K43.90: Epigastric hernia without obstruction or gangrene

You have a hernia in your abdominal wall.

The abdominal wall is the front part of the abdomen. The abdominal wall is made up of various layers. From the outermost to the innermost, the layers are: the skin, the fatty tissue, the muscles and various connective tissue layers. The abdominal wall is very solid. The organs thus remain in the abdomen even at high pressure. The abdominal wall has weak points in some places. At these weaker points, the abdominal wall is thinner, or there are natural gaps in the abdominal wall.

In your case, the weak point at a site in the abdominal wall has intensified. This is also called a hernia. As a result, the intestines may be squeezed through the muscles and connective tissue. In the process, the intestines always remain covered by fatty tissue and the skin. A protrusion on the abdominal wall may then be formed. The protrusion is particularly visible when pressure in the abdomen is high. That may occur for instance during coughing or squeezing. Pressure in the abdomen also increases with heavy lifting.

You may have abdominal discomfort due to the hernia. There may be burning pain. However, it is also sometimes possible to have no symptoms at all.

If the weak point is especially small, the intestines may jam in the gap. The blood supply may then be cut off. In that case, the intestines are no longer properly supplied with blood and can thus be damaged. If this condition lasts too long, the intestines may necrotize. But the hernia will also often cause no symptoms.