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Hernia remedy. Hernia: Causes, Treatments, and Diagnosis

What are the common causes of hernia? How are hernias treated? What are the different types of hernias and how are they diagnosed?.

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Understanding Hernias: Causes and Types

A hernia is a common medical condition that occurs when an organ or tissue pushes through a weakened area or hole in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue. Hernias can occur in various parts of the body, with the most common locations being the groin (inguinal hernia), upper stomach (hiatal hernia), and belly button (umbilical hernia).

The primary causes of hernias are a combination of muscle weakness and increased pressure on the abdominal wall. Factors that can contribute to the development of a hernia include:

  • Congenital defects or weaknesses in the abdominal wall
  • Aging and the natural weakening of muscles over time
  • Strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting or straining during bowel movements
  • Obesity or significant weight gain
  • Pregnancy, which can weaken the abdominal muscles
  • Chronic conditions that increase abdominal pressure, such as chronic cough, constipation, or enlarged prostate

Diagnosing Hernias: Symptoms and Examination

Hernias are typically diagnosed through a physical examination by a healthcare professional. During the examination, the doctor will visually inspect the area and feel for any bulges or protrusions, which are the hallmark signs of a hernia. In some cases, additional tests such as imaging scans may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis or to assess the extent of the hernia.

Symptoms of a hernia can vary depending on the type and location, but may include:

  • A visible or palpable bulge or lump in the affected area
  • Pain or discomfort, especially when standing, lifting, or straining
  • Nausea, vomiting, or constipation (in the case of a strangulated hernia)
  • Acid reflux or heartburn (in the case of a hiatal hernia)

Treating Hernias: Conservative and Surgical Approaches

The treatment for a hernia often depends on the severity of the condition and the individual’s symptoms. For some hernias that are not causing discomfort or complications, a “watchful waiting” approach may be recommended, where the healthcare provider monitors the hernia for any changes or worsening of symptoms.

In cases where the hernia is causing significant discomfort, pain, or is at risk of complications, surgical repair may be recommended. The two main surgical approaches for hernia repair are:

  1. Open surgery: This involves making an incision in the affected area and physically repairing the weakened muscle or tissue.
  2. Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery: This minimally invasive procedure uses small incisions and a camera to guide the repair of the hernia.

The choice of surgical approach often depends on the type and location of the hernia, as well as the surgeon’s experience and the patient’s overall health status.

Hernia Risk Factors: Understanding the Differences

Different types of hernias have their own unique risk factors. For example:

Incisional Hernia Risk Factors

Incisional hernias are a result of a previous abdominal surgery, and the risk factors include strenuous activities, weight gain, and pregnancy in the months following the initial surgery.

Inguinal Hernia Risk Factors

Inguinal hernias are more common in men and are associated with factors such as aging, a family history of inguinal hernias, smoking, chronic constipation, and premature birth.

Umbilical Hernia Risk Factors

Umbilical hernias are more common in babies with low birth weight and premature infants, as well as in adults who are overweight or have had multiple pregnancies.

Hiatal Hernia Risk Factors

Hiatal hernias are more common in individuals over the age of 50 and those who are obese, as the increased abdominal pressure can cause the upper stomach to protrude through the diaphragm.

Preventing and Managing Hernias

While some risk factors for hernias, such as age and family history, cannot be controlled, there are several steps individuals can take to help reduce the risk of developing a hernia or prevent the worsening of an existing one:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding significant weight fluctuations
  • Incorporating regular exercise and strength-building activities to support the abdominal muscles
  • Treating and managing chronic conditions that can increase abdominal pressure, such as constipation or chronic cough
  • Seeking prompt medical attention for any noticeable bulges or protrusions in the abdomen or groin area

By understanding the causes, risk factors, and treatment options for hernias, individuals can take proactive steps to prevent and manage this common medical condition.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If an individual notices a new bulge or swelling in the abdomen, groin, or other areas, it is important to seek medical attention, even if the hernia is not causing any immediate symptoms. Some hernias, such as femoral hernias, have a higher risk of complications and may require prompt surgical intervention.

Individuals should also seek immediate medical care if they experience the following symptoms, as they may indicate a serious complication of a hernia:

  • Severe pain or discomfort in the affected area
  • Nausea, vomiting, or constipation
  • Inability to push the hernia back into the abdomen
  • Redness, swelling, or a change in the appearance of the hernia

Early diagnosis and treatment of hernias can help prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Hernias are a common medical condition that can occur in various parts of the body. Understanding the causes, risk factors, and treatment options for different types of hernias is crucial for individuals to take proactive steps to prevent and manage this condition. By seeking timely medical attention and following the recommended treatment plan, individuals can effectively address hernias and maintain their overall health and well-being.

Hernia: Causes, treatments, and diagnosis

Hernia is a common problem. It causes a localized bulge in the abdomen or groin.

It can often be harmless and pain-free, but at times it can bring discomfort and pain.

In this article, we investigate what a hernia is, the common causes of hernia, and how they are treated.

Fast facts on hernias

  • Hernias often produce no troublesome symptoms, but abdominal complaints may signal a serious problem.
  • They are usually straightforward to diagnose, simply by feeling and looking for the bulge.
  • Treatment is a choice between watchful waiting and corrective surgery, either via an open or keyhole operation.
  • Inguinal hernia surgery is more common in childhood and old age, while the likelihood of femoral hernia surgery increases throughout life.

Was this helpful?

A hernia occurs when there is a weakness or hole in the peritoneum, the muscular wall that usually keeps abdominal organs in place.

This defect in the peritoneum allows organs and tissues to push through, or herniate, producing a bulge.

The lump may disappear when the person lies down, and sometimes it can be pushed back into. Coughing may make it reappear.

Hernias can commonly be found in the following areas:

Groin: a femoral hernia creates a bulge just below the groin. This is more common in women. An inguinal hernia is more common in men. It is a bulge in the groin that may reach the scrotum.

Upper part of the stomach: a hiatal or hiatus hernia is caused by the upper part of the stomach pushing out of the abdominal cavity and into the chest cavity through an opening in the diaphragm.

Belly button: a bulge in this region is produced by an umbilical or periumbilical hernia.

Surgical scar: past abdominal surgery can lead to an incisional hernia through the scar.

With the exception of an incisional hernia (a complication of abdominal surgery), in most cases, there is no obvious reason for a hernia to occur. The risk of hernia increases with age and occurs more commonly in men than in women.

A hernia can be congenital (present at birth) or develop in children who have a weakness in their abdominal wall.

Activities and medical problems that increase pressure on the abdominal wall can lead to a hernia. These include:

  • straining on the toilet (due to long-term constipation, for example)
  • persistent cough
  • cystic fibrosis
  • enlarged prostate
  • straining to urinate
  • being overweight or obese
  • abdominal fluid
  • lifting heavy items
  • peritoneal dialysis
  • poor nutrition
  • smoking
  • physical exertion
  • undescended testicles

Risk factors for hernia

The risk factors can be broken down by hernia type:

Incisional hernia risk factors

Because an incisional hernia is the result of surgery, the clearest risk factor is a recent surgical procedure on the abdomen.

People are most susceptible 3-6 months after the procedure, especially if:

  • they are involved in strenuous activity
  • have gained additional weight
  • become pregnant

These factors all put extra stress on tissue as it heals.

Inguinal hernia risk factors

Those with a higher risk of inguinal hernia incude:

Share on PinterestSmoking tobacco increases the risk of inguinal hernias.

  • older adults
  • people with close relatives who have had inguinal hernias
  • people who have had inguinal hernias previously
  • males
  • smokers, as chemicals in tobacco weaken tissues, making a hernia more likely
  • people with chronic constipation
  • premature birth and low birth weight
  • pregnancy

Umbilical hernia risk factors

Umbilical hernias are most common in babies with a low birth weight and premature babies.

In adults, the risk factors include:

  • being overweight
  • having multiple pregnancies
  • being female

Hiatal hernia risk factors

The risk of hiatal hernia is higher in people who:

  • are aged 50 years or over
  • have obesity

In many cases, a hernia is no more than a painless swelling that presents no problems and needs no immediate medical attention.

A hernia may, however, be the cause of discomfort and pain, with symptoms often becoming worse when standing, straining, or lifting heavy items. Most people who notice increasing swelling or soreness eventually see a doctor.

In some cases, a hernia needs immediate surgery, for instance, when part of the gut becomes obstructed or strangulated by an inguinal hernia.

Immediate medical attention should be sought if an inguinal hernia produces acute abdominal complaints such as:

  • pain
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • the bulge cannot be pushed back into the abdomen

The swelling, in these cases, is typically firm and tender and cannot be pushed back up into the abdomen.

A hiatal hernia can produce symptoms of acid reflux, such as heartburn, which is caused by stomach acid getting into the esophagus.

For a hernia without symptoms, the usual course of action is to watch and wait, but this can be risky for certain types of hernia, such as femoral hernias.

Within 2 years of a femoral hernia being diagnosed, 40 percent result in bowel strangulation.

It remains unclear whether non-emergency surgery is worthwhile for hernia repair in cases of an inguinal hernia without symptoms that can be pushed back into the abdomen.

The American College of Surgeons and some other medical bodies consider elective surgery unnecessary in such cases, recommending instead a course of watchful waiting.

Others recommend surgical repair to remove the risk of later strangulation of the gut, a complication where blood supply is cut off to an area of tissue, which requires an emergency procedure.

These health authorities consider an earlier, routine operation preferable to a more risky emergency procedure.

Types of surgery

Share on PinterestBelly button following hernia surgery.

Although surgical options depend on individual circumstances, including the location of the hernia, there are two main types of surgical intervention for hernia:

  • open surgery
  • laparoscopic operation (keyhole surgery)

Open surgical repair closes the hernia using sutures, mesh, or both, and the surgical wound in the skin is closed with sutures, staples, or surgical glue.

Laparoscopic repair is used for repeat operations to avoid previous scars, and while usually more expensive, is less likely to cause complications such as infection.

Surgical repair of a hernia guided by a laparoscope allows for the use of smaller incisions, enabling a faster recovery from the operation.

The hernia is repaired in the same way as in open surgery, but it is guided by a small camera and a light introduced through a tube. Surgical instruments are inserted through another small incision. The abdomen is inflated with gas to help the surgeon see better and give them space to work; the whole operation is performed under general anesthetic.

Hernia in children

Inguinal hernia is one of the most common surgical conditions in infants and children.

A 2014 systematic review of 20 years of data on conventional open hernia repair (herniorrhaphy) and laparoscopic hernia repair (herniorrhaphy) in infants and children found that laparoscopic surgery is faster than open surgery for bilateral hernias, but that there is no significant difference in operating time for unilateral inguinal hernia repair.

The rate of recurrence is similar for both types of procedure, but complications, such as wound infection, are more likely with open surgery, especially in infants.

Read the article in Spanish

Hernia: Causes, treatments, and diagnosis

Hernia is a common problem. It causes a localized bulge in the abdomen or groin.

It can often be harmless and pain-free, but at times it can bring discomfort and pain.

In this article, we investigate what a hernia is, the common causes of hernia, and how they are treated.

Fast facts on hernias

  • Hernias often produce no troublesome symptoms, but abdominal complaints may signal a serious problem.
  • They are usually straightforward to diagnose, simply by feeling and looking for the bulge.
  • Treatment is a choice between watchful waiting and corrective surgery, either via an open or keyhole operation.
  • Inguinal hernia surgery is more common in childhood and old age, while the likelihood of femoral hernia surgery increases throughout life.

Was this helpful?

A hernia occurs when there is a weakness or hole in the peritoneum, the muscular wall that usually keeps abdominal organs in place.

This defect in the peritoneum allows organs and tissues to push through, or herniate, producing a bulge.

The lump may disappear when the person lies down, and sometimes it can be pushed back into. Coughing may make it reappear.

Hernias can commonly be found in the following areas:

Groin: a femoral hernia creates a bulge just below the groin. This is more common in women. An inguinal hernia is more common in men. It is a bulge in the groin that may reach the scrotum.

Upper part of the stomach: a hiatal or hiatus hernia is caused by the upper part of the stomach pushing out of the abdominal cavity and into the chest cavity through an opening in the diaphragm.

Belly button: a bulge in this region is produced by an umbilical or periumbilical hernia.

Surgical scar: past abdominal surgery can lead to an incisional hernia through the scar.

With the exception of an incisional hernia (a complication of abdominal surgery), in most cases, there is no obvious reason for a hernia to occur. The risk of hernia increases with age and occurs more commonly in men than in women.

A hernia can be congenital (present at birth) or develop in children who have a weakness in their abdominal wall.

Activities and medical problems that increase pressure on the abdominal wall can lead to a hernia. These include:

  • straining on the toilet (due to long-term constipation, for example)
  • persistent cough
  • cystic fibrosis
  • enlarged prostate
  • straining to urinate
  • being overweight or obese
  • abdominal fluid
  • lifting heavy items
  • peritoneal dialysis
  • poor nutrition
  • smoking
  • physical exertion
  • undescended testicles

Risk factors for hernia

The risk factors can be broken down by hernia type:

Incisional hernia risk factors

Because an incisional hernia is the result of surgery, the clearest risk factor is a recent surgical procedure on the abdomen.

People are most susceptible 3-6 months after the procedure, especially if:

  • they are involved in strenuous activity
  • have gained additional weight
  • become pregnant

These factors all put extra stress on tissue as it heals.

Inguinal hernia risk factors

Those with a higher risk of inguinal hernia incude:

Share on PinterestSmoking tobacco increases the risk of inguinal hernias.

  • older adults
  • people with close relatives who have had inguinal hernias
  • people who have had inguinal hernias previously
  • males
  • smokers, as chemicals in tobacco weaken tissues, making a hernia more likely
  • people with chronic constipation
  • premature birth and low birth weight
  • pregnancy

Umbilical hernia risk factors

Umbilical hernias are most common in babies with a low birth weight and premature babies.

In adults, the risk factors include:

  • being overweight
  • having multiple pregnancies
  • being female

Hiatal hernia risk factors

The risk of hiatal hernia is higher in people who:

  • are aged 50 years or over
  • have obesity

In many cases, a hernia is no more than a painless swelling that presents no problems and needs no immediate medical attention.

A hernia may, however, be the cause of discomfort and pain, with symptoms often becoming worse when standing, straining, or lifting heavy items. Most people who notice increasing swelling or soreness eventually see a doctor.

In some cases, a hernia needs immediate surgery, for instance, when part of the gut becomes obstructed or strangulated by an inguinal hernia.

Immediate medical attention should be sought if an inguinal hernia produces acute abdominal complaints such as:

  • pain
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • the bulge cannot be pushed back into the abdomen

The swelling, in these cases, is typically firm and tender and cannot be pushed back up into the abdomen.

A hiatal hernia can produce symptoms of acid reflux, such as heartburn, which is caused by stomach acid getting into the esophagus.

For a hernia without symptoms, the usual course of action is to watch and wait, but this can be risky for certain types of hernia, such as femoral hernias.

Within 2 years of a femoral hernia being diagnosed, 40 percent result in bowel strangulation.

It remains unclear whether non-emergency surgery is worthwhile for hernia repair in cases of an inguinal hernia without symptoms that can be pushed back into the abdomen.

The American College of Surgeons and some other medical bodies consider elective surgery unnecessary in such cases, recommending instead a course of watchful waiting.

Others recommend surgical repair to remove the risk of later strangulation of the gut, a complication where blood supply is cut off to an area of tissue, which requires an emergency procedure.

These health authorities consider an earlier, routine operation preferable to a more risky emergency procedure.

Types of surgery

Share on PinterestBelly button following hernia surgery.

Although surgical options depend on individual circumstances, including the location of the hernia, there are two main types of surgical intervention for hernia:

  • open surgery
  • laparoscopic operation (keyhole surgery)

Open surgical repair closes the hernia using sutures, mesh, or both, and the surgical wound in the skin is closed with sutures, staples, or surgical glue.

Laparoscopic repair is used for repeat operations to avoid previous scars, and while usually more expensive, is less likely to cause complications such as infection.

Surgical repair of a hernia guided by a laparoscope allows for the use of smaller incisions, enabling a faster recovery from the operation.

The hernia is repaired in the same way as in open surgery, but it is guided by a small camera and a light introduced through a tube. Surgical instruments are inserted through another small incision. The abdomen is inflated with gas to help the surgeon see better and give them space to work; the whole operation is performed under general anesthetic.

Hernia in children

Inguinal hernia is one of the most common surgical conditions in infants and children.

A 2014 systematic review of 20 years of data on conventional open hernia repair (herniorrhaphy) and laparoscopic hernia repair (herniorrhaphy) in infants and children found that laparoscopic surgery is faster than open surgery for bilateral hernias, but that there is no significant difference in operating time for unilateral inguinal hernia repair.

The rate of recurrence is similar for both types of procedure, but complications, such as wound infection, are more likely with open surgery, especially in infants.

Read the article in Spanish

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