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Hernia: Symptoms and Treatment

A hernia happens when an internal organ or tissue pushes through a weakness in the surrounding muscle. This causes a visible lump or bulge. The condition is often painless but can cause discomfort in some cases.

Symptoms of a Hernia

A visible bulge is the main symptom of a hernia. There may be other symptoms depending on where the hernia appears. These include a lump or swelling in the abdomen or groin and pain when lifting, bending, or coughing. There may be a heavy sensation in the affected area. In severe cases, the hernia may become strangulated. This may cause purple bruising, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Causes of a Hernia

A hernia is caused by muscle weakness and strain. Other specific causes of a hernia include age, congenital defects, and physical exertion. Sometimes, pregnancy and obesity also cause hernias. In some cases, persistent coughing and sneezing can lead to a hernia.

Diagnosing a Hernia

A doctor can diagnose a hernia during a physical examination. They will feel for a bulge in the abdomen or groin while the patient stands, coughs, or strains. Sometimes, smaller hernias can be detected only using X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds.

Treating a Hernia

Treating a hernia depends on the size and severity of symptoms. Small hernias that don’t cause pain may not need treatment, but they should be monitored. Prescription medication can help relieve pain or discomfort. For large hernias, surgery may be the only option. Surgery usually repairs the hernia and strengthens the weakened area.

Preventing a Hernia

Preventing a hernia may be possible by following these steps:

  • Avoiding heavy lifting or using proper techniques when lifting objects
  • Doing abdominal strengthening exercises
  • Eating a high-fiber diet to prevent constipation
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Not smoking

To prevent a subsequent hernia, it is also crucial to see a doctor when you have a persistent cough.

Visit Legacy ER & Urgent Care for Hernia Treatment

Legacy ER & Urgent Care is here to meet your medical care needs by providing affordable pricing and quality care. As part of Intuitive Health’s innovative hybrid model ER and urgent care system, patients are only billed for the level of care they receive from professional and highly trained medical staff. With six facilities located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, emergent and non-emergent care are accessible and transparent, focusing on superb customer service.

Legacy ER & Urgent Care has six convenient locations in the DFW area:

  • Allen – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 1310 W. Exchange Pkwy Allen, TX 75013, and may be reached at 972-526-5819.
  • Coppell – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 330 S Denton Tap Rd Coppell, TX 75019 and may be reached at 469-702-9917.
  • Frisco East – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 16151 Eldorado Pkwy Frisco, TX 75035 and may be reached at 972-526-7009.
  • Frisco West – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 9205 Legacy Dr. Frisco, TX 75033, and may be reached at 972-526-7020.
  • McKinney – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 2810 Hardin Blvd McKinney, TX 75072 and may be reached at 972-573-6688.
  • North Richland Hills – Legacy ER & Urgent Care is located at 8950 N. Tarrant Pkwy North Richland Hills, TX 76182, and may be reached at 817-663-1247

Sources:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15757-hernia

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-hernia-basics

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/142334

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK395554/