Many people develop hernias at various stages of their lives, and this is a condition that will often require surgery to correct. Unless the apparent hernia is causing you considerable discomfort, it shouldn't send you to an urgent care clinic. You will, however, want to see your doctor to not only diagnose the suspected hernia, but also discuss how to manage it and learn if surgery is appropriate. If you believe that you might have a hernia, call your family doctor's office to set an appointment. Here are some signs that can indicate a hernia.
Feeling Of Pressure
One of the most common indicators that you might have a hernia is what many people describe as a feeling of pressure in their lower abdominal area. The pressure may be subtle or it may be fairly overt, but it will likely be a new feeling that will alert you to something potentially being wrong. You might feel as though something is exerting pressure against the front of your abdomen, and while the feeling of pressure may change from time to time, it might never decrease to the point that you are no longer aware of it.
Discomfort During Activities
Another good way to tell that you may have a hernia is that you feel discomfort in your lower abdominal area when you're performing certain activities. While resting, you might be aware of the pressure feeling but not find that it's particularly uncomfortable. However, this feeling can intensify at times. When you lift something heavy, for example, you'll often notice significant discomfort. Similarly, you might experience discomfort when straining as you move your bowels. If you have a hernia, one of the best ways to manage it is to avoid lifting heavy objects, so it's likely that your doctor will encourage you to avoid this activity for the time being.
Unusual Bulge
Another good way to identify that you may have a hernia is that you've noticed a bulge in your lower abdominal area. This bulge can appear in a variety of locations, including in your belly button and in several spots between the belly button and your genital region. The emergence of a soft bulge can certainly be a concern, but you should avoid unnecessarily touching the area so as not to cause discomfort. If you've encountered any of these symptoms that suggest the presence of a hernia, call your family doctor's office to set up an appointment.
Reach out to a family care doctor near you to learn more.
Share10 July 2023
I am a mother of four wonderful children, and like other parents, I have been to my fair share of health care clinics. It seems like my children are always getting scrapes and coming down with colds. When I was a new parent, I never knew whether I should take my injured or ill child to the emergency room or local urgent care facility. I received some simple advice from a seasoned parent that made my decisions easier that I want to pass onto all new parents, along with other health tips I've learned. he told me that she tended to take her children to the ER when they were bleeding or had very high temperatures and took them to the local urgent care for any other problem. I have followed her advice ever since, and my children remain healthy and happy!
