Hernia

Experiencing a hernia at some point in your life is a very common occurrence amongst the population in the United States.  Anytime an internal body part (an organ or tissue) pushes into an area where it doesn’t belong, it’s called a hernia.  Hernias are medically treatable by a medical professional and can usually be diagnosed by the person they occur in.  A typical hernia will involve the stomach or intestine.  The symptoms you experience will all depend on what area is affected.  You may have no symptoms at all, or there could be swelling and pain.  Typically males are affected more than females, and the incidence of hernias increase more in those who are 40 plus years old.  Types of hernias include inguinal, incisional, femoral, umbilical, and hiatal.  Let us explain.

            Inguinal Hernia

Ø  This is a hernia that occurs in the groin.

Ø  Intestine or bladder protrudes through the abdominal (stomach) wall, or into the inguinal canal in the groin. 

Ø  This type occurs more frequently in males because of a natural weakness in the groin.

Ø  Keep in mind that this type does not get better or go away on its own and it could very well lead to life-threatening complications.

Ø  Surgery is usually the recommended treatment; inguinal hernia repair is a very common surgical procedure.

            Incisional Hernia

Ø  The intestine will be observed to push its way through the abdominal wall at a site of a previous abdominal surgery. 

Ø  This hernia can happen months or even up to years after you had abdominal surgery.  It can be large and painful depending on your condition.

Ø  Most of the time it will occur along a vertical incision (one that goes up and down).

Ø  Most common in the elderly or individuals who are overweight and inactive after abdominal surgery.

            Femoral Hernia

Ø  Occurs when tissue bulges from the lower belly into the upper thigh, just below the crease of your groin.

Ø  Most common in women, more so if the individual is overweight.

Ø  Pain will usually be felt in the groin area, which may cause a femoral hernia to be mistaken for an inguinal hernia.

Ø  This type may be hard for your provider to diagnose due to being too small to feel during an exam, so other tests may be required.  Your provider will discuss your options with you should this occur.

            Umbilical Hernia

Ø  Occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through the umbilical opening in the abdominal muscles.

Ø  Common occurrence that is typically harmless.

Ø  Most frequently seen in infants and usually these hernias close on their own by 1 or 2 years of age.

Ø  This type commonly affects obese women, or those individuals who have had many children.

Ø  If an umbilical hernia occurs in adulthood, it may require surgical repair.

            Hiatal Hernia

Ø  The hiatus is an opening in the muscular wall that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen.

Ø  Normally, the esophagus (where your food goes down) goes through the hiatus and attaches to your stomach, a hiatal hernia happens when the stomach bulges up into the chest cavity through that opening instead.

Ø  Some individuals with this type of hernia may complain of heartburn.

Ø  Occur more often in women, those over age 50 and those who are overweight.

All types of hernias are caused by a combination of pressure and muscle weakness.  The pressure will push the organ or tissue through the opening or weak area.  This muscle weakness generally occurs later in life.  An increase in pressure in your abdominal area can result in a hernia.  Examples of what could cause an increase in abdominal pressure include:

ü  Lifting heavy objects without proper body mechanics to stabilize your abdominal muscles.

ü  Having diarrhea or constipation.

ü  Experiencing a persistent cough or sneezing.

There are also some modifiable factors that can weaken your muscles and make hernias more likely to happen to you and these include being overweight, having poor nutritional habits, and smoking.  Your provider will discuss your options with you that could help lower the incidence of you experiencing a hernia of any type. 

With a hernia, your symptoms will vary depending on the location affected.  Some individuals will not have any noticeable symptoms, while others may experience pain in the abdomen, pelvis, or testicle that can be dull, sharp, and/or severe.  Some may experience discomfort or swelling in the groin area alone, whereas a hiatal hernia could result in belching or bloating.  With any hernia there could be swelling and tenderness of the surrounding skin of the area that is involved.

Treatment of the hernia you are experiencing will ultimately be up to your provider and the extent and characteristics of your specific type of hernia.  Some individuals will be given supportive devices as a goal to prevent the hernia from worsening, while its progression is monitored.  If a supportive device does not allow for improvement and the hernia continues to cause problems, this is the time when surgery may be the required for treatment.  If you do undergo surgery, the goal of it will be to return the protruding tissue back to its normal location and closing the opening where there is weakness. 

Total Home Health has a program that is right for you or your loved ones who may experience any type of hernia.  Our professionals will work closely with you to determine how you can continue your daily life as independent and with the least amount of pain that is physically possible.  Enroll and we’ll get started today!