Single swollen ab.... hernia?

[Skitchipoo]

There is a strange soft protrusion coming out of the middle of one of my left abs. It looks as if I sprained the single ab muscle right there and it's swollen. Fortunately, there is no pain except sometimes when I breathe in too hard (and my torso expands).... emphasis on sometimes. It also doesn't hurt when I press on it. It's been 3 days and the swelling still hasn't gone down at all (except temporarily when I wake up).

My question is: does this sound like a hernia? Or just an ab sprain or something? I've looked around the net and it sort of looks like a hernia except for the fact that there is no real pain. I did do some hard ab workouts the day before I noticed the swelling, so I figured that it was a sprain and it would go away within a day or two. I just want to get some ideas before I think about making the effort to see a doctor.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I apologize if this isn't the right forum for my specific symptom, I just couldn't find any other one that sounded appropriate.

Thanks!

[Skitchipoo]

Thank you so much for your answer, kindd! You gave me exactly the information that I was looking for (and then some).

I've been taking small doses of ibuprofen (600mg) the past couple of days and haven't noticed any changes. I'll up my ibuprofen dosage tonight and apply a warm compress. If there are no changes, I will schedule an appointment with a doctor tomorrow morning.

I will post back with any new information for future reference for the community. Thanks again!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

You are right in saying that it can be a muscle strain but the possibility of hernia also cannot be ignored.Instead from your symptoms the chances of hernia are more.A strain neyer presents with a localized,confined swelling.Also it is associated with considerable pain.

You can apply warm compresses on the swelling and take some antiinflammatories like ibuprofen or diclofenac.If it is strain then it will subside but if it is hernia ,then it won’t.Then a confirmation has to be done by clinical examination.A consultation of a surgeon will be the best in that case.Other possibility is of a lipoma. A lipoma is a benign tumor composed of fatty tissue. Lipomas are soft to the touch, usually moveable, and are generally painless.a general surgeon can differentiate between hernia or lipoma just be examination.

I hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.