You may be familiar with hernias – after all, hernias are a common problem and can occur in men, women and even infants. A hernia can be pain-free, but discomfort and pain from a hernia can be bothersome and even debilitating.
“Don’t ignore a hernia,” says William Newcomb, M.D., board-certified general surgeon. “If it’s not treated it can cause severe pain and other health problems.”
Dr. Newcomb is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He specializes in acute care, elective general surgery, complex hernia repair and minimally invasive surgery.
What is a hernia?
A hernia is a bulge that occurs through an opening in the muscle or tissue wall that usually keeps a body organ in place. When there is pressure and an opening or weakness of muscle or tissue, the pressure pushes the organ through the weak spot.
Hernias have several causes. Some hernias are present at birth, but most occur later in life.
“Being overweight or sudden weight gain, smoking or poor nutrition can weaken your muscles,” says Dr. Newcomb. “Pressure in the abdomen is also known to cause a hernia.”
Abdomen strains can happen when:
- Lifting, pushing or pulling heavy objects
- Constipation is present
- Coughing or sneezing is persistent
- Problems with urination are present
- Pregnancy occurs
Depending on where the hernia is, you may see a bulge.
What are the common types of hernia?
Hernias occur more often in certain areas of the body. These include the stomach, groin, the upper thigh and belly button area. Some of the types of hernias include:
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia – this is a rare birth defect that requires surgery.
Femoral hernia – appears in the area between the stomach and thigh near the femoral artery.
Hiatal hernia – occurs where there is a small opening in the diaphragm where the upper part of the stomach moves up into the chest area.
Incisional hernia – can happen after a surgery where a bulge appears at the surgery site.
Inguinal hernia – occurs when part of the intestines pushes through the stomach muscles between the belly button and the chest. These types of hernias are usually small and have no symptoms.
Umbilical hernia – these can be common in newborns and infants and happen when part of the intestines bulge through the stomach wall that is next to the belly button.
Spigelian hernia – occurs when a hernia bulges between muscle layers usually on the left or right side of the abdomen around the level of the belly button; the bulges from these hernias may not be obvious on inspection and may require an imaging study to diagnose.
Ventral hernia – occurs when tissue bulges through an opening in the upper to the middle area of the stomach wall.
How can you prevent a hernia?
Depending on the type of hernia, certain behaviors can increase your risk.
“You can reduce your chances of getting a hernia,” says Dr. Newcomb. Here’s how:
- Exercise. You can start by walking or biking to strengthen your muscles.
- Watch what you eat. Eating foods that are high in fiber can help with constipation.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Use good posture. When lifting heavy things, lift with your knees and keep your back straight.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking can cause a cough and that can lead to a hernia.
“Some hernias are inherited, meaning it’s a genetic weakness passed down from a previous generation,” says Dr. Newcomb. “If you think hernias may run in your family, there’s no sure way to prevent them. But you can reduce the risk of developing one by following the prevention advice.”
How do you treat a hernia?
Although hernias are common, the sooner they are treated the easier they are to fix. That’s because they usually get worse over time.
Only surgery can cure a hernia, but you can treat mild symptoms without surgery. These treatments include applying abdominal binders or hernia trusses.
Depending on your condition, two types of surgeries are performed to repair hernias:
- Open surgery
- Laparoscopic procedure
Mesh can be used for both types of hernia repairs. The best time to fix a hernia without mesh is when the hernia is early and small because smaller hernias have a similar risk of recurrence when repaired with or without mesh.
After a hernia repair, there’s a small chance that it will recur. Risk of recurrence can be minimized by following instructions you receive around the time of surgery.
A surgeon who specializes in hernia repair surgery can recommend the best plan based on your condition and needs. At Riverside, our surgeons perform thousands of hernia repair surgeries using the latest technology and evidence-based practices. Schedule an appointment today with one of our surgeons at Riverside Surgical Specialists.
