A hernia is a protrusion of the body muscle or tissue through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue. Most hernias occur between the abdomen, chest, and hip areas of the body. Hernias are generally asymptomatic and do not heal over time. Therefore, surgery is a feasible hernia treatment. The type of hernia and the area of occurrence are very different in men and women due to the difference in the anatomy. Max hospital has the best laparoscopic surgeons to perform such surgeries with precision and favorable outcomes.
Types of Hernia:
- Inguinal Hernia: In men, an inguinal hernia is found in the passageway of the spermatic cord and blood vessels that lead to the testicles. It is more common in men as compared to women. However, an inguinal hernia in women occurs in the inguinal canal containing the ligaments supporting the womb. When a fatty tissue protrudes into the groin area of men, it is called an inguinal hernia.
- Femoral Hernia: These hernias are more common in women than men. When the fatty tissue or an intestinal part protrudes into the canal carrying the femoral artery into the inner thigh, it is called a femoral hernia. It is mainly caused due to pregnancy and birth-related conditions in women.
- Umbilical Hernia: When the fatty tissue or an intestinal part protrudes through the abdominal area near the belly button, it is called an umbilical hernia. It is most common in newborn babies, infants, and women, especially those who are pregnant or obese.
- Hiatus Hernia: When the fatty tissue or part of the stomach protrudes through the chest area by opening the diaphragm, it is called a hiatus hernia.
- Incisional Hernia: Caused as a result of an abdominal or pelvic operation where the fatty tissue protrudes through an abdominal scar.
- Epigastric Hernia: It occurs between the navel area and the lower area of the breastbone called a sternum.
- Spigelian Hernia: It occurs when the intestines push the fatty tissue through the abdomen towards the side of the abdominal muscle and below the navel area.
Of all the hernias treated, 75-80% of them are inguinal or femoral hernias. In addition, 2% of the hernia treatment is for incisional hernia, and up to 10% are umbilical. The remaining 3% of hernias may fall under other hernias.
Symptoms and Causes of Hernias:
Most hernias are caused by the age factor in both men and women. The other factors that cause a hernia are weak muscles caused due to excess strain. This strain may be due to high physical activities, pregnancy, obesity, continuous coughing, or constipation.
The most common hernia symptom is a swelling or bulge in the abdominal or groin area, creating a noticeable lump. Other symptoms include:
- Continuous pain in the bulged area
- Excess pain while doing physical activities
- Increase in swelling
- Loss of appetite or bowel obstruction
A hiatus hernia does not show bulges or swelling on the outer body. Instead, it manifests through heartburn, regurgitation, indigestion, or difficulty in swallowing food.
Hernia treatment:
Hernias do not heal on their own except for umbilical hernias in newborns. Therefore, surgery is recommended. The treatment is done by a surgeon after proper diagnosis followed by ascertaining the best method to operate on the hernia. A hernia surgery may be done in one of the following ways:
- Laparoscopy: It is the most commonly used hernia treatment where small incisions are made to insert surgical tools and a camera into the body. It is less painful and leads to minimum postoperative pain. The recovery time post-surgery is also lesser than in open surgery.
- Open Surgery: It is done by making an incision or cut in the hernia area, and the protruding tissue is removed. The weakened muscle wall or tissue is then stitched back to its original form.
- Robotic Hernia Repair: It is a robot-assisted surgery where the surgeon controls the movement of the robotic arms from a console. It is advisable for smaller hernias or weaker areas.
Post-Surgical Care:
After the patient’s discharge, they are advised to go through post-operative check-ups. Dressings of the operation are usually removed on the first follow-up after 3-5 days of the surgery. A nutritional diet plan is advised and must be followed by the patient for better recovery.
Why Max Hospital?
Max hospital provides a dedicated team of specialized surgeons to conduct precision laparoscopic surgeries for hernia treatment. The facility offers the latest surgical techniques and equipment, backed up by a dedicated and competent team of healthcare support staff.
Conclusion
One can maintain ideal body weight by following a healthy diet chart and exercising daily. In addition, you must keep yourself hydrated and consume healthy fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to avoid constipation. Quit smoking as continuous coughing can also lead to a hernia. One can follow such preventive measures to prevent a hernia. In case one develops a hernia and surgery is recommended, Max Hospital is the best choice for hernia treatment in India.
