An incisional hernia is a ventral hernia, that appears on the abdominal wall at the site of a previous surgical scar.
Incisional hernias develop due to weak and unhealed muscles after surgical intervention through the abdominal wall.
Both men and women who have undergone open or laparoscopic abdominal surgery are prone to incisional hernia. Yet most often women get underdiagnosed for incisional hernias as the incisional hernia symptoms tend to vary a little for men and women. Pregnancy after an abdominal surgery can also trigger incisional hernia in women.
Incisional Hernia Symptoms in Females
Most often women do not get a visible bulge on their abdomen like men which indicates an incisional hernia. This becomes a reason for underdiagnosis. If you sense possible hernia symptoms but cannot confirm them through visible symptoms, take imaging tests to confirm the hernia.
Some of the incisional hernia symptoms that women can endure include
- Bulge or swelling
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Increased heartbeat rate
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
Bulge or Swelling
A visible bulge in the site of the surgical incision is an indicator of a possible hernia. At times women also get a visible bulge with the content of the hernia, the omentum, or parts of the bowel getting stuck in the hernia sac. A visible bulge is a signal of severe hernia most of the time.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain or discomfort may arise out of an incisional hernia hurting the abdominal region. Also, when the abdomen contents move out of position and stress on the abdominal wall it results in abdominal pain.
An obstructed bowel can increase abdominal pain as well. This can interfere with digestion and lead to related complications.
Vomiting
Incisional hernias can cause vomiting due to displacement of the bowels, obstruction of the bowels, indigestion, and so on.
Increased Heartbeat Rate
Larger incisional hernias are also found to cause increased heartbeat rates.
Constipation
With bowel displacements due to incisional hernia constipation issues also ensue.
Diarrhea
The issue of diarrhea indicates that the incisional hernia is getting worse and needs medical intervention.
Treatment Options for Incisional Hernia
Treatment options for incisional hernia depend upon the severity of the case.
In the case of smaller hernias with less than 10 cm of transverse diameter, laparoscopic or robotic surgery can be used. It is minimally invasive and less severe hernias can be treated using it.
For hernias with more than 10 cm of transverse diameter, open surgery is advisable. Large hernias are usually severe and symptomatic and demand immediate medical attention.
Conclusion
Stay careful of lifting heavy weights or engaging in strenuous activities after abdominal surgery as it can cause incisional hernia.
Give enough rest for the incisional region to heal after surgery. You can also add a high-protein diet to increase the strength of the abdominal wall tone.
On encountering any symptoms that indicate an incisional hernia consult a hernia specialist and get elective surgery preferably to prevent the hernia from turning fatal.
To know more about incisional hernia symptoms in females and how to get cured of it contact a hernia specialist.
