Symptoms,Diagnosis and Treatments for Hernia


Diagnosis Process for Hernia

No early symptoms and no unusual signs, one fine morning you wake up and feel a bulge in the abdomen or in the groin while having a hot shower. That bulge will be painless and looks harmless but your heart in any way does not remain calm. This bulge could be hernias and they are more common than you think!.

Hernias are just the results of organs that are trying to push through the peritoneum tissue that tries to seperate each organ internally. The bulge may not cause any pain in most cases but based on the location and size of it, the person may feel discomfort or pain.

How Hernias occur?

Peritoneum, a muscular wall, is the tissue that keeps each internal organ in its place. When this wall gets weakened due to various reasons, the organs try to push through the weak spot, causing a bulge. This is called herniating.

In a few cases, the bulges heal on their own only to reappear again after some time. And, there is no treatment required as long as the bulge does not cause any pain or discomfort.

What are the causes for Hernia?

There is no particular reason behind any type of hernia. However, birth, age and lifestyle can play a major role behind hernias. Starting from lifting weights to coughing vigorously can lead to hernias. Again various reasons come together and trigger hernias and it could not be attributed to any reason in particular.

However, there are risk factors that you could not brush off and they have been discussed in the following section. Continue reading to know more about them.

What are the types of Hernias?

Generally hernias could be found anywhere between the chest to the groin region. Based on the location, hernias have been categorised in the following ways.

  • Upper abdominal region - Known as hiatal hernia, is caused due to an opening or a weak spot in the diaphragm. The risk factors including age and being obese.
  • Lower abdominal region - This is known as periumbilical and umbilical hernia and appeared on the lower abdomen. Being overweight and multiple pregnancies are the risk factors.
  • Groin region - Two types of hernias appear in this region - femoral and inguinal. Femoral hernias are common women and inguinal in men. Issues related to prostate, age and being obese can be the risk factors.

There are other types of hernias that are triggered by surgeries. Surgical hernias occur when a person undergoes a surgery and if the peritoneum is damaged in that process.

What are the symptoms of Hernia?

Hernia can be just a harmless bulge in many cases and people can live with it, without any medical attention. But the problem arises if the bulge appears in an area that leads to pain and discomfort. In a few cases, hiatal hernia causes heartburn and acidic reflux.

What is the diagnosis process and treatment for Hernia?

Diagnostic process for hernia is pretty straight forward and involves physical examination. In a few cases, the doctor may recommend imaging tests to determine the exact location.

There are many Treatment Methods for Hernia that give temporary relief but surgery is the only permanent cure. There are two types of surgery methods that your doctor will recommend.

  • Open surgery - It is performed using a mesh. The surgeon will make a small incision, push the organ back inside, and close the hole created by hernia using a mesh. This is a simple procedure and can be conducted as an outpatient procedure.
  • Laparoscopic surgery - This procedure is mostly employed for the hernias that are in the abdominal region. The small tube-like instrument called port is inserted through the abdominal wall and the mesh will be placed to close the hole.

Post surgery the doctor will provide you with recovery steps that include diet tips for hernia and its prevention. There is no permanent cure for hernias except surgery and your doctor may recommend it only if it causes discomfort or pain in future.

Prevention of hernia depends on easing various triggering factors that may vary from person to person. If you are feeling a bulge that is causing any kind of discomfort, follow book an appointment for Hernia Doctor Consultation.

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