Learn about Six Types of Hernia” and delve deep into the world of medical conditions that affect many worldwide. Hernias, though common, are often misunderstood.
In this guide, we’ll shed light on the six prevalent types, helping you understand their causes, symptoms, and the importance of timely intervention. Whether you’re a patient seeking clarity or just curious, this comprehensive overview is tailored for you.
A hernia happens when a small piece of tissue swells through a territory of the body — generally a weak point in an individual’s stomach wall. A few hernias may not cause many symptoms. Others can be health-related crises.
Here we’ll examine various regions in the body where hernias can happen, in addition to directing you to more inside-out articles about every hernia type.
Read more on the most common hernia types that happen in the body:
Epigastric hernia
An epigastric hernia is one that happens in the epigastric area of the abdomen, which is situated over the belly button and beneath the ribcage.
If an epigastric hernia occurs in your body, you might have the option to feel it when there is pressure on the abdominal wall, for example, when you cough, laugh, or weigh down to have a bowel movement. You will also experience pain or tenderness around where the hernia is located.
Femoral hernia
A femoral hernia happens when tissue pushes through a weak point in the crotch or inward thigh. The hernia may feel like a small to medium-sized bulge in the crotch.
An expected 2 to 4 percent of all hernias that happen in the crotch are femoral ones. Women experience femoral hernias more regularly than men.
A femoral hernia can be a reason for worry because the femoral artery and vein are close by. It’s conceivable that the hernia could influence these veins and block the bloodstream to and from the leg. Due to this, doctors quite often attempt to address a femoral hernia with a surgical procedure.
Hiatal hernia
A hiatal hernia is a condition that happens when an individual’s stomach swells through a frail point in the diaphragm, a muscle that isolates the lungs from the abdominal organs.
If you have a hiatal hernia, you’re bound to have issues with acid reflux.
A few people are born with a hiatal hernia, while others form one as they age.
Hiatal hernias are distinguished into types, from type I to type IV, depending on where they are found.
An expected 95 percent of hiatal hernias are type I: With these hernias, the stomach stays in position, yet the area where the throat meets the stomach slides over the diaphragm.
Learn more about hiatal hernia.
Incisional hernia
An incisional hernia can happen after an individual has stomach surgery, which normally includes a cut down the center of the stomach. If the surgical incisions don’t heal properly, that individual can be more vulnerable to building up a hernia.
A few surgeons may utilize the terms “ventral hernia” and “incisional hernia,” conversely. A ventral hernia alludes to any type of hernia that happens along the midline of the stomach. In any case, not all ventral hernias are incisional hernias.
Read more about ventral hernias causes and treatment.
Inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia happens when a segment of the intestine system or a fat lumps passes through the lower abdominal wall. The bulge generally experiences the inguinal channel, which is situated in the crotch area.
An inguinal hernia can contain a segment of the small intestine in certain individuals and even parts of the female reproductive organs in certain women.
According to Southlake General Surgery, Texas, inguinal hernias mainly happen on the right side. Additionally, they’re substantially more common in men: An expected 27 percent of men and just 3 percent of women will develop an inguinal hernia during their lives.
Occasionally, it’s hard to differentiate between a femoral and an inguinal hernia. In men, an inguinal hernia can cause a lump in the crotch and, additionally in the scrotum.
Learn more about inguinal hernia and repair.
Umbilical hernia
When tissues in the body swell through a region of weakness in the belly button region (umbilicus), this condition is known as Umbilical hernia. As indicated by Dr. Simone MD from Southlake General Surgery, an expected 10% of all hernias in the abdomen are umbilical hernias.
The umbilical hernia has a noticeable lump in or around the belly button that is normally more awful when you cough or strain during bowel movements.
Learn more about repair surgery for umbilical hernias.
Treatment for hernias at Southlake General Surgery, Texas.
Hernias can be risky since they can get strangulated or incarcerated.
An incarcerated hernia happens when bulging tissue can’t be pushed once again into the right spot, putting steady weight or uneasiness on an individual’s body.
A strangulated hernia is a medical emergency condition since the area protruding through it loses blood supply.
Hernias don’t normally disappear all alone, and if they progress to a strangulated hernia, it is a medical emergency.
Thus, a few doctors will suggest surgery as a remedy for an observable hernia in an attempt to shield it from deteriorating or causing a medical emergency.
Otherwise, they may prescribe viewing the hernia to ensure it can generally fit back through the abdominal wall.
If an individual has a known hernia and develops the accompanying symptoms, they should seek immediate medical attention.
Request an Appointment with Southlake General Surgery
Symptoms that need medical attention
Look for immediate medical assistance if you have a hernia and encounter the accompanying symptoms:
- fever
- issues passing gas
- constipation
- sudden and extreme pain at the hernia location
- vomiting
- nausea
Prevention of Hernia
The vast majority can’t prevent a hernia. They happen because of a mix of hereditary and medical histories. But there are a couple of things you can attempt to prevent a hernia:
- Keep a healthy body weight, which places less pressure on the abdominal wall.
- Quit smoking.
- Avoid lifting heavy weights since it puts excess stress on the abdominal wall.
- Avoid stressing when passing stools. A high-fiber diet and plenty of water can help make stools easier to pass.
Viewpoint
Hernia types can shift by area and symptom. If you recognize a hernia, consult with your doctor. They may refer you to a surgeon to examine the hernia.
In case your doctor doesn’t suggest surgery, they will tell you what symptoms require surgery so you can keep an eye out for them.
Appointment
Learn about Six types of Hernia and more, or schedule an appointment with Dr. Valeria Simone, MD, at Southlake General Surgery, Texas, USA.
Please contact our healthcare expert for a quick appointment at +1(817)748-0200.