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Overview
Types
Causes
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Prevention
What Is a Hernia?
A hernia occurs when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in
place. For example, the intestines may break through a weakened area in the abdominal wall.
Hernias are most common in the abdomen. However, they can also appear in the upper thigh,
belly button, and groin regions. Though the majority of hernias are not immediately life
threatening, they will not go away on their own and will require surgical correction to prevent
potentially dangerous complications.
Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia. They make up about 70 percent of all
hernias, according to the British Hernia Centre (BHC). These hernias occur when the intestines
push through a weak spot or tear in the lower abdominal wall, often in the inguinal canal.
The inguinal canal is found in the groins of both men and women. In men, it is the area where the
spermatic chord passes from the abdomen to the scrotum. This chord holds up the testicles. In
women, the inguinal canal contains a ligament that helps to hold the uterus in place.
This type of hernia is more common in men than in women. This is because a man’s testicles
descend through the inguinal canal shortly after birth, and the canal is supposed to close almost
completely behind them. Sometimes, the canal does not close properly, leaving a weakened spot
prone to hernias.
Hiatal
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach protrudes up through the diaphragm into the
chest. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that helps you breathe by contracting, drawing air into
the lungs. It separates the organs in your abdomen from those in your chest.
This type of hernia is most common in patients over 50 years old. If a child has the condition, it
is typically caused by a congenital (birth) defect. Hiatal hernias almost always cause
gastroesophageal reflux (when the stomach contents leak backward into the esophagus, causing
a burning sensation).
Umbilical
Umbilical hernias occur in babies and children under six months of age if their intestines bulge
through the abdominal wall near the bellybutton. Parents may notice a bulge in or near their
child’s bellybutton, especially when the child is crying.
An umbilical hernia is the only kind that usually goes away on its own, typically by the time the
child is one year old. If the hernia has not gone away by this point, surgery may be used to
correct it.
Incisional
Incisional hernias can occur after you have abdominal surgery. Your intestines may push through
the incision scar or the surrounding, weakened tissue.
failure of the abdominal wall to close properly in the womb (congenital defect)
age
chronic coughing
damage from injury or surgery
Factors that strain your body and may cause a hernia (especially if your muscles are weak)
include:
If your baby has a hernia, you may only be able to feel the bulge when he or she is crying. A
bulge is typically the only symptom of an umbilical hernia.
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 (when stomach acid moves backwards into the esophagus causing a burning
sensation)
chest pain
difficulty swallowing
In some cases, hernias have no symptoms. You may not know you have a hernia unless it shows
up during a routine physical or a medical exam for an unrelated problem.
If you have a hiatal hernia, it may be diagnosed with a barium X-ray or endoscopy. These tests
allow your doctor to see the location of your stomach inside your body. A barium X-ray is a
series of X-ray pictures of your digestive tract that are recorded after you’ve drunk a liquid
solution containing barium, which shows up well on X-ray images. An endoscopy involves
threading a small camera attached to a tube down your throat and into your esophagus and
stomach.
If your child has an umbilical hernia, your doctor may perform an ultrasound.
An ultrasounduses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the structures inside the
body.
Surgery and Treatment Options for Hernias
Based on the size of your hernia and the severity of your symptoms, you may not need treatment.
Your doctor may simply monitor your hernia for possible complications.
The symptoms of a hiatal hernia can often be treated by simply changing your diet. Avoid large
or heavy meals, don’t lie down or bend over after a meal, and keep your body weight in a healthy
range. If these changes in diet do not eliminate your discomfort, you may need surgery to correct
the hernia.
If your hernia is growing larger or causing you pain, your doctor may decide that it’s best to
operate. Your doctor may repair your hernia by sewing the hole in the abdominal wall closed
during surgery. However, the more common treatment for hernias is to patch the hole with
surgical mesh.
If the trapped section of intestine cannot receive enough blood flow, “strangulation” occurs. This
can cause the intestinal tissue to become infected or die and is a life threatening medical
emergency.
Preventing a Hernia
You can’t always prevent the muscle weakness that allows a hernia to occur. However, you can
reduce the amount of strain you place on your body. This may help you avoid a hernia or keep an
existing hernia from getting worse. Prevention tips include:
not smoking
seeing your doctor when you are sick to avoid developing a persistent cough
maintaining a healthy body weight
avoiding straining during bowel movements or urination
not lifting weights that are too heavy for you and lifting with your knees, not your back.
Thanks for your input.
Feedback?
Article Sources:
Different Types of Hernia. (n.d.). The British Hernia Centre (BHC).Retrieved June 18, 2012,
from http://www.hernia.org/types.html
Hernias. (n.d.). KidsHealth.org. Retrieved June 18, 2012, fromhttp://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/guys/hernias.html
Hiatal hernia. (2011, August 11). National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved June 18, 2012,
fromhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002122/
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