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 cord passes from the abdomen to
the scrotum. This cord 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.
Causes of Hernia Especially Men Health?
Hernias are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and strain. A
hernia can develop quickly or over a long period of time, depending on
its cause.
Common causes of muscle weakness include:
- 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:
- being pregnant (puts pressure on your abdomen)
- being constipated (causes you to strain when having a bowel movement)
- heavy weight lifting
- fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
- suddenly gaining weight
- persistent coughing or sneezing
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.
Diagnose your target area from Hernia
Your doctor will likely diagnose an inguinal or occasional hernia by
performing a physical examination. Your doctor may feel for a bulge in
your abdomen or groin that gets larger when you stand, cough, or
strain.
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
ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the structures inside the body.
Watch your Hernia from infect your life
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.
Hernias can be repaired with either open or laparoscopic surgery.
Laparoscopic surgery
uses a tiny camera and miniaturized surgical equipment to repair the
hernia using only a few small incisions. Laparoscopic surgery is less
damaging to the surrounding tissue.
Open surgery requires a longer recovery process. You may be unable to
move around normally for up to six weeks. Laparoscopic surgery has a
much shorter recovery time. However, the risk of your hernia
reoccurring is higher. In addition, not all hernias are suitable for laparoscopic repair, including those in which a portion of your intestines has moved down into the scrotum.
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.
Avoid from to be victim of Hernia
If left untreated, your hernia will probably grow larger and more
painful. A portion of your intestine could become trapped, or
“incarcerated,” in the abdominal wall. This can obstruct your bowel,
causing severe pain, nausea, and constipation.
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.
21:02:00
Posts
