Prolonged pelvic pain without swelling may be a sign of an occult hernia. Read on to learn about the causes and treatment of this health problem.
Pelvic pain can be a nightmare for anyone, especially when you are not sure what may be causing it. While there are many possible reasons for pelvic pain, one very common cause that often goes unnoticed is a hidden hernia. In that regard, it is essential to understand what a hidden hernia is and how it can be treated.
What is an occult hernia?
Occult hernia, also called hidden hernia, is not visible by the obvious swelling that is associated with a hernia as it is usually present deep beneath the skin. Hernias can be described as a medical condition where an internal weakness of the body pushes something through it. The tear is normally so small or is in a location that is not easily accessible for a surgeon and therefore goes undetected.
Diagnosis of occult hernia
The problem with occult hernias is that they can be confused with many simple or complex conditions, such as pelvic pain, especially in women, and so they are relatively difficult to diagnose. Early diagnoses may be associated with chronic pelvic pain, which may be sharp, dull, or constant, or intense. If the pain worsens with exercise, lifting, walking, bending, or the physical act of lifting, it is more likely to be an occult hernia. Other symptoms may include discomfort or even pressure in the lower abdomen. More often, a sign is pain with activity, particularly any activity that uses the abdominal muscles, such as exercising, coughing, and in some cases even laughing. Some people also mention a burning or tingling sensation in the affected region.
Risk factors for occult hernia
When we look at the risks and general causes of occult hernia formation, it is believed that people who have already suffered from a hernia are more likely to suffer from it again in the future. Activities that involve a lot of pressure, such as lifting heavy weights, can put a lot of pressure on the muscles located around the abdominal area. Or when a person has conditions such as prolonged coughing, it can also lead to a hernia. For women, weight gain and pressure during pregnancy can be a cause of hernia formation.
The biggest challenge associated with occult hernias is that they can be misdiagnosed as they are often not detected by the surgeon through regular testing and therefore ultrasound, CT and MRI scans are used to pinpoint a hernia that may not appear exposed from the outside.
Treatment of occult hernia
For more severe cases, minimally invasive surgery is available using laparoscopy, which is performed by looking inside the abdomen to locate the hernias. Hidden hernias are usually treated surgically. Several different surgical procedures are used to repair hernias, ranging from the traditional method of making a slightly larger incision to laparoscopic surgery using a camera to make small incisions.
If you ever suffer from unexplained pelvic pain, you should consider the possibility of an occult hernia. The sooner the condition is diagnosed, the better the chance of initiating appropriate treatment to prevent further complications and improve quality of life. If even after consistent treatment, pelvic pain persists, your doctor may suggest hernia surgery. Therefore, it is important to be alert to signs and symptoms that will allow for early detection and treatment of this often overlooked condition.
