A hernia can be a painful condition that doesn’t go away on its own. In some cases, surgical intervention is necessary to prevent them from becoming dangerous and causing complications. But what is a hernia, and what are the different types of hernia?
This article will give you an overview of what a hernia is and why it happens. Finally, we’ll discuss the different types of hernia and what treatment options you have available.
What Is A Hernia?
A hernia is defined as an abnormal protrusion of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally holds it. They most commonly involve organs inside the abdomen and frequently occur in the groin.
Each organ inside the abdominal cavity is held in by tissues that form the abdominal wall. However, the abdominal wall may have a weak spot that allows an organ to protrude through it. For example, the intestines, or bowel, may push through a weak spot in the abdomen or groin.
Finally, a hernia may be visible on the outside of the body as a bulge that may get larger as you sit down. Conversely, it may disappear completely as you lie down. The area might be sore, painful, or tender.
What Causes A Hernia?
Many factors come together to cause hernias, and they can develop over a variable period. The primary factors involved are muscle strain and muscle weakness. Therefore, a hernia can occur from anything that pushes these abdominal muscles beyond their limits. This means heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, repeated bouts of coughing, trauma due to injury can all cause hernias.
However, some people may be more likely to develop hernias. Some people may have a congenital predisposition towards it. Other risk factors include advanced age, pregnancy, obesity, and smoking.
Different Types Of Hernia
There are several different types of hernia. We’ll explain each type briefly below:
- Inguinal hernia.
- Hiatal hernia.
- Incisional hernia.
This is the most common type of hernia. It occurs near the inguinal canal, which is in the groin. In men, the inguinal canal allows the spermatic cord to travel from the abdomen to the testicles. In women, the inguinal canal houses a ligament that holds the uterus in place. The inguinal canal can sometimes be weakened at birth or develop a tear that allows the intestines to push through.
This is a common hernia for people over 50 years of age. It occurs when a portion of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity. Therefore, it commonly causes gastrointestinal reflux disease.
Ventral hernia. This happens when there is an opening in your abdominal muscles that allows an organ to protrude through. It’s common to get a ventral hernia through vigorous activity, as well as through obesity or pregnancy.
This type of hernia occurs due to surgery causing weakness of the abdominal muscles near the incision site.
Umbilical hernia. This type of hernia is common in infants and children, where the intestines protrude through the abdominal wall. It’s often noticeable near the belly button region.
Fortunately, though, it usually goes away on its own as the child’s abdominal muscles get stronger.
Conclusion: How To Treat These Types of Hernia
The only way to effectively relieve symptoms and repair a hernia is through surgery. A gastroenterologist is a specialist who can help you determine the right kind of surgery. Because of this, it’s important to work together with an expert gastroenterology team to ensure that your hernia does not become dangerous or life-threatening.
At the Gastroenterology Diagnostic Center, we have significant experience in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. If you’d like to schedule a consultation with our board-certified gastroenterologists, please give us a call at (281) 357-1977. We will be happy to help you enhance your quality of life and show you why we’re the best GI in Tomball.