ONP Hospitals

Hernia

A hernia is a common condition that occurs when the internal organ pushes through a weak spot in your muscle or tissues. Normally varieties of hernias can occur in a person’s body, such as inguinal, umbilical, femoral, and Hiatal. These are some chronic conditions that require a fast treatment or can turn into something major. 

In today’s world, according to the reports, femoral or inguinal hernias are highly common in individuals with a rate of 75-80%. Apart from these, 3-10% is umbilical hernias affecting almost 10-20% of newborns with 5 years f age, the incision or the ventral are commonly found with a 2% and other types are available with a rate of 1-3%.

Everything You Need To Know About Hernia

What Is It?

A hernia is a common condition that creates bulging in the body with the help of protrudes of the organs in the walls in the muscles or tissues. Most of the hernia takes place within the abdominal part of the body and can also be witnessed near the chest and hips. Normally it remains harmless and pain-free, but sometimes it gives intolerable pain and discomfort to the body. Normal hernias can be free from any danger by those that are in the abdominal part, are highly dangerous, and can cause serious problems in the body. 

Apart from some of the common types of hernia includes the following:

  • Femoral hernia- The fatty tissues or other parts of the intestine enlarge and push the inner thigh muscles, then the femoral hernia can be obtained. These are not so common among individuals.
  • Inguinal Hernia- Then comes the inguinal hernia. In men, normally, the inguinal channel is the broadway of the blood vessels that leads to the testicles, including the spermatic cord. However, in women, this canal contains the round ligaments that further hold the womb in the right place.

Furthermore, in this condition, the fatty tissues or other parts of the intestine push inside the groin and take place in the top position of the inner thigh. Also, these are common conditions and can affect men in a vast amount compared to women. 

  • Hiatal Hernia- Some stomach parts are pushed up into the chest cavity along with the opening of the diaphragm, a thin line separating the chest from the abdomen.
  • Umbilical Hernia is a condition when the fatty tissues in the intestine push the abdomen near the naval area.

Hernia Causes

In most cases, the hernia can occur in a body without any obvious reasons except the incision Hernia, which occurs after the complications formed by the abdominal surgery. However, the risk of hernia can also increase with age and can occur more commonly among men if compared to women. 

Also, some hernias are already present that can be seen from the time of birth, also called congenitally, or can also be visualized among individuals who contain some problems and weakness in the abdominal walls. 

 Apart from these, some of the common causes of the hernia include the following:

  • Persistent cough
  • Straining on the toilet (due to constipation)
  • Undescended testicles
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Physical Exertion
  • Enlarged Prostate
  • Smoking
  • Straining to urinate
  • Poor nutrition
  • Overweight or obese
  • Peritoneal Dialysis
  • Abdominal Fluid
  • Lifting heavy objects

Hernia Symptoms

The presence of a hernia in a person’s abdomen or the groin can further produce a noticeable lump or bulge in specific areas. These bulged areas can further be pushed back in or can be removed when a person lies down. Once the bulge is pushed in, it can only be recovered if a person performs crying, laughing, bowel movement, coughing, or any other kind of physical activity. 

 Some other symptoms of Hernia might include the following;

  • A sense of feeling full, including the signs of bowel obstruction
  • Swelling or bulging in the groin or scrotum
  • A mild sensation of aching
  • The Increased amount of pain in the bulged site
  • Growth in the lump or the bulge with due course of time
  • Occurring of pain while lifting any object

Other symptoms of Hiatal hernias:

  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Heartburn
  • Indigestion
  • Chest pain
  • Frequent regurgitation

Hernia Treatments in details

The usual course of action of watching and waiting is performed to treat the hernia without any symptoms, but this is not good for all varieties of hernias, such as the femoral hernia. 

According to reports, it is found that the femoral hernia that is being diagnosed within 2 years resulted in 40% of bowel strangulation. It further remains unclear whether non-emergency surgery is worth it for hernia or not. 

Furthermore, the American College of Surgeons, including some other medical researchers, says that elective surgery is not required and is required to possess a course of watchful waiting. 

However, surgery is demanded if an umbilical hernia is witnessed in the child with a larger size and not healed by the age of 4-5. Normally to treat these conditions, some surgeries that are obtained include the following:

  • Laparoscopic Surgery

These are similar to open surgery, but instead of a cut on the outside of the abdomen or groin, tiny incisions are made to continue further proceedings with the help of other surgical tools.

  • Open Surgery

This is an open-cut surgery that is performed in the area of the hernia. In this process, the protruding tissues are set back, and the weakened muscles are well stitched. Also, these are times when a type of mesh will be inserted in the area to give additional support.

  • Robotic Hernia Repair

This is like laparoscopic surgery that utilizes the laparoscope with the use of small incisions. This is, however, performed to treat the small hernias or the weak ones. Also, this is used to treat the abdominal wall.

Conclusion

Thus it is a common condition and can demand care and additional look after. If you do not treat this thing, serious conditions can further occur, including obstruction and strangulation.

Consult General Surgeon and Gastrointestinal Surgeon for hernia problem. As you evaluate hernia surgeons, ask if they have experience performing both types of surgery.