Question

what is a hernia?

Answer 1

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. Most hernias occur within the abdominal cavity, between the chest and the hips.

Inguinal hernia: In men, the inguinal canal is a passageway for the spermatic cord and blood vessels leading to the testicles. In women, the inguinal canal contains the round ligament that gives support for the womb.

• than women.
• Femoral hernia: Fatty tissue or part of the intestine protrudes into the groin at the top of the inner thigh. Femoral hernias are much less common than inguinal hernias and mainly affect older women.
• Umbilical hernia: Fatty tissue or part of the intestine pushes through the abdomen near the navel (belly button).
• Hiatal (hiatus) hernia: Part of the stomach pushes up into the chest cavity through an opening in the diaphragm (the horizontal sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen).

• 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 part of the sternum (breastbone).
• Spigelian hernia: The intestine pushes through the abdomen at the side of the abdominal muscle, below the navel.
• Diaphragmatic hernia: Organs in the abdomen move into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm.

How common 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 10 to 20% of newborns; most close by themselves by 5 years of age.
• 1 to 3% are other types.

What causes a hernia?

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

What are the symptoms of a hernia?

A hernia in the abdomen or groin can produce a noticeable lump or bulge that can be pushed back in, or that can disappear when lying down. Laughing, crying, coughing, straining during a bowel movement

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

How is a hernia treated?

Hernias usually do not get better on their own, and surgery may be the only way 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 be recommended if the hernia is large or if it has not healed by the age of 4 to 5 years old. By this age, a child can usually avoid surgical complications.

• Open surgery, in which a cut 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 type of repairs. However, instead of a cut to the outside of the abdomen or groin, tiny incisions are made to allow for the insertion of surgical tools to complete the procedure.