How to Know You Have a Hernia

Overview

Common types of hernia

What is a hernia?

A hernia occurs when an internal organ or other body part protrudes through the wall of muscle or tissue that normally contains it. Near hernias occur within the abdominal cavity, between the breast and the hips.

The near mutual forms of hernia are:

• Inguinal hernia: In men, the inguinal canal is a passageway for the spermatic cord and claret vessels leading to the testicles. In women, the inguinal canal contains the circular ligament that gives support for the womb. In an inguinal hernia, fatty tissue or a role of the intestine pokes into the groin at the elevation of the inner thigh. This is the most common type of hernia, and affects men more oft than women.
• Femoral hernia: Fatty tissue or office of the intestine protrudes into the groin at the pinnacle of the inner thigh. Femoral hernias are much less common than inguinal hernias and mainly impact older women.
• Umbilical hernia: Fatty tissue or part of the intestine pushes through the abdomen near the omphalos (navel).
• Hiatal (hiatus) hernia: Function of the tummy pushes upwardly into the chest crenel through an opening in the diaphragm (the horizontal sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen).

Other types of hernias include:

• Incisional hernia: Tissue protrudes through the site of an abdominal scar from a remote abdominal or pelvic operation.
• Epigastric hernia: Fatty tissue protrudes through the abdominal area between the navel and lower function of the sternum (breastbone).
• Spigelian hernia: The intestine pushes through the abdomen at the side of the intestinal muscle, below the navel.
• Diaphragmatic hernia: Organs in the abdomen move into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm.

How mutual are hernias?

Of all hernias that occur:

• 75 to 80% are inguinal or femoral.
• 2% are incisional or ventral.
• 3 to 10% are umbilical, affecting ten to twenty% of newborns; nearly shut by themselves by v years of age.
• 1 to 3% are other types.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes a hernia?

Inguinal and femoral hernias are due to weakened muscles that may have been present since nativity, or are associated with aging and repeated strains on the intestinal and groin areas. Such strain may come from physical exertion, obesity, pregnancy, frequent coughing, or straining on the toilet due to constipation.

Adults may get an umbilical hernia by straining the intestinal area, being overweight, having a long-lasting heavy cough or after giving nascency.

The cause of hiatal hernias is not fully understood, but a weakening of the diaphragm with age or force per unit area on the abdomen could play a part.

What are the symptoms of a hernia?

A hernia in the belly or groin can produce a noticeable lump or bulge that tin be pushed back in, or that tin can disappear when lying downwards. Laughing, crying, coughing, straining during a bowel movement, or physical activity may make the lump reappear later on it has been pushed in. More symptoms of a hernia include:

• Swelling or burl in the groin or scrotum (the pouch that contains the testicles).
• Increased pain at the site of the bulge.
• Hurting while lifting.
• Increase in the bulge size over fourth dimension.
• A dull aching sensation.
• A sense of feeling full or signs of bowel obstacle.

In the example of hiatal hernias in that location are no bulges on the outside of the body. Instead, symptoms may include heartburn, indigestion, difficulty swallowing, frequent regurgitation (bringing nutrient support) and chest pain.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is a hernia diagnosed?

It is usually possible to see or feel a bulge in the expanse where a hernia has occurred by physical exam. Equally part of a male's typical physical exam for inguinal hernias, the doctor feels the area around the testicles and groin while the patient is asked to cough. In some cases, soft-tissue imaging like a CT scan will accurately diagnose the condition.

Management and Treatment

What kind of doctor do you meet for a hernia?

When you have a hernia, treatment will start with your primary intendance provider. If you demand surgery to repair the hernia, you'll exist referred to a general surgeon. In fact, ventral hernia repairs are one of the most common operations U.S. general surgeons perform.

If you recall you lot have a hernia, don't wait to seek assist. A neglected hernia can abound larger and more painful — this tin can pb to complications and possibly emergency surgery. Early on repair is more successful, less risky and offers a better recovery and issue.

How is a hernia treated?

Hernias usually exercise not get better on their own, and surgery may be the only style to repair them. However, your doctor will recommend the best therapy to address your hernia, and may refer you to a surgeon. If the surgeon thinks it is necessary to repair your hernia, then the surgeon will tailor the method of repair that best meets your needs.

In the case of an umbilical hernia in a child, surgery may exist recommended if the hernia is big or if information technology has not healed by the age of 4 to 5 years old. By this historic period, a kid tin usually avoid surgical complications.

If an adult has an umbilical hernia, surgery is usually recommended considering the condition will not probable ameliorate on its own and the take chances of complications is higher.

One of iii types of hernia surgery tin can exist performed:

• Open surgery, in which a cutting is made into the body at the location of the hernia. The protruding tissue is set back in place and the weakened muscle wall is stitched back together. Sometimes a type of mesh is implanted in the area to provide extra support.
• Laparoscopic surgery involves the same blazon of repairs. Withal, instead of a cutting to the outside of the abdomen or groin, tiny incisions are fabricated to allow for the insertion of surgical tools to consummate the procedure.
• Robotic hernia repair , like laparoscopic surgery, uses a laparoscope, and is performed with small incisions. With robotic surgery, the surgeon is seated at a console in the operating room, and handles the surgical instruments from the panel. While robotic surgery can be used for some smaller hernias, or weak areas, information technology can now too be used to reconstruct the intestinal wall.

Each type of surgery has its advantages and disadvantages. The best arroyo will be decided by the patient'southward surgeon.

What can happen if a hernia is not treated?

Other than umbilical hernias in babies, hernias will not disappear on their own. Over time, a hernia can grow larger and more than painful or can develop complications.

Complications of an untreated inguinal or femoral hernia may include:

• Obstruction (incarceration): Part of the intestine becomes stuck in the inguinal canal, causing nausea, vomiting, tum hurting, and a painful lump in the groin.
• Strangulation: Part of the intestine is trapped in a mode that cuts off its blood supply. In such cases, emergency surgery (within hours of occurring) is necessary to prevent tissue death.

Prevention

How can a hernia be prevented?

• Maintain ideal body weight by eating a good for you diet and exercising.
• Swallow enough fruits, vegetables and whole grains to avoid constipation.
• Utilize right form when lifting weights or heavy objects. Avert lifting anything that is across your ability.
• Encounter a doctor when you are ill with persistent coughs or sneezing.
• Don't smoke, as the habit can lead to coughing that triggers a hernia.

Outlook / Prognosis

What can exist expected post-obit surgical treatment for a hernia?

After surgery, you volition be given instructions. These include what diet to follow, how to care for the incision site, and how to take care to avoid physical strain. Hernias may recur regardless of the repair operations. This is sometimes caused by inherent tissue weakness or protracted healing. Smoking and obesity are likewise major risk factors for hernia recurrence.

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Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15757-hernia

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