- a congenital condition, which occurs during development in the womb and is present from birth.
- aging.
- damage from an injury or surgery.
- strenuous exercise or lifting heavy weights.
- chronic coughing or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
- pregnancy, especially having multiple pregnancies.
Symptoms
Types of hernia
- Inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia. ...
- Hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach protrudes up through the diaphragm into your chest cavity.
- Umbilical hernia. Umbilical hernias can affect children and babies. ...
- Ventral hernia. ...
Causes
Hernia. A hernia happens when an internal organ pushes through a weak spot in your muscle or tissue. There are several types of hernia that you can experience including, inguinal hernias, femoral hernias, umbilical hernias and hiatal hernias. If you have a hernia, it’s important to treat it quickly.
Prevention
Typically, a medium-sized hernia will not cause pain. In fact, hiatal hernia problems typically only present in hernias larger than 6 cm or 2.5 inches. So long as your hernia is smaller than 6 cm or 2.5 inches, it should be manageable with self-care and medication. In cadavers, the average size of the esophageal hiatus, the measured hiatal surface area (HSA), is 5.84 cm 2 [2] .
Complications
What Causes Hernias?
- Weak stomach muscles and connective tissue: Because of genetics, some people are born with weaker connective tissue. ...
- Age, illness, or surgery: Your stomach muscles can also get weaker with age or because of something that happens, like surgery.
- Pregnancy: Being pregnant can cause your abdominal muscles to stretch and weaken. ...
What happens when you have a hernia?
What is a hernia, and how does it happen?
How bad is a medium size hiatal hernia?
What are the causes of a hernia?
What is the main cause of hernia?
Ultimately, all hernias are caused by a combination of pressure and an opening or weakness of muscle or fascia; the pressure pushes an organ or tissue through the opening or weak spot. Sometimes the muscle weakness is present at birth; more often, it occurs later in life.
What is best treatment for hernia?
What is the best treatment for a hernia? Hernias will not go away with time, nor can they be treated with exercises or medication. According to Dr. Sherman, surgery is really the only treatment to repair a hernia.
What are the first signs of a hernia?
Signs and Symptoms of a HerniaAn obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or the groin. ... A heavy feeling in the abdomen that sometimes comes with constipation or blood in the stool.Discomfort in the abdomen or groin when lifting or bending over.A burning or aching sensation at the bulge.More items...•
Can hernia be treated without surgery?
A hernia usually does not go away without surgery. Non-surgical approaches such as wearing a corset, binder, or truss may exert gentle pressure on the hernia and keep it in place. These methods may ease the pain or discomfort and may be used if you are not fit for the surgery or awaiting surgery.
How can I fix a hernia at home?
If I leave it alone, will my hernia heal on its own?Avoid lifting heavy objects, and strenuous exercise or activity. ... Maintain a healthy weight. ... Modify your diet. ... Use natural remedies to relieve hernia symptoms. ... Use an ice pack. ... Choose the Hernia Center of Northeast Georgia Medical Center for Your Hernia Repair.More items...•
What is the fastest way to relieve hernia pain?
Over-the-counter pain medications can relieve discomfort associated with an inguinal hernia. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, or naproxen can be taken, depending on individual preference. 3. Call as soon as possible for a follow-up appointment with your personal/referral surgeon.
Can hernia be cured?
Hernias usually do not get better on their own, and surgery may be the only way to repair them. However, your doctor will recommend the best therapy to address your hernia, and may refer you to a surgeon.
Where is hernia pain located?
The symptoms that lead most people to the doctor, and eventually a hernia diagnosis, typically include pain in the abdomen, particularly in the groin area. The pain tends to get worse if you sneeze, cough, lift something heavy or strain.
How to repair a hernia?
They may repair your hernia by sewing the hole in the abdominal wall closed during surgery. This is commonly done by patching the hole with surgical mesh.
What causes a hernia in the ventral area?
Common factors in ventral hernia formation include things like obesity, strenuous activity, and pregnancy. Ventral hernias can also happen at the site of a surgical incision. This is called an incisional hernia and can happen due to surgical scarring or weakness of the abdominal muscles at the surgical site.
What is a hernia in pregnancy?
In babies. Pregnancy. Complications. Prevention. A hernia occurs when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. For example, the intestines may break through a weakened area in the abdominal wall.
What is the term for a hernia in the abdomen?
Hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach protrudes up through the diaphragm into your chest cavity. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that helps you breathe by contracting and drawing air into the lungs. It separates the organs in your abdomen from those in your chest.
How do you know if your child has an umbilical hernia?
If your child has an umbilical hernia, you may notice it more when they’re crying or coughing. Typically, umbilical hernias in children are painless. However, when symptoms such as pain, vomiting, or swelling at the hernia site occur, you should seek emergency medical attention.
How do you know if you have a hernia?
Symptoms of a hernia. The most common symptom of a hernia is a bulge or lump in the affected area. For example, in the case of an inguinal hernia, you may notice a lump on either side of your pubic bone where your groin and thigh meet. You may find that the lump disappears when you’re lying down. You’re more likely to feel your hernia ...
How does an open hernia surgery work?
During open surgery, the surgeon makes an incision close to the site of the hernia, and then pushes the bulging tissue back into the abdomen. They then sew the area shut, sometimes reinforcing it with surgical mesh. Finally, they close the incision.
How to repair a hernia?
Although not all hernias need to be operated on, hernias that cause symptoms or that become larger should be repaired by a surgeon. The technique used to repair your hernia depends on its type, size and location. The surgical options include: 1 Simply stitching the defect closed 2 Using mesh plugs or patches to repair the defect 3 Performing laparoscopic surgery to fix the defect. The surgeon makes a small incision in the skin and performs the surgery using a telescope).
Why do hernias enlarge?
Some hernias are present at birth, while others develop during adulthood. Hernias may enlarge due to increased pressure inside the abdomen, such as during straining, persistent coughing, obesity, or pregnancy. Inguinal hernia — A portion of intestine or internal fat protrudes through a weakness in the inguinal canal.
What is the inguinal hernia?
Inguinal hernia — A portion of intestine or internal fat protrudes through a weakness in the inguinal canal. The inguinal canal is a natural passageway through the abdominal wall in the groin. In males, the inguinal canal contains the blood vessels that go to the testicle and the duct that carries sperm from the testicle.
What does it mean when a hernia is incarcerated?
A hernia is considered "incarcerated" if a portion of intestine becomes trapped in the hernia and is unable to slide back into the abdomen. Rarely, the trapped intestine can "strangulate.". This means that the contained intestine dies because its blood supply has been cut off by the constriction of the hernia.
How old are people with hernias?
Most people with such hernias are between ages 20 and 50. These hernias are often so small that they may go unnoticed. Umbilical hernia — Intestine or fat bulges through the abdominal wall under the navel.
What is a hernia in the stomach?
Hiatus hernia — This hernia involves the stomach rather than the intestine. The stomach slips upward through the normal opening in the diaphragm and passes into the chest. It is often associated with acid reflux, or "gastroesophageal reflux disease" (GERD), which causes heartburn.
How big is an abdominal wall hernia?
The area of weakness in the abdominal wall can be very small (less than half an inch) or it can be as large as 2 to 3 inches. Umbilical hernias are common in newborns but may disappear gradually over time. They may also occur in adults who are overweight or in women who have been pregnant many times.
How to keep a hernia at bay?
To keep hernias at bay, stay on top of your health game: Maintain a healthy weight. Stay hydrated and eat a diet rich in fruits, whole grains and vegetables to avoid constipation.
Where do hernias occur?
Most hernias occur in the abdominal area, between your chest and hip bones. 1 Hernias that can be pushed back into place are called reducible hernias. Those that can’t be popped back into position are termed irreducible or incarcerated.
Why are women more likely to develop femoral hernias than men?
Women, because of their wider pelvises, are four times more likely to develop femoral hernias than men. 5 . Incisional hernias: The cutting and sewing of surgery can weaken a muscle wall, making it more likely a hernia will develop.
What is the most common type of hernia?
Inguinal hernias are one of the most common types of hernia, affecting 27% of men and 3% of women. 2 . Umbilical hernias: These occur when tissue or parts of the intestine push through a weak area near the navel. They account for 6-14% of adult abdominal hernias, making them the second most common type. 3 Up to 20% of newborns have this hernia.
What is the term for a hernia that can move in and out of place?
Hiatal hernias are very common and the overwhelming majority are what’s known as “sliding” hiatal hernias, meaning they can move in and out of place. 4 . Femoral hernias.
What tests are done to check for a hernia?
Your doctor will perform a physical exam, feeling for a hernia while you sit, stand or even cough. Imaging tests like an ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) scan may also be ordered.
Can a hernia happen to a male?
Hernias can happen to anyone—male or female, young or old. Sometimes you’re born with a weakening in muscle walls and other times it develops over time. Some risk factors for hernia development include:
What is a hernia?
What Is Hernia? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. A hernia happens when fat, tissue, or part of an organ pushes through a weak spot or hole in the abdominal muscle or connective tissue. ( 1) Depending on the type of hernia you have and how severe it is, the condition can range from slightly bothersome to life-threatening, ...
Why do men have hernias?
In men, inguinal hernias can be caused by problems in the inguinal canals, from which the testi cles descend before or after birth. When muscles in these canals don’t close the way they are supposed to, the area can become weakened and lead to a hernia.
What is the name of the hernia that happens when fatty tissue protrudes through the abdomen near your
Umbilical hernia An umbilical hernia happens when fatty tissue or part of the intestine protrudes through the abdomen near your belly button. (4) Umbilical hernias are most common in infants, especially those who are premature or have a low birth weight, but adults can get them, too.
What is a hernia in the abdominal cavity?
Copy Link. Medically Reviewed. A hernia happens when fat, tissue, or part of an organ pushes through a weak spot or hole in the abdominal muscle or connective tissue. ( 1) Depending on the type of hernia you have and how severe it is, the condition can range from slightly bothersome to life-threatening, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
What are the different types of hernias?
Types of Hernias. There are several types of hernias. The most common types include: Inguinal hernia This is the most common type of hernia. (3) An inguinal her nia happens when tissue or part of your small intestine pushes into your groin or scrotum, causing a visible bulge.
How long does it take for a hernia to form?
You can develop a hernia all of a sudden after you bend, cough, laugh, or lift weights or heavy items. Alternatively, it can form over a period of weeks or months. ( 3) Most hernias are external, which means the tissue is pushing through the abdominal wall toward the outside of the body.
How to prevent an inguinal hernia?
You can help prevent an inguinal hernia by reducing strain on your abdominal muscles and tissues in the following ways: (6) Maintain a healthy weight with diet and exercise. Eat foods high in fiber, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, to prevent constipation. Lift heavy objects with care or avoid heavy lifting.
What Is A Hernia?
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Expected Duration
Prevention
Treatment
When to Call A Professional
- Most people discover their own hernias by noticing a bulge. Sometimes, however, your doctor will find a small hernia as part of a routine examination. Your doctor makes the diagnosis by physical examination. He or she may ask you to strain or cough (especially while standing), which may make the bulge easier to see or feel. Rarely, you may have symptoms that suggest a hernia, but t…
Further Information
- Most hernias stay the same or slowly get larger over time. Umbilical hernias, however, are a special situation. Most small umbilical hernias that appear before a baby is 6 months old will disappear before the child's first birthday. Even larger umbilical hernias may disappear before age 3 or 4.