A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening or weakness in the muscle around it. Signs and symptoms include one of the following: a lump in the groin or umbilical area that usually returns to its normal position with gentle pressure or by lying down; a protrusion at the site of a previous surgery; scrotal swelling, with or without pain; or fullness or swelling in the lips of the |vagina|. There are five common types of hernias that affect athletically active people and all can cause mild discomfort or pain at the site of the lump, particularly with |exercise| or competitive sports.
Hernias can be prevented as the weakened area will not herniate until it ruptures with heavy lifting or straining. Don't strain when having ~bowel~ movements. If you have to lift, lift properly by bending your knees, lift the object and rise using your leg muscles. Keep the object close to your body; don't bend from the waist and lift. If you have a hernia, don't use weight-lifting equipment until the hernia has been repaired surgically.
Treatment requires a doctor's diagnosis and surgery is necessary for the repair of the opening caused by the weakened muscle or connective tissue. Umbilical hernias usually heal spontaneously by age 4 and rarely require surgery. If the hernia becomes strangulated, which means it loses its ~blood~ supply, it may cause severe illness, including intestinal obstruction, |fever|, severe pain and |shock|. If you have the symptoms of a hernia, call your doctor. If you also have |fever| or severe pain, call immediately!
