You may be already aware of what hernia is.

A hernia is a particularly widely known type of pathology, which is characterised by the emergence of an organ or tissue through the holes in a muscle or connective tissue.

Hernias are quite common, and they may occur in any part of the body although most of them are noticed in the abdominal region.

It is necessary to learn about hernias, their types, possible causes, indications of the disease, as well as various methods of its treatment for timely diagnosis and successful treatment.

This blog by Chennai Gastro Care will offer you all that you should learn about hernias and the options you have for fixing the problem.

Types of Hernias

Most of the hernias are generalised. However, they do depend on the region of the body from where they have grown and according to that, they may slightly differ.

The most common types of hernias include:

• Inguinal Hernia: This type is felt in the groin as a prostate gland or part of intestine or bladder extrudes right through the abdominal wall/ inguinal canal in the groin. This is commonly found in males rather than females.

• Femoral Hernia: Femoral hernia is therefore that program in which through the femoral canal which is situated sub- inguinally, a part of the intestine comes out. This type is preferred by women more than men; especially those women who are pregnant or those who are overweight.

• Umbilical Hernia: This type is found near the belly button, Umbilicus, because part of the intestinal structure has been pulled through the abdominal skin. Perhaps it is worth reminding that umbilical hernias pertain particularly to the paediatric population; still, one cannot rule out such a case in adults sometimes.

• Hiatal Hernia: A hiatal hernia is therefore another term which describes a situation in which a part of the stomach is displaced into the chest cavity through the diaphragm. This type is found commonly in the elderly and the obese group of people.

• Incisional Hernia: This type operates the region of the wall that has been cut in first carrying out an abdominal cut. This is possible especially, if after the surgery there was not proper suturing or after healing the wound granules appeared.

• Epigastric Hernia: This type occurs in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, given if there is a part of the intestine, which has gone through the abdominal wall between the umbilicus and the lower border of the ribs.

• Spigelian Hernia: This type is very rare and is found on the margin of the rectus abdominis muscle situated at the anterior abdomen wall.

Causes of Hernias

Hernias are common and they are as a result of weakness of the muscles and strain. Several factors can contribute to the development of a hernia, including:

• Congenital Defects: The anatomical factor that can be undergone is that some people are born with relatively flabby abdominal wall muscles which predispose them to the development of hernias.

• Age: Muscle strength also decreases as we age this makes our muscles less capable of holding in the internal organs thus increasing our tendencies of hernias.

• Chronic Cough: Some conditions that make patients cough often, especially COPD can actually result in increased abdominal pressure and hence hernias.

• Heavy Lifting: Stressing muscles of the abdomen to lift heavy objects can lead to formation of hernias on the muscles.

• Obesity: Obesity creates more workload on the abdominal muscles hence causing pressure and likely to develop hernias.

• Pregnancy: Also, recent studies have indicated that the pressure exerted on the abdomen during pregnancy tends to loosen muscles resulting in hernias.

• Straining During Bowel Movements or Urination: Difficulty in defecation or passing of urine may lead to straining which puts pressure on the abdominal area and may cause hernias.

• Previous Surgery: Abdominal incisions create some element of compromise to the layers of the abdominal wall and the area becomes a potential site for hernias.

Symptoms of Hernias

The symptoms of a hernia very depending on the type and location of the hernia but some of the most common ones are:

• Bulge or Lump: Increase of the size of the region interested and which may possibly be diagnosed while stretching the muscles up to the bar when it is possible to touch the knee with the fingers.

• Pain or Discomfort: Sharp pains in the area of the hernias especially during the weight-lifting session, coughing, or at any point that the patient is pulled forward.

• Weakness or Pressure: Abdominal pain, feelings that part of the abdomen can certainly be described as lighter and much more open, looser.

• Burning or Aching Sensation: Some soreness that may be ranging from burning sensation to actual pain in the area of the hernia.

• Difficulty Swallowing: If one has a hiatal hernia the patient is aware that there is food trapped in the chest with swallowing issues encountered.

• Nausea or Vomiting : Oftentimes, in the complications of the hernia, it may cause vomiting, nausea, or even obstructed bowels.

Diagnosis and Examination

Here are how hernias can be diagnosed and evaluated:

• Physical Examination: When conducting a physical evaluation, a doctor will perform palpation to feel for a lump on the painful area. Doctors may even request you to cough or to inflate to exert pressure in order to make the hernia protrude.

• Imaging Tests: However, normal physical examination does not rule out hernia and additional studies in the form of ultrasound, computerised tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging may be employed to determine the presence and size of hernia.

• Endoscopy: In the case where hiatal hernias are suspected, an endoscopy may be done to scrutinise the inside of the oesophagus and the stomach. The management of a hernia involves early operation, if it is in the groin area or large and painful, if the patient has no extreme medical condition.

• Lifestyle Changes: Stopping certain activities and changing habits like losing some weight, avoiding carrying heavy objects or exercising too much, and treating chronic cough or constipation can help to stop the hernia from getting bigger.

• Medications: In the case of hiatal hernias, drugs that control stomach acid and enhance the contraction and relaxation of the oesophagus may do so.

• Surgical Repair: For ruptured hernias or hernias that are large and interfere with an individual’s activities, surgery is usually necessary. -

1. Open Surgery: In this technique, the hernia is directly accessed through a large incision on the abdomen unlike minimally invasive surgeries. This tissue is then pulled back into position and the defect area sutured to reinforce the damaged area or using synthetic mesh material.

2. Laparoscopic Surgery: Laparoscopic surgery on the other hand requires several small incisions and a device called the laparoscope, which is a thin tube with a chamber that can hold a camera. This method is less invasive as compared to the traditional approaches, and mostly leads to less discomfort and less time for the healing process.

3. Robotic Surgery: Robotic surgery is akin to laparoscopic surgery but the operation is carried out using a robotic system, this enhances the performance.

Recovery and Prevention

The recovery period of hernia surgery varies and depends on the kind of surgery that has been done and the health state of the patient.

Common post-operative care recommendations include:

Rest and Avoid Straining: Some of the things that should be avoided after the surgery include bending, lifting, straining or any other activities that put pressure on the abdominal muscles for a period of two to six weeks after surgery.

Follow-Up Appointments: You should go for check-ups to ensure that there is healing well without any effects.

Healthy Lifestyle: Uphold a healthy lifestyle to reduce the chances of further series of episodes, care needs to be taken in matters relating to weight, heavy lifting among other issues that may arise like chronic cough or constipation.