How can you tell the difference between a hernia and abdominal strain?

Hernias cause a lump or bulge at the hernia site, which may ache or burn. A hernia can also cause constipation or nausea and vomiting (abdominal strains don't cause these problems). A hernia won't go away without treatment, but an abdominal muscle strain gets better with rest.

Can a strained abdominal muscle feel like a hernia?

A pulled abdominal muscle can sometimes feel similar to a hernia. A hernia is a bulge in the section of the abdomen when tissue, fat, or a part of the small intestines, expands through a weakened part of the abdomen. There are different types of hernias.

What does abdominal strain feel like?

If you have an abdominal strain, the surface of your stomach area may feel tender and inflamed. You're more likely to feel these sensations when you're contracting your abdominal muscles and moving. Other symptoms include: sudden sharp pain.

What can be mistaken for a hernia?

(SLS). Hernias can go misdiagnosed in women, and can instead be thought to be ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, or other abdominal issues, according to the SLS. Women's hernias can be small and internal. They might not be a bulge that can be felt in an exam or be visible outside the body, according to the SLS.

How long does a strained abdominal muscle take to heal?

A mild strain may heal within a few weeks. A more severe strain may take 6 weeks or longer.

Sports Hernia Vs. Groin Strain (DISCUSSION)

How do you diagnose a pulled abdominal muscle?

How do you treat a strained abdominal muscle?

What does abdominal hernia feel like?

Typically, patients with ventral hernias describe mild pain, aching or a pressure sensation at the site of the hernia. The discomfort worsens with any activity that puts a strain on the abdomen, such as heavy lifting, running or bearing down during bowel movements. Some patients have a bulge but do not have discomfort.

Where do you feel pain from a hernia?

The symptoms that lead most people to the doctor, and eventually a hernia diagnosis, typically include pain in the abdomen, particularly in the groin area. The pain tends to get worse if you sneeze, cough, lift something heavy or strain. But different types of hernia can cause other symptoms.

Does a hernia hurt if you push on it?

Symptoms. Typically, hernias don't hurt -- you see a bulge or lump in your belly or groin. Sometimes, you only see the bulge when you laugh, cough, or strain, like when you lift a heavy object. Often, you can press it back into place.

How do you know if stomach pain is internal or muscular?

Somatic pain is in the muscles, bones, or soft tissues. Visceral pain comes from your internal organs and blood vessels. Somatic pain is intense and may be easier to pinpoint than visceral pain. That's because your muscles, bones, and skin are supplied with a lot of nerves to detect pain.

How long does a muscle strain last?

For a mild strain, you may be able to return to normal activities within three to six weeks with basic home care. For more severe strains, recovery can take several months. In severe cases, surgical repair and physical therapy may be necessary. With proper treatment, most people recover completely.

Can you strain an abdominal muscle?

A strain can vary in severity from a mild stretch to a full rupture. In an abdominal muscle strain, any one of the four muscles can be injured causing extreme discomfort with any trunk movements as well as with coughing, laughing, deep breathing, or sneezing.

Does hernia pain come and go?

A hernia can also be painless and only appear as a bulging. The pain may be intermittent or constant and the swelling may decrease or be absent, depending on the amount of pressure in the abdomen. Constant, intense pain at a bulge site may indicate a medical emergency and should be evaluated immediately by a doctor.

Where can you get a hernia in your abdomen?

The most common types of hernia are inguinal (inner groin), incisional (resulting from an incision), femoral (outer groin), umbilical (belly button), and hiatal (upper stomach). In an inguinal hernia, the intestine or the bladder protrudes through the abdominal wall or into the inguinal canal in the groin.

Can a hernia cause gas and bloating?

An inguinal hernia can cause someone to feel like they had an enormous meal when in fact they did not. This very common type of hernia can also make you feel bloated accompanied with pain in the groin and lower abdomen. Some of these easy to miss signs of a hernia can be potentially dangerous if not treated.

Can a slight hernia heal on its own?

Hernias don't go away on their own. Only surgery can repair a hernia. Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia.

How do you know if you have an internal hernia?

Since internal hernias are not visible externally, they may require imaging studies in order to be visualized. Computerized tomography (CT) scans are frequently used to diagnose an internal hernia, but an X-ray can also be used when a CT scan is unavailable.

What does abdominal wall pain feel like?

The acute pain is described as localized, dull, or burning, with a sharp component (usually on one side) radiating horizontally in the upper half of the abdomen and obliquely downward in the lower abdomen. The pain may radiate when the patient twists, bends, or sits up.

What causes muscle pull in the stomach?

Muscle strain

Overworking your abdominal muscles could cause them to spasm. Spasms due to muscle strain are most likely to occur in people who do strenuous and frequent exercise, especially crunches and situps. Other symptoms of muscle strain are: tenderness or pain in your abs.

Why do I feel like I have a tight band around my stomach?

In most cases, a tight stomach is caused by physical factors, such as digestive issues or hormonal changes. The feeling can also be caused by chronic stress. Stress reduction techniques, such as mindfulness, may be helpful in such cases.

Do I have a hernia or a pulled muscle?

Physical Lumps and Bumps. When someone experiences a pulled abdominal muscle, there can be inflammation and some swelling, but generally no physically-identifiable marker. A hernia usually causes a noticeable bulge on the surface of the abdomen. This bulge can be painless but change in size with exertion.

What are the signs and symptoms for abdominal injuries?

Is it a hernia or something else?

Hernias are commonly under-pronounced while lying down as there is less pressure on your abdominal wall from your internal organs. Even a lump that doesn't reduce in size when you lie down could be a hernia, or it could be something else. Both are good reasons to speak to your doctor.

How do I know if I strained a muscle?