Hernia
There are several kinds of hernias, but the all happen when pressure pushes an organ (often the intestine) through a weak spot in a muscle face or wall. Different kinds of hernias have different risk factors. 4/5 of all hernias are inguinal hernias, where the intestine (or occasionally the bladder) pushes through the lower abdominal wall-near or into the groin. Most of these occur in men, although they are also common in newborns because the abdominal walls in babies are weak.
Treatment for hernias can be no treatment, to medicines to surgery. Many hernias are not serious, although larger ones certainly can be, and complications can include an obstruction of the digestive tract. Modern surgical methods to treat hernias are much improved over older techniques and recovery times are much shorter.
Recently Answered
- Q Can sports hernias be prevented?
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Sports hernias are difficult to prevent when core body muscles are imbalanced. Maintaining equally strong abdominal and adductor muscles can help to prevent tears in the abdominal wall. Stretching the core muscles prior to physical activity can... Full Answer
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- Q How common are Velpeau hernias?
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Femoral hernias such as a Velpeau hernia are not as common as inguinal hernias; however, they have a higher risk for incarceration than inguinal hernias. Velpeau hernias develop in front of the femoral artery, in the groin area. About 70 percent of... Full Answer
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- Q Do sliding hernias affect children?
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Sliding hernias rarely develop in children. When they do occur it's usually due to a congenital defect in the shape of the hiatus opening or weakness of the diaphragm muscle. Illness that causes frequent regurgitation of food may also lead to a sliding... Full Answer
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- Q Are properitoneal hernias life-threatening?
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Properitoneal hernias that cause intestinal blockage can become life-threatening. Intestinal blockage, incarceration, and strangulation of the hernia are life-threatening complications that require immediate medical attention. An incarcerated hernia is... Full Answer
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- Q How common are properitoneal hernias?
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Properitoneal hernias are rare. When they do develop, they are often linked to inguinal hernias. Inguinal hernias are more common in men than women but properitoneal hernias linked to inguinal/femoral hernias are more common in women. Full Answer
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- Q Are sliding hernias life-threatening?
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Sliding hernias are not life-threatening. Because only a small portion of the stomach slides up through the diaphragm muscle, symptoms may or may not develop. The risk of incarceration and strangulation-both life-threatening hernia complications-is... Full Answer
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- Q Can a hernia be prevented?
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Hernias are difficult to prevent. There are ways to help prevent hernia development, including: Avoiding heavy lifting/learn to lift correctly Eating health, well-balanced meals to prevent constipation Maintaining a healthy weight constipation Quitting... Full Answer
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- Q How are properitoneal hernias diagnosed?
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Properitoneal hernias can be harder to diagnose during a physical examination. Unless the properitoneal hernia results from an inguinal hernia bulge that overflows at the opening of the inguinal canal because the hernia sac is hidden between the... Full Answer
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- Q Is there a cure for a sports hernia?
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A sports hernia can be cured with surgery. Surgery is often the only way to repair and strengthen the torn area of the abdominal wall. Post-operative rest and physical therapy can help increase the effectiveness of the surgery as well as aid the... Full Answer
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- Q Can a complicated hernia be life-threatening?
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A complicated hernia can be life-threatening. A complicated hernia that is left untreated can in some cases lead to potentially fatal hernia complications. Incarcerated and strangulated hernias are two kinds of complicated hernias that require... Full Answer
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