What is a hernia?
A hernia is a bulging piece of the intestine or fat that has escaped through an abdominal muscle that is weak or torn.
A hernia is a condition in which muscle or tissue, typically located in the abdomen and groin, shrinks, thins, or tears. This can cause other tissue, or even an organ (sometimes the colon), to protrude through the torn or weakened tissue. This can cause pain and pressure.
“A hernia means something is out of place,” stated Igor Wanko Mboumi. He is a minimally invasive bariatric surgeon at Franciscan Physician Network Indy Southside Surgical Indianapolis. A hernia is not something that will disappear on its own. It can cause serious, even fatal, problems, such as abdominal tissue or organ damage.
What causes hernias?
A hernia can either develop slowly over time or suddenly. All it takes to increase the pressure in your abdominal cavity is increased pain. Many hernias are caused by age-related wear and tear or heavy lifting.
A hernia can occur in anyone of any age. The weak tissue that can lead to hernia formation is sometimes present at birth. However, other risk factors include chronic constipation and being overweight.
Regular exertion, such as weekend work in the yard, can cause a hernia.
Dr. Wanko Mboumi stated that prior Surgery is the most common cause of hernia. “After Surgery, the tissue layer becomes affected and heals to approximately 80 percent of its original strength. This can increase your chances of developing a hernia.
What Are Your Risks for Hernias
Here are some risk factors for hernias:
Chronic coughing
Smoking
Obesity
Pregnancy
What are the Different Types of Hernias
Many types of hernias can be found in different areas of the body. There are many types of hernias. The most common are the inguinal or femoral located in the groin.
A hernia is a protrusion in the groin that causes tissue to protrude from the inguinal region.
There are also other types of hernias:
A femoral hernia is a condition that occurs where the abdomen meets the top of the thigh.
An incisional hernia is a condition where muscles are damaged by Surgery.
Hiatal hernia is an internal condition where part of the stomach pushes through to the chest cavity.
An umbilical hernia is a condition that occurs in the navel region.
A ventral hernia is a condition that occurs in the abdomen.
What are the Symptoms of a Hernia?
A hernia is a soft bump that appears under your skin, near your abdomen, or groin. It may feel tender or squishy to the touch. This bump may disappear when you lie down. The pain of hernias may be mild or severe. These can cause a dull, aching sensation. This is often caused by a strain on the bowels, coughing, lifting heavy objects, or straining your stomach. As more tissue pushes through the tear, this discomfort can increase. Sharp, intense pain can result from hernias that get worse quickly.
Sometimes, small hernias are not noticeable and can cause discomfort or pain. A hernia can sometimes be invisible, but it may not show symptoms.
How are Hernias treated?
It is believed that resting and limiting your activities can heal a hernia. Surgery is the only option to fix a hernia.
Neglecting to treat a hernia could have severe consequences. Talk to your doctor about the best course. Dr. Wanko Moumiadded says Surgery is the best treatment for a hernia.
He said that even if your hernia doesn’t bother you or gets more significant, there is a risk of it growing and causing blockages in the intestines. This will make it more challenging to treat in the future.
Open Surgery, minimally invasive robotic-assisted, and laparoscopic hernia repairs are possible. An available procedure involves making an incision to fix the hernia with sutures or mesh.
Robotic Surgery has made it a viable option for many patients, particularly those who were once not considered good candidates based on age or overall health.
Dr. Wanko Moboumi stated that traditional hernia surgery required a large incision and a long recovery. “Robotic and laparoscopic surgery allows patients to recover much faster.” Patients usually leave the hospital in a matter of days instead of five to six days for an open repair for large hernias.
This Surgery involves either suturing or inserting a mesh to strengthen the area. This robotic and laparoscopic procedure is straightforward and only requires a few incisions. Patients can stay overnight in the hospital or return home that day. Patients can usually return to their routines after a few weeks of “taking it easy.”
Dr. Wanko Mboumi stated that the surgeons at our practice have over 100 years of combined experience in the repair of hernias. Each patient is evaluated individually to determine which type of repair, open, laparoscopic, or robotic, would be most beneficial. We can offer a surgical option if another doctor tells you your hernia cannot be repaired.
Can You Prevent Hernias?
There are some precautions that you can take to help prevent hernias.
Take care when lifting heavy objects. Do not lift anything too serious to be lifted by one person.
Stop smoking. Smokers can have a persistent and violent cough leading to a hernia.
Exercise. Regular exercise is an excellent way to protect your muscles from injury. Strong muscles are less likely than weak ones.
Keep your weight under control. Being overweight can strain your body and cause a dangerously stretched peritoneum or abdominal lining.
Consume lots of fiber. Regular bowel movements can prevent straining.
Avoid straining your muscles. Football players, weight lifters, and golfers often strain the muscles that are prone to hernia. Make sure you warm up before engaging in such activities and look out for the bulge.
