Hernias
Hernias present as soft, spongy bulges usually in the abdominal wall. The most common locations are around the belly button and in either groin. However, if you have ever had surgery, a hernia can form at any previous incision site. Though usually not causing pain, a hernia can intermittently become uncomfortable and sometimes extremely painful. If you have noticed a new bulge on you abdomen, you should seek consultation with a general surgeon.
A hernia is simply a hole where there should not be one. The reason why a hernia presents with a bugle frequently is due to contents extruding through the hole. A common question I get from patients is, "why do a feel a bump if a hernia is a hole?" To understand this, some anatomy is required. Underneath your skin there lies some fat, and then the muscles of your abdominal wall (the rectus abdominus and the obliques). Underneath the muscles is a bag called the peritoneum which holds your internal organs as well as internal fat. The most common hernias of the groin and the belly button are because a hole is present in the peritoneum in these regions. The bump you feel is internal fat and less frequently an internal organ sliding through the hernia. If you have ever had surgery, surgeons close the holes made in the peritoneum before closing your abdomen. Occasionally these holes can reopen however creating what is known as an incisional hernia.
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Hernias usually are reducible, meaning the contents coming through the hole can be pushed back in easily. However, if the contents can't be pushed back in easily, the site can become painful and tender. Less frequently, but troublingly, the contents can get stuck, called an incarceration. And if the incarceration is bad enough, the blood supply to the contents can get cut off, called a strangulation. Both incarcerations and strangulations are medical emergencies that need immediate attention.
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If you notice a new bump on your abdomen that wasn't previously observed, seek a surgical consultation to learn more about the diagnosis and obtain guidance in managing a hernia. Not all hernias require an operation, but best to get the input of a trained professional.