Photo from Pixabay
Originally Posted On : https://surgcomd.com/blog/can-a-hernia-cause-diarrhea/
Did you know that more than one million surgeries every year take place to repair hernias? A hernia may start out as a mild problem and quickly become a much bigger issue. At first, some people may not even know that they have a hernia until it starts to become more serious.
You might wonder if a hernia can cause diarrhea or other strange symptoms. Keep reading and learn more about what a hernia is, what kind of symptoms it causes, and what you should do to treat the problem.
What You Need To Know About Hernias
There are many different types of hernias that can occur in the body. Some people are more likely to get certain hernias than others. Also, some types of hernias are more serious than others.
There are also many hernia causes. For example, some people develop hernias after lifting a heavy object while others may seem to get hernias without any reason or warning. A hernia is a condition in which some part of your body starts to squeeze through an opening in your muscles.
For example, a portion of your intestine may slip through a weak opening in your muscles. The same may happen with fatty tissue. The most common type of hernia is the inguinal hernia.
This type occurs in the inner groin. It is very common in men compared to women because men naturally have a weaker muscular wall in this area. Usually, it is part of the intestine that ends up protruding through the muscles in this area, however, in some cases, part of the bladder may protrude through the muscles instead.
An incisional hernia is a different type that is far less common. It usually occurs after abdominal surgery. If the surgeon does not close the incision as securely as necessary, part of the intestine or some fatty tissue in the abdomen may protrude out of the muscle.
The Details
This type of hernia tends to be more common in those who are overweight. Femoral hernias tend to be more common in women, especially pregnant women. This type of hernia occurs when a section of the intestine shifts and moves into the area in which the femoral artery exists in the upper thigh.
Umbilical hernias, as the name suggests, affect the area of the navel. This type is not very common in adults, especially not adult men. Instead, these hernias are much more common in infants.
However, pregnant women or women who have had children in the past may occasionally get these hernias. Finally, there is the hiatal hernia. This hernia is not very common and it involves part of the stomach squeezing through a part of the diaphragm.
Usually, only the esophagus exists in this space known as the hiatus. As mentioned before, hernias can occur for all sorts of reasons, but more often than not, they occur when there is excess pressure somewhere on the abdomen. But what are the symptoms of hernias and can they cause diarrhea in particular?
The Symptoms of a Hernia
There are many symptoms that could result from a hernia. Depending on the severity of the hernia, some symptoms may vary. In most cases, you will be able to feel where the hernia is and you may even be able to see it.
In particular, you should notice a small bulge wherever the hernia is in your body. This bulge may be very tender or painful when you press on it. In some cases, you may be able to press the hernia back into your body but it may pop out again due to physical activity.
When lifting objects or bending down to pick something up, the hernia may be especially uncomfortable. Upon laying down, the hernia may appear to disappear completely. Many people who have hernias describe the condition as having a heavy sensation in their abdomen.
Often, a hernia may cause constipation and a person with a hernia may be unable to pass gas. In other cases, a hernia may cause diarrhea, but this is not as common as a symptom as constipation. Constipation as a result of a hernia can be especially dangerous as this can lead to the buildup of gas and waste in the intestines.
What You Need to Know
In severe cases, without seeking out hernia treatments, the intestines may rupture as a result. This is often fatal if left untreated. Besides constipation and diarrhea, a person may experience sharp pains around the hernia.
Some may also have a difficult time eating and swallowing food. If you think you have a hernia, it is important to get it treated right away or it might only end up getting worse. If a hernia gets worse, you may develop a fever and you may start to vomit.
Usually, surgical options are necessary to treat a hernia. A surgeon usually needs to place the portion of the intestine back where it is supposed to be while closing the separation of the muscle. Doing this should solve the problem.
As long as you don’t engage in any strenuous activity after the surgery, you should be fine and the hernia should not come back.
Everything You Must Know About Hernias
There are many types of hernias and they can vary in terms of their severity. Some may be pushed in while others may cause constant pain and even become a serious problem. Hernias can cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.
Usually, surgery is necessary to correct the hernia, especially severe hernias. To learn more about hernia repair, don’t hesitate to contact us here.
