An epigastric hernia occurs in the upper abdomen between the breast bone and belly button and develops in a similar way to an umbilical hernia. As hernias of this kind are generally quite small it is possible to have more than one at a time.
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An epigastric hernia occurs in the upper abdomen between the breast bone and belly button and develops in a similar way to an umbilical hernia. As hernias of this kind are generally quite small it is possible to have more than one at a time.
An Epigastric Hernia usually occurs at birth but it can also develop in adults on rare occasions. A hernia of this kind can be caused by the weakening of the abdominal wall, coughing, straining on the toilet, heavy lifting, obesity, or a build up of fluid in the abdomen.
In babies and young children, there will be a noticeable lump which will be more apparent when pressure is put upon the abdomen. In adults, there is usually swelling or a bulge in the upper abdominal area (the epigastric region) that is visible when pressure is applied to the region e.g during bowel movements, when coughing or during heavy lifting. The bulge can range from the size of a small grape to a large grapefruit.
Epigastric Hernia Surgery is the recommended option. Even though an epigastric hernia can be relatively painless, if they are left untreated they can enlarge. Leaving them alone can also increase the risk of strangulation , making them more difficult to repair.
There are two main surgical repair treatments available for those suffering from the condition:
Many hernias do not hurt so the temptation is to ignore them and not seek medical advice. However this can be damaging and is not recommended. If left untreated an Epigastric Hernia will grow and discomfort and pain, even if negligible to start with, will intensify.
To ask a question or book an appointment you can contact our team by calling 020 3370 1014 or by emailing us at [email protected].
The Hernia Unit provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of all hernia types and can offer a number of surgery options depending on the individual needs of each patient.
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