Most of us probably know someone who has had a hernia. This digestive system disorder is relatively common, especially in men. However, many people don’t know much about the symptoms and treatment of a hernia until they hear the diagnosis from their doctor. Knowing the risk factors and treatment options is a positive step.
What are the causes of a hernia?
The telltale sign of a hernia is a bulge in the groin, usually where the thigh meets the trunk. If your abdominal wall is weak or has larger openings than normal, part of the intestine can pass through and cause the hernia to bulge. Hernias can be painful, especially if you stand for a long time, cough or lift heavy objects.
Hernias occur ten times more often in men than in women because the male body develops in the womb. If an inguinal hernia is not the result of pre-existing weakness in the abdominal wall, it is most likely due to muscle weakness associated with age, lifting heavy objects, or repeated coughing due to illness or disease. Years of smoking.
In women, hernias can occur if tissue in the uterus attaches to the pubic bone. Pregnancy can also cause hernias due to additional pressure on the abdomen. Obesity can result in a hernia, stressful bowel movements and chronic cough in both men and women. Another risk factor for hernias is your family history. If your parents or siblings have one, you are more likely to suffer from this disease. If you’ve ever had a hernia, your risk increases.
Diagnosis and treatment
In most cases, hernias need to be treated surgically. When left alone, they often get bigger and cause complications by clogging the intestine or reducing blood flow to the intestinal tissue. If you have a bulge in the groin area and / or feel pain when coughing or lifting, see a doctor to confirm your suspected hernia. Each case should be considered individually so that only a doctor can determine the best course of action.
Diagnosing a hernia often requires a simple physical exam. Once the doctor has located the hernia and determined how it affects your body, he or she will decide whether or not to perform the surgery. If it’s not painful or annoying, your doctor can wait to see how your condition develops. When surgery is required, there are two main options.
Nowadays, hernia surgery generally does not require large cuts and long recovery times. If your doctor does herniorrhaphy, you will be asked to move as quickly as possible and be fully mobile again within four to six weeks. In this procedure, an incision is made in the groin so that the intestine can be repositioned and the weakened abdominal wall can be repaired.
On the other hand, hernioplasty can be performed laparoscopically, which means making multiple small incisions and the surgeon using a miniature camera to place sutures over the damaged area. This second method has a faster recovery time and is often used for people who have had other operations in the region. The downside is that hernias may appear more often than after herniorrhaphy.
If you think you have a hernia or want to avoid recurrence, follow a few simple steps to reduce your risk. If you have been at work for a long time, take frequent breaks. Avoid heavy lifting and always push between your legs instead of letting your back do all the work. Try to reach a healthy weight to relieve your stomach, and if you smoke, try to quit. All of these healthy steps lower your risk of hernias and improve your long-term health.