Hernia Treatment
A hernia is a gap in our abdominal muscles through which internal organs or fat protrude outside. Hernias can happen in all age groups. Hernias appear as swellings noted in our abdominal wall which sometimes give pain.
Hernias appear as a swelling or lump which is occasionally painful. They tend to increase in size over time as our abdominal muscles become weaker with age and also due to the pressure we exert during various activities such as passing stool, lifting weight etc.
Types of Hernia:
There are different types of hernias depending on the area of the body where the gap appears.
These are the most common hernias, mostly seen in men. They are also called groin hernias
These are hernias where the gap in muscles is at the navel. They are common in women due to stretching of muscles during pregnancy.
These are seen in the upper part of the abdomen
These are also groin hernias. These hernias are more dangerous and likely to get obstructed and so need to treated immediately.
These hernias occur from weakness of muscles at the scar of a previous surgery
Hernias can occasionally get complicated. If the intestine or fat which is protruding through the gap gets trapped, these are called obstructed hernias. In such cases, if the obstruction is not removed immediately, the intestine or fat can lose its blood supply and die and this becomes a medical emergency.
Hernias can be treated easily with open or laparoscopic surgery. Open surgery nowadays is generally preferred for large complex hernias. In most other cases, surgeons prefer performing laparoscopic surgery using small cuts and camera. This makes the surgery painless and patients recover quickly.
During surgery, the surgeon removes the intestine or fat stuck in the gap, closes the gap with sutures and places a mesh to give additional support to the weakened muscles.
If you have a hernia, or a swelling, do consult a surgeon to get accurate diagnosis and treatment.