Symptoms, treatment and when to see a doctor

If you’ve noticed a new lump, pain, or even acid reflux and are wondering if it could be a hernia, you’re not alone. Hernias are common, but not all are dangerous. Some cause mild discomfort, while others require prompt medical attention.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the most common types – so you can understand what might be happening, know when to see a doctor, and get the right treatment to feel better.

The easiest hernias to manage

Hiatal hernias

These hernias develop when tissue from the abdominal cavity pushes up toward the chest. You may not even know you have a hiatal hernia. When symptoms do appear, it is often heartburn or reflux – annoying but not life-threatening. Medications, diet changes, and sometimes surgery can help.

Umbilical hernias

These tend to appear near the belly button. Some children are born with them and leave alone. Adults can also have an umbilical hernia. Unless they are large or painful, they are usually not a problem.

Hernias that catch your attention

Inguinal hernias

This is the one that often comes to mind when we think of a hernia. It’s a bulge in the groin. Inguinal hernias may hurt, pull, or feel heavy, especially if you lift something.

As Aaron Sachs, MD, a surgeon at UVA Health who specializes in hernia repair, says: “The most common form for a hernia to appear is simply a mass in the groin. »

Usually, inguinal hernias are not an emergency, but they are also not repairable. Surgery to repair the hernia is usually the preferred solution.

Femoral hernias

Femoral hernias occur in the upper thigh and are more common in women than men. These hernias can be subtle and are not always painful at first.

Sachs notes that because of their anatomy, “women are generally more likely to have complications.”

Femoral hernias are riskier than inguinal hernias. They are more likely to get stuck and cause problems. This is why your doctor will likely recommend prompt repair of this type of hernia.

Serious commercial hernias

Incisional hernias

If you have already had abdominal surgery, you may have one along your old scar. Incisional hernias can grow over time, pulling on the abdomen and causing discomfort.

You may need surgery if you have an incisional hernia because it rarely stays small.

Cullen Carter, MD, a surgeon at UVA Health who specializes in abdominal surgery, including hernia repair, cautions: “An incisional hernia will be a more complicated repair because there is a lot of scar tissue associated with that previous surgery, so it’s a higher risk.”

Epigastric hernias

These hernias develop in the upper abdominal region. They can cause pain if tissue gets stuck. They also tend to get worse over time. Although it is not usually an emergency, it is best not to ignore this type of hernia.

Strangulated hernias

Strangulated hernias are not actually a type of hernia: they are a complication. Any hernia can become strangulated if the blood supply is cut off. When this happens, the pain can be severe and is considered a medical emergency.

“Strangulation means the intestine has lost its blood supply and is dying or dead,” Carter explains.

If you experience sudden, severe pain, nausea, or a hernia that changes color, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Types of hernias: the basics

Not all hernias are equal. Some are more complicated. Others are dangerous and require prompt treatment. The main thing is to know the signs, listen to your body and not wait too long to see a doctor.