TL;DR:
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What is a hernia? A hernia is the abnormal protrusion of internal organs through a weakened area of tissue, involving gates, canal, sac, and contents.
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Types of hernia: Common types include inguinal, umbilical, abdominal (ventral), hiatal, white line, femoral, and spinal hernias.
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Causes: Factors include congenital defects, heavy lifting, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, chronic cough, constipation, pregnancy, aging, and connective tissue issues.
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Symptoms: Tumor-like thickening, local pain, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, heartburn (hiatal hernia), nausea, bloating, and skin redness.
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Diagnosis: Physical examination and imaging (e.g., ultrasound, CT scans).
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Treatment: Surgery (traditional or laparoscopic with synthetic mesh); umbilical hernias in infants often resolve naturally.
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Prevention: Healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, and avoiding excessive physical strain.
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Untreated hernia risks: Enlargement, tissue ischemia, necrosis, or hernia incarceration. Seek timely treatment to avoid complications.
Everyone has heard about hernia. It is a health problem that, if left untreated, can cause serious consequences for our body. So it is worth learning what a hernia is, how to recognize it and what can cause it. With this knowledge, we will be able not only to prevent, but also to detect this abnormality at an early stage.
What is a hernia?
A hernia is defined as an abnormal position of organs in the interior of the body. In other words, it **is **a pathological change involving the inward or outward protrusion of the contents of the body cavity through an opening in the shells. The location of the occurrence of a hernia is an immunocompromised area. The structure of a hernia is the gates, canal, sac and contents. Through the gates of the hernia, the contents enter. This is the place with less tissue resistance. The hernia canal, on the other hand, is the place where the contents can escape beyond their normal location. The hernia sac, on the other hand, is formed by the peritoneum and in it the contents can accumulate. At the same time, it should be noted that the contents can vary, depending on the location of the hernia.
What are the types of hernia?
Hernias come in many types. Most often they occur from the neck to the hips. They take their name precisely from the place of localization. Therefore, several basic types of hernias can be distinguished, such as:
- inguinal hernia,
- umbilical hernia,
- abdominal hernia,
- hiatal hernia,
- hernia of the white line,
- femoral hernia,
- spinal hernia.
Inguinal hernia occurs when the convexity of the contents of the cavity occurs in the inguinal canal. Here we can distinguish between an oblique inguinal hernia, a straight inguinal hernia and an acquired inguinal hernia. In most cases, during an inguinal hernia, there is a bulging of the bladder or ovaries. Acquired hernias are usually referred to when they occur in adults. About 60% of hernia cases involve the groin, so it is one of the most common conditions. It should also be added that it affects more men than women. Umbilical hernia is a condition that, in turn, most often affects children. However, its appearance in adults is not excluded. In the case of young children, the problem of umbilical hernia usually involves the protrusion of the intestine through the umbilical ring and appears in infancy. In contrast, ventral hernia occurs when tissues protrude through the opening between the abdominal muscles. There are three types of ventral hernia, these are epigastric, Spiegel's and rosette hernia. The former is located between the navel and sternum and in most cases is not large in size. A Spiegel hernia, on the other hand, is located across the Spiegel fascia in the middle of the abdominal muscles. A rosette hernia is caused by a surgical incision and is also called a post-operative hernia. Oesophageal hiatal hernia occurs within the lower diaphragm, when part of the stomach enters the chest just through the diaphragm. This problem often affects pregnant women and usually occurs in adults. In children, the condition is considered a congenital defect. White line hernia occurs at the midline of the abdomen on the tendons of the transverse and oblique abdominal muscles. Much more often this type of hernia occurs in physically active people. A femoral hernia occurs when abdominal organs protrude through the femoral canal in its upper or lower part. This condition occurs more often in women however, it does not account for a large percentage of the incidence. The last type of hernia is spinal hernia. It is commonly referred to as disc prolapse. People who participate in sports and who put a lot of stress on the spine are particularly exposed to it. Of course, these are not all types of hernias that can occur in the human body, but only the most common ones.
Causes of hernia formation
The single cause that causes the formation of a hernia cannot be determined. It will largely depend on the type of hernia and its location. The exception is post-surgical hernia. Here the cause is complications after surgical excision. However, it is possible to distinguish general factors that favor the appearance of a condition such as a hernia. These include:
- congenital defects arising while still in the fetal period,
- violent physical exertion including, in particular, lifting heavy objects,
- lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle,
- excessive weight,
- compulsive smoking,
- constipation,
- diseases of the large intestine,
- chronic cough,
- prostate hypertrophy,
- multiple pregnancies,
- diseases affecting the deterioration of connective tissue continuity.
Moreover, old age increases the risk of hernia, due, among other things, to a decrease in the synthesis of collagen, which is a key component of connective tissue. In addition, the passing of time affects the deterioration of the abdominal shells and the difficulty of movement, that is, the lack of an adequate amount of activity. In the case of esophageal hiatal hernia, the anatomical structure of the diaphragm, the lower section of which has a sphincter and passes into the esophagus, is crucial. When there is a disturbance in this structure, the stomach gullet can move upward in the abdominal cavity, causing this hernia. On the other hand, an umbilical hernia, which is most common in infants, is caused by temporary immaturity of the body and, with the passage of time, in most cases disappears spontaneously. So, as you can see, the causes of hernia can be very diverse, and the condition affects both men and women of different age ranges.
How does a hernia manifest itself?
It is not uncommon for a hernia to go unnoticed at the initial stage. All due to the fact that in most cases it does not give clear and annoying symptoms. It is only with time that unpleasant and painful discomforts can appear, which can suggest to us that something wrong is happening in the body. Common symptoms of a hernia, regardless of its type, include the appearance of a thickening in the form of a tumor. It has an initially soft structure and is located, depending on the type of hernia, in distinctive places such as the groin or navel. In most cases, if not accompanied by pain, we do not pay attention to the appearance of this change. However, it is often the case that in addition to the appearance of the tumor itself, we may experience symptoms such as:
- pain within the area of the appearance of the hernia,
- visibility of the tumor during an increase in pressure in the abdominal cavity, such as when pushing or standing up from a lying position,
- pain during compression of the tumor,
- chest pain,
- coughing,
- difficulty in swallowing,
In addition, in the case of a hernia of the esophageal hiatus, there may be persistent heartburn. What's more, symptoms indicating that a hernia may be involved include a pulling sensation at the site of the hernia, constant nausea, bloating and vomiting. Sometimes you may also notice reddened skin and may develop a fever. Any worrisome symptom is worth consulting a doctor to confirm the hernia and begin appropriate treatment. This is because it is important to keep in mind that underestimating a hernia can result in serious health problems.
Diagnosis of hernia
Confirmation of a hernia is done by palpation. For diagnosis, the doctor orders the patient to perform several movements in the supine and standing positions. By making the abdominal presser move, the existing hernia is made visible. In addition, when palpation diagnosis does not allow clear confirmation of a hernia, modern technology in the form of ultrasound, or computed tomography, is used.
How is a hernia treated?
Depending on the type of hernia, the course of treatment may vary. ** A ventral hernia can be treated only surgically using the traditional method or laparoscopically. This is the operation for a small hernia up to 5 cm. However, for larger hernias, an additional synthetic mesh is used to help close the defect. This is a tension-free method. Laparoscopic treatment, on the other hand, involves making small incisions of 0.5 to 1.5 cm through which a laparoscope is inserted. During this method, too, a plastic mesh is used to close the hernia gates. The additional mesh used is to prevent hernia recurrence.
After surgical treatment, the patient must lead a frugal lifestyle. Physical activity should be restricted for a period of two weeks to even a month, depending on the location and stage of the operated hernia. In the case of an umbilical hernia in infants, treatment may not be necessary, as it usually absorbs on its own as the child grows and develops.
Can hernias be prevented?
Definitely, people whose hernia has occurred due to an unhealthy lifestyle or lifting heavy objects should avoid such activities to prevent a recurrence. What's more, to reduce the risk of hernia, it's worthwhile to take care of moderate age-appropriate movement and a balanced diet.
Consequences of an untreated hernia
Failure to adequately treat a hernia results in its enlargement and restriction in daily activities. Among the most dangerous complications of this condition is hernia herniation or incarceration, which can cause tissue ischemia and the development of necrosis. Because of the above consequences of lack of treatment, it is worthwhile to consult a doctor for symptoms suggesting that we may have a hernia. Prompt and appropriately tailored treatment will prevent complications and help you return to normal function without persistent discomfort.
Conclusion
Understanding hernias helps you recognize early signs and seek timely treatment. Hernias can arise from diverse causes, show subtle symptoms early on, and worsen without care. Prevention, balanced habits, and prompt intervention are key to avoiding complications like tissue damage. If you notice unusual lumps or pain, don't ignore it. Addressing hernias early ensures a better outcome and reduces risks. Stay informed, make healthier choices, and consult a specialist when needed. Your health depends on proactive care and awareness.
