What is a Hernia: Its Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

What is a Hernia?

Hernias occur when an organ or body part bulges through an opening into another area where it shouldn't be. Hernias can come in many varieties, but the most common is to have part of the intestine protruding through a weak spot in the abdomen. The result is a bulge that occurs under the skin of the abdomen, usually near the navel or the groin.

A hernia may occur anywhere on the body. A hernia can develop at birth or later in life. The hernia may enlarge due to increased abdominal pressure, such as when straining, persistent coughing, being obese, or during pregnancy.

What are the Different Types of Hernia/ Different Types of Hernia:

Inguinal Hernia: An inguinal hernia is a weakness in the inguinal canal where a portion of the intestine protrudes. Natural passageway in the abdomen, the inguinal canal lies in the groin. Among the blood vessels of the inguinal canal are those that lead to the testicles as well as the ducts carrying sperm. 75% of all hernias occur in the inguinal area, and males are five times more likely to develop them than females. Hernias can develop in both children and adults.

Hiatus Hernia: Rather than affecting the intestine, it affects the stomach. Diaphragmatic openings allow the stomach to pass into the chest. A leading cause of heartburn is acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Femoral Hernia: It is a hernia through the veins and arteries between the thigh and abdomen (the femoral artery and vein). The upper thigh just under the groin is affected by this type of hernia and is more common in women than in men.

Incisional Hernia: In an area where there has been prior surgery, the stomach bulges through a weakness in the abdominal wall. Hernias occur when the surrounding muscles pull apart, resulting in the healing of the skin. There are both small and large hernias.

Epigastric Hernia: Upper abdominal muscle weakness causes a small bulge of fat between the navel and breastbone. These hernias usually affect people between the ages of 20 and 50. Many times, these hernias go undetected because they're so small.

Umbilical Hernia: A bulge of abdominal fat or intestines can be seen underneath the navel. It is possible for an area of weakness in the abdominal wall to be as small as half an inch or as large as 2-3 inches. Newborns have an increased risk of having umbilical hernias, which may gradually disappear with time. In addition to those who are overweight, women who have been pregnant more than once may also experience them.

Ventral Hernia: Epigastric, umbilical, and incisional hernias all fall under this general term.

What Causes Hernia:

A hernia generally causes a bulge under the skin. According to the type of hernia, this bulge might be in a different location. There can be tingling or pulling sensations with some hernias, but most do not cause pain. With coughing or straining, it is usually easier to see hernias. They become more obvious when you stand, and they become less visible when you lie down.

• Muscle strain and weakness are responsible for the hernia. Various factors can influence the disease's progression.
• Hernias can result from a birth defect in which the abdominal wall is not completely closed
• An incision made after surgery or injury can allow the intestine to protrude.

This can be caused by several factors:

• Growing older
• Hernias are more common in men than women
• Because of family history
• Pregnancy
• Exercising heavily – Lifting heavy weights will cause the abdomen to be under pressure
• Hernias may result from too much strain during physical activities
• Chronic coughing or sneezing

Diagnosing a Hernia or How to Diagnose a Hernia::

An obvious bulge is usually the first sign of a hernia. In some cases, however, a small hernia does turn up during routine examinations. A physical examination is used to diagnose the condition. In some cases, you might be asked to strain or cough, which can help you feel or see the bulge more clearly.

In rare cases, a hernia may appear to have developed, but a doctor may not find it during an examination. An abdominal CT scan or ultrasound may be recommended by your doctor in these situations.

It's common for hernias to stay the same size or slowly grow over time. In contrast, umbilical hernias are a special case. A majority of small umbilical hernias disappear before a baby reaches its first birthday. Some umbilical hernias may disappear by the time a child reaches the age of 3 or 4.

Prevention of Hernia or How Can Hernia be Prevented:

If you are overweight, losing weight can help. Consult your doctor if you are regularly straining to move your bowels. You might be prescribed stool-softening medications or advised to eat a high-fiber diet.

Hernia Treatment or What Treatment is There for Hernia:

Even though not all hernias require surgical treatment, hernias that cause symptoms or that grow larger should be corrected by a surgeon. A hernia's type, size, and location determine the type, size, and location of the operation. There are several surgical options:

• Closing the defect with stitches
• Repairing the defect with mesh plugs and patches
• By undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Through a small incision in the skin, the surgeon uses a telescope to perform the surgery.
• When you decide to have a hernia repaired, your surgeon will explain which technique is most effective for you.
• When a hernia becomes incarcerated or strangled, medical attention is needed immediately. Hernias can be massaged back through a hole in the body by your doctor. It may be necessary to perform emergency surgery if this cannot be done. The majority of hernia repair procedures can be performed outpatient as non-emergencies.
• A hernia in the umbilical cord of an infant is usually not surgically treated until after the third or fourth birthday of the child, or if it becomes larger, begins to cause symptoms, or strangulates. In cases of umbilical hernias, surgery will be necessary if the opening through which the hernia passes measures more than 2 centimeters.
• A hiatus hernia that doesn't cause acid reflux symptoms shouldn't be treated. If acid reflux symptoms do occur, the medicine can help treat them. When a hiatus hernia is large and causing continual symptoms or when it becomes stuck inside the chest, surgeons may suggest surgery.