Hernia

Do You Have a Bulge When You Cough? ·

Constant Pain in the Abdomen?

Could It Be a Sign of a Hernia?

Let’s Understand What a Hernia Is and What You Can Do.

A hernia is a common condition that occurs equally in males and females and is among the most common surgical procedures. The number of hernias per 100,000 people is higher than the rate of malignant melanomas. So if you're concerned about getting your hernia fixed, you can rest assured that it is relatively common. The blog post is about what hernia is and what you can do to prevent it from happening.

What Is a Hernia?

A hernia is an abnormal protrusion of the abdominal or intestines through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. For example, when the stomach pushes through the diaphragm, it creates a bulge in the abdomen that protrudes into the chest cavity. This bulge can be felt by feeling for a lump or a crease in the skin.

Types of Hernia:

Hernia can occur in any part of the body and can be congenital or acquired. There are many types of hernias, some of which can be life-threatening.

• The most common type of hernia is an inguinal hernia, which occurs when a loop of the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. An injury usually causes an inguinal hernia, but it can also happen due to pregnancy or weight gain. This type of hernia can be surgically repaired.
• A femoral hernia occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the groin.
• A scrotal hernia occurs when a loop of the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the scrotum.
• The umbilical hernia is a rare type of hernia that is found at the belly button or navel. This type of hernia is often not diagnosed until it has grown to a large size. This type of hernia can only be surgically repaired when it has become too large.

Signs and Symptoms That You Must Not Ignore:

Symptoms vary from person to person, depending upon the severity. Some symptoms include

• Pain
• Swelling
• A feeling of heaviness in the groin or belly when breathing or coughing.
• Pain in your abdomen when you bend over to pick something up.
• A hard lump in the groin

Several other signs might indicate a hernia, but it is best to see a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.

How Is a Hernia Diagnosed?

Imaging tests help find the source of the hernia and how large it is. These tests include:

• Blood tests
• Ultrasound.
• CT scans
• Magnetic resonance imaging

Treatment for Hernia:

The treatment for a groin hernia depends on its severity. If the hernia is small, it can be treated with rest and pain medication. If the hernia is large, it will require surgery. A hernia repair repairs the hole in the muscle wall that caused the hernia.

The repair is usually done through an incision in the groin.

Mesh repair:- Surgical mesh is a medical device that supports weakened tissue around a hernia. The mesh is placed across the damaged/weakened area in the upper stomach, abdomen, or groin and attached with sutures. This thereby supports the abdominal wall and prevents any bulge.

Laparoscopic repair is performed under general anaesthesia. Three half-inch incisions are made in the lower abdomen with a laparoscope inserted into the abdomen to visualise the hernia defect. It is a minimally invasive procedure with faster recovery and healing.

We are here to help your hernia heal! Do not delay your consultation with Dr. Abhijit Whatkar!