoscopy (several small incisions). Having more than one epigastric hernia or severe symptoms can influence which surgery is used to treat your hernia.
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Sigma Nursing answered
In most cases, an uncomplicated lumbar hernia has few, if any, symptoms. When symptoms are present they include a bulge or knot under the skin and a feeling of heaviness or achiness in the lower back. Lumbar hernias that become incarcerated, strangulated, or otherwise complicated, can cause more severe symptoms including abdominal cramping and an irreducible hernia bulge. Lumbar hernias can grow larger.
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TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center answeredAn incarcerated hernia is the medical term for a hernia that has become trapped. When the hernia becomes trapped the contents inside may become swollen and the blood vessels become blocked, causing the contents within the hernia to die. This is called strangulation. Both of these situations can be medical emergencies and you should notify and be seen by your doctor immediately.
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Riverside Health System answeredSee All 3 AnswersSymptoms of inguinal hernia are as follows:
A small bulge in one or both sides of the groin that may increase in size and disappear when lying down; in males, it can present as a swollen or enlarged scrotum. Discomfort or sharp pain-especially when straining, lifting, or exercising-that improves when resting. A feeling of weakness or pressure in the groin. A burning, gurgling, or aching feeling at the bulge.
This answer is based on source information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.