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Are you having an abdominal lump? Could that be a hernia? Well, hernias are more common than you think. But what exactly is a hernia? Observed as national hernia awareness month, this June, we will take you through all the important information that you need to know about hernia and how to spot one. A hernia occurs when there is a weak spot in the muscle and the organ that it is holding is protruding. Hernias usually occur in the abdomen, upper thigh and groin areas. Different types of hernias are classified according to their location. It can be a very painful condition. Though hernias are not life-threatening, they need surgery to prevent complications.
Causes
Hernias are caused when there is a weakness or hole in the muscles that keep organs in their place. There are a variety of reasons why hernias occur.
A birth defect that developed during development in the womb
Ageing
Damage from an injury or surgery
Chronic coughing
Strenuous exercise or lifting heavy-weights
Pregnancy, especially multiple pregnancies
Chronic constipation
Having a family history of hernias can put you at the risk of developing one
Symptoms
Bulge and swelling: Different types of hernias have different symptoms. However, the most common symptom is a bulge or lump in the affected area. For instance, if you have an abdominal hernia, you may feel a bulge or swelling from any area of the abdomen. The lump can be felt when you touch the affected area while standing up or bending down.
Pain: You are likely to experience discomfort and pain in the area where there is a lump.
Specific symptoms: As there are different types of hernias, some may have specific symptoms. Those who have a hiatal hernia, that affects the upper stomach area, may experience heartburn, acid reflux, trouble swallowing, and chest pain.
Treatment:
Surgery is an effective way to treat a hernia. The need for surgery depends on the size of the hernia and the symptoms.
Open surgery: For open hernia repair surgery, the surgeon will make a long incision in the affected area and push the bulge back into its place. Open hernia surgery can be done under general, spinal, or local anaesthesia.
Laparoscopic surgery: Laparoscopic surgery is one of the most preferred treatment options for hernias. Surgery is guided by a small camera and the incision made is very small. The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. Not only does this ensure less scarring, but this also is unlikely to cause complications like an infection after the surgery. As the incisions made are small, the recovery is very fast.
We, at Neotia Getwel Healthcare Centre, perform a wide range of surgeries with modern equipment and advanced techniques. As a leading laparoscopic hospital in Siliguri, we have some of the experienced surgeons on board who can perform laparoscopic hernia surgery.
