14/05/2023
RN/BSC MUTETA
Everything You Want to Know About a Hernia
âś…Types
âś…Symptoms
âś…Causes
Hernias typically result from a combination of muscle weakness and strain. Doctors may suggest watchful waiting for complications or surgery to repair the hernia, depending on severity.
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.
Many hernias occur in the abdomen between your chest and hips, but they can also appear in the upper thigh and groin areas.
Most hernias aren’t immediately life threatening, but they don’t go away on their own. Sometimes they can require surgery to prevent dangerous complications.
âś…Types of hernia
There are several different types of hernias. Below, we’ll explore some of the most common ones.
âś…Inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia. They 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 your groin. In men, it’s the area where the spermatic cord passes from the abdomen to the sc***um. This cord attaches to the testicles. In women, the inguinal canal contains a ligament (called the round ligament) that helps hold the uterus in place.
Inguinal hernias are more common in men because the testicles descend through the inguinal canal shortly after birth. The canal is supposed to close almost completely behind them. Sometimes the canal doesn’t close properly, leaving a weakened area.
âś…Hiatal hernia
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach protrudes up through the diaphragm into your chest cavity. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that helps you breathe by contracting and 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 people over 50 years old. If a child has the condition, it’s typically caused by a conge***al birth irregularity.
Hiatal hernias almost always cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In GERD, the stomach contents leak backward into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation.
âś…Umbilical hernia
Umbilical hernias can affect children and babies. They occur when the intestines bulge through the abdominal wall near the belly button. You may notice a bulge in or near your child’s belly button, especially when they’re crying.
An umbilical hernia is the only kind that often goes away on its own as the abdominal wall muscles get stronger. This typically happens by the time the child is 1 or 2 years oldTrusted Source. If the hernia hasn’t gone away by 5 years of age, surgery can be performed to correct it.
Adults can also have umbilical hernias. They can occur from repeated strain on the abdomen due to conditions such as obesity, fluid in the abdomen (ascites), or pregnancy.
âś…Ventral hernia
A ventral hernia happens when tissue bulges through an opening in the muscles of your abdomen. You may notice that a ventral hernia decreases in size when you’re lying down.
Although a ventral hernia can be present from birth, it’s more commonly acquired at some point during your lifetime. Common factors in ventral hernia formation include obesity, pregnancy, and strenuous activity.
Ventral hernias can also occur at the site of a surgical incision. This is called an incisional hernia and can result from surgical scarring or weakness of the abdominal muscles at the surgical site. Continue reading about ventral hernias.
✅‼️Hernia symptoms
The most common symptom of a hernia is a bulge or lump in the affected area. For example, in the case of an inguinal hernia, you may notice a lump on either side of your p***c bone where your groin and thigh meet.
You may find that the lump “disappears” when you’re lying down. You’re more likely to feel your hernia through touch when you’re standing up, bending down, or coughing. Discomfort or pain in the area around the lump may also be present.
Some types of hernia, such as hiatal hernias, can have more specific symptoms. These can include heartburn, trouble swallowing, and chest pain.
In many cases, hernias have no symptoms. You may not know you have a hernia unless it shows up while you’re undergoing a medical exam for an unrelated problem or a routine physical.
âś…Hernia causes
Hernias are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and strain. Depending on its cause, a hernia can develop quickly or over a long period of time.
Some common causes of muscle weakness or strain that can lead to a hernia include:
âś…A conge***al condition, which occurs during development in the womb and is present from birth
aging.
âś…Damage from an injury or surgery
strenuous exercise or lifting heavy weights.
âś…chronic coughing or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
pregnancy, especially having multiple pregnancies.
âś…constipation, which causes you to strain when having a bowel movement
being overweight or having obesity
ascites.
There are also certain risk factors that make you more likely to develop a hernia. They include:
âś…Being born prematurely or having a low birth weight
being older
chronic cough (likely due to the repetitive increase in abdominal pressure)
cystic fibrosis
pregnancy
chronic constipation
being overweight or having obesity
smoking, which leads to the weakening of connective tissue
a personal or family history of hernias
