What is a hernia?
Hernia occurs when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it certain place. For example, the intestines may break through a weakened area in the abdominal wall.
Hernias are commonly occurs in the abdomen, but they can also appear in the upper thigh, belly button, and groin areas. Most hernias are not immediately life threatening, but they don’t go away on their own and can require surgery to prevent potentially dangerous complications.
Types Of Hernia:
Inguinal Hernia:
Inguinal hernias will occurs when the intestines are pushed through a weak spot or tear in the lower abdominal wall, often in the inguinal canal.
The inguinal canal is found in your groin. In men, it is the area where the spermatic cord passes from the abdomen to the scrotum. This cord holds up the testicles. In women, inguinal canal it contains a ligament helps to hold the uterus in the place.
Hiatal Hernia :
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach protrudes up through the diaphragm into your chest. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that helps you breathe by contracting and drawing air into the lungs. It separates the organs in your abdomen from those in your chest.
Umbilical hernia:
In an umbilical hernia, part of the small intestine passes through the abdominal wall near the navel. Common in newborns, it also commonly afflicts obese women or those who have had many children.
Incisional Hernia:
Incisional hernias can occur after you’ve had abdominal surgery. Your intestines may push through the incision scar or the surrounding, weakened tissue.
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Causes a hernia:
Combination of muscle weakness and the strain gets cause of hernia. Depending on this cause, a hernia can be developed quickly or over a long period of time.
Common causes of muscle weakness include:
- Failure of the abdominal wall to close properly in the womb, which is a congenital defect
- Age
- Chronic coughing
- Damage from injury or surgery
Symptoms of a Hernia:
Some of the common symptoms of a hernia is a bulge or lump in the affected area. In the case of an inguinal hernia, you may notice a lump on either side of your pubic bone where your groin and thigh meet. Also need to feel the hernia by the touch when you are standing up.
Other common symptoms of an inguinal hernia include:
- Pain or discomfort in the affected area (usually the lower abdomen), especially when bending over, coughing, or lifting
- Weakness, pressure, or a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen
- A burning, gurgling, or aching sensation at the site of the bulge
Other symptoms of a hiatal hernia include:
- Acid reflux, which is when stomach acid moves backward into the esophagus causing a burning sensation
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing
Diagnosis of Hernia :
Inguinal or incisional hernias are usually diagnosed through a physical examination. Doctor may feel for a bulge in the abdomen or groin that it gets larger when you stand, cough or strain.
If you have a hiatal hernia, your doctor may diagnose it with a barium X-ray or endoscopy. These tests allow your doctor to see the internal location of your stomach:
A barium X-ray is a series of X-ray pictures of your digestive tract. The pictures are recorded after you’ve finished drinking a liquid solution containing barium, which shows up well on the X-ray images.
An endoscopy involves threading a small camera attached to a tube down your throat and into your esophagus and stomach.
Preventing a Hernia:
Prevention tips include:
- Not smoking
- Seeing your doctor when you’re sick to avoid developing a persistent cough
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Avoiding straining during bowel movements or urination
- lifting objects with your knees and not your back
- Avoiding lifting weights that are too heavy for you