hernia in females
Hernia in Women
The assumption that only men suffer from hernia is wrong. Hernia can occur in children and women as well, although it is true that it is more common in men. Hernia is life threatening, whether it is in men, women or children and should therefore, not taken for granted or ignored. Some types of hernia are commonly seen in women but the type or symptoms of hernia on women are also dependent to its location as it is in men. The location of the hernia has a vital role in the assessment of hernia symptoms in women.
The common symptoms of hernia on women are as follows:
• Hump or bulge – a hump or bulge appears under the abdominal wall when the protrusion pushes through the hole or weakened abdominal wall. Strenuous activities such as physical exercises, lifting of heavy objects and even coughing put a strain on the abdominal muscle, increasing the size of the bulge.
• Pain – Dull to severe pain is felt due to the tearing or stretching of the tissues but pain can also be caused by irritation or damaged nerve. The pain is usually localized, on the site of the hernia itself.
• Nausea or Vomiting – When the intestine is entrapped within the hernia, the normal flow of blood through the intestine is blocked causing nausea and vomiting. A partial blockage may only cause nausea without vomiting. It may also be a reason for loss of appetite
• Constipation – When the obstruction is total or the blockage is complete, it can also cause constipation which further promotes the protrusion.
• Urinary problems – A blockage or obstruction of the bladder, just like the intestine, can cause bladder stone, urinary burning, frequent urinary infections, increased frequency or hesitancy in urination.
• Other symptoms could be pain experienced during sexual intercourse
Female Hernia Symptoms, Signs
Usually hernia occurs when some part of an organ bulges into the neighboring muscle or organ of the body. Usually this bulging is caused in the abdominal area but it can occur in other places also. Hernia occurs both in male and female and the symptoms for hernia are also the same for both of them.
It is seen that usually there are no symptoms of hernia and it is discovered accidentally during a routine medical checkup. This case is true when the hernia is of smaller size, but when the hernia is considerably large then the female as well as the male will encounter many issues. The most common symptom of hernia in females is the heartburn, when the patient has an abdominal hernia due to the reason that a part of the stomach bulges into the diaphragm causing a little opening in the esophagus and allowing the stomach acids to move back into the esophagus. Due to this acid reflux, the patient experiences burning sensations and a sour taste in the mouth.
Another symptom which the female hernia patient may have is the nausea along with the heart burn. Due to the protrusion, the stomach becomes upset causing the patient to feel nauseous. The patient may vomit and may also suffer from a mild fever. The female hernia patient might suffer pain also around the protrusion area. Pain is usually caused by the pressure put on the area due to the protrusion. The patient may feel that the pain is pulling her down. The most important symptom is the bulge or the protrusion. Usually the bulge will be visible. This bulge or lump will normally be flesh colored, but if it turns from red to blue, it shows that some obstruction has occurred. The female patient will be able to see and feel it easily.
