Hernias occur when part of your body, such as an organ or fatty tissue, squeezes through a weak area of connective tissue, causing a protrusion just beneath the skin. They can affect men, women and children, and they can occur at any age. If you have a hernia or a noticeable bulge in your abdominal area that you think may be a hernia, you should talk to your doctor right away. Many people live with hernias for a long time because they’re not aware that they can be corrected with surgery. If left untreated, they can cause serious complications, including severe pain, that impact your quality of life. They can even be life-threatening.
READ PATIENT STORY: Find relief for hernia pain, just like Mary Did.
What are the Symptoms of a Hernia?
Hernias affect people in different ways. The most common sign is a noticeable bulge in the abdominal area. It may only be visible when you strain, lift something heavy, bend over, or even when you laugh. A hernia may be accompanied by pain and discomfort, but they don’t always hurt. The bulge may get bigger over time, and the pain may intensify, especially after standing for long periods of time or straining your abdominal muscles.
What are the Types of Hernia?
- Hiatal hernias occur when the upper part of your stomach bulges into your chest through an opening in the diaphragm, which can lead to a digestive disorder called GERD — commonly known as reflux or heartburn. It’s not often known what causes hiatal hernias, but your risk increases with age. They are common in people over 50.
- Inguinal hernias occur in the groin when a piece of fat or a part of your intestine protrudes into the inguinal canal portion of the groin. They are the most common type of hernia, and they are more prevalent in men. Chronic coughing due to smoking, or straining on constipated stools or on urine because of prostate problems, can increase your risk for this type of hernia.
- Femoral hernias are similar to inguinal hernias, but they occur in a different part of the groin near the upper thigh or labia. They are not very common, but women are more likely to get them. They can be dangerous so let your doctor know right away if you notice a bulge near your groin.
- Umbilical hernias are protrusions that occur through the area around the belly button. They are more common in infants and are usually painless. Umbilical hernias typically get better on their own in infancy, but in adulthood, they tend to grow. At this point, surgery is sometimes needed and in some cases may be an emergency.
- Ventral hernias occur in an incision area where you had a surgical procedure. They are fairly common for people who have had abdominal surgery.
What Happens If You Leave Your Hernia Untreated?
Untreated hernias can seriously impact your quality of life. As the hernia grows, it can cause you to experience pain and discomfort and lead to other health problems. Oftentimes, people with a hernia do not have it properly treated. They may believe that their hernia is too small or too large to repair, or their hernia may have recurred following a previous attempt to treat it. You shouldn’t have to suffer with a hernia. New treatment options are available that are capable of treating even the most complex hernias. Surgeons are using advanced techniques like synthetic mesh supports that see very high success rates and low chance of recurrence. So don’t hesitate to see your doctor if you have a hernia or if you notice any bulges in your abdominal area.
How are Hernias Treated?
To treat a hernia, surgeons perform surgery. Most hernia procedures are done on an outpatient basis, so you get to return home the same day of the surgery. Recovery time varies depending on the size of your hernia and other factors like your age and health. There are different types of surgery for hernias. One type, called an open hernia repair, involves making an incision in your groin, moving the protruding organ back into place, and reinforcing the abdominal wall with stitches and mesh. Your doctor may recommend a less-invasive surgery, called laparoscopic surgery, in which the surgeon makes smaller incisions and uses tiny instruments and cameras to repair the hernia. The recovery time for this procedure is usually shorter. For large, complex hernias, your doctor may recommend an abdominal wall reconstruction. In this procedure, general surgeons and plastic surgeons work together to close the hernia and remove any excess skin and repair the area.
Holy Cross Health presents the information in this blog as a resource for our community. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice or to endorse any particular entity or service. Personal health problems should be brought to the attention of the appropriate health professionals.