What are different types of hernia and their effective treatments?

Heria is a medical condition in which fat, tissue, or part of internal organs pushes through a weak spot or hole in the abdominal muscles or connective tissue. Hernia can be slightly bothersome to life-threatening depending on different types of hernia and the severity of this medical condition. Moreover, in adults, hernias are most common in the abdominal and groin region. Patients with a hernia may feel or see a bulge in these areas. The patients may also feel the pain that becomes worse during certain activities, such as lifting or standing for a long time.

The patients may suddenly develop a hernia after a cough, bending, laughing, and lifting heavy items or weights. Alternatively, it may occur over weeks or months. Furthermore, most types of hernias are external, which means the tissue pushes through the wall of the abdomen towards the outside of the body. This creates a visible bulge. But sometimes, a hernia can be internal, which means it remains within the abdomen.

Symptoms of hernia

Patients may not have any symptoms, depending on the type of hernia they have.

Common symptoms of hernia include:

·         A lump that can be pushed back in or disappear on lying down.

·         In men, swelling or bulge in the groin or scrotum

·         Pain on lifting something

·         A lump that increases in size with time

·         Sense of feeling full

·         Pressure, a cough, heartburn, or swallowing

·         Severe hernia symptoms include pain, vomiting and constipation.

Hernias may cause infection or blockage in the organs or tissues.

Causes of hernia

Different types of hernias can have different causes. Generally, a hernia starts with pressure on an organ or intestine. A hernia occurs when the pressure affects the area with weak muscles and tissues. Some individuals are born with weak muscles and tissues that are not fully developed. However, some people get hernia when they age, and their muscles weaken.

Moreover, some movements and habits can cause a hernia or worsen the existing one. Such as,

·         Lifting heavy objects

·         Overworking the same muscles

·         Put a strain on muscles during sneezing, diarrhoea, constipation or coughing.

·         Being obese or having poor nutrition

Types of hernia

There are different types of hernias. Such as:

·         Groin hernia

Three out of four hernias are in the groin area. There are two types of groin hernia: inguinal and femoral

·         Inguinal hernia

Almost all of the groin hernias are inguinal. People usually get them when part of their intestine pushes through a weak area in the lower belly and, as a result, affects the area of the groin known as the inguinal canal. With an inguinal hernia, patients may see a bulge where the thigh and groin come together. This type of hernia seems to go away on lying but appears again when patients cough, stand or strain themselves. Surgeons recommend inguinal hernia surgery for the treatment of this condition.

Generally, these hernias are not dangerous. The healthcare provider may consider watchful waiting and carefully monitoring the hernia.

·         Femoral hernia

This type of hernia occurs only in a few patients out of every 100. Femoral hernia is more common in older women and is often mistaken for inguinal hernias.

Femoral hernias appear as a lump in a different area of the groin, known as a femoral canal. Patients with this type of hernia can see a bulge around the crease of the groin or into the upper thigh. Healthcare providers usually recommend surgery for a femoral hernia instead of watchful waiting because femoral hernias will likely get stuck without reducibility.

·         Umbilical hernia

This type of hernia is the second most common type of hernia. It develops when fat or part of the intestine pushes through the abdominal muscles near the belly button. An umbilical hernia is common in newborns, especially those born prematurely under six months old. But it may also develop in adults.

Women are more likely to get an umbilical hernia than men. Moreover, the chances of developing an umbilical hernia increase if the patient:

·         Are overweight

·         Have been pregnant more than once

·         Have a lot of belly fluid

·         Have persistent cough

·         Experience trouble peeing

·         Vomit repeatedly

·         Have constipation for a long time

All the above risk factors increase the pressure in the abdominal area that pushes the hernia out.

·         Hiatal hernia

This hernia develops when a part of the stomach pushes an opening in the diaphragm into the chest cavity. Primary symptoms of hiatal hernia include indigestion, heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and chest pain.

·         Incisional hernia

An incisional hernia develops when tissue pushes through a scar from an abdominal or pelvic surgery.

·         Epigastric hernia

An epigastric hernia occurs when fat pushes through the belly between the belly button and the lower part of the breastbone. This hernia occurs more in men than women.

·         Giant abdominal wall hernia

People get this type of hernia if they have an incisional hernia or some other kind that is difficult to treat and keeps coming back.

·         Spigelian hernia

A Spigelian hernia develops when fat tissues push through muscles below the belly button along the bottom edge of where the six-pack grows.

Treatment options for hernia

1.     Surgical options

There are two types of a hernia operation.

·    Open surgery

Surgeons may use hernia mash for extra support. In open hernia surgery, surgeons make a cut into the body at the hernia site and push back the protruding tissue in place. And stitch back the muscle wall.

· Laparoscopic surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is similar to open surgery, but instead of making a cut on the outside of the abdomen or groin, surgeons make small incisions and insert surgical tools through them to complete the procedure. Laparoscopic abdominal hernia repair is an advanced and effective treatment of hernia.

2. Watchful waiting

In some cases, healthcare providers may advise watchful waiting instead of surgery if the hernia is small or the patient has no symptoms. Healthcare providers may also advise watchful waiting when the case is severe and has more chances of complications from the surgery. With watchful waiting, the healthcare providers examine the patients once a year or if the symptoms get worse.

3. Medication option

In case of a hiatal hernia that causes heartburn and acid reflux, the healthcare provider may recommend medications such as antacids, H2-receptor blockers, or proton pump inhibitors.

Hernia surgery at ALSA Pakistan

At ALSA Pakistan we have the best surgeons for abdominal hernia repair. Our American qualified bariatric surgeon Dr Tahir Yunus treats different types of hernia by using advanced laparoscopic techniques. Hernia surgery cost in Pakistan ranges from 25,000 PKR to 90,000 PKR depending on the severity of the condition and expertise of the surgeons. And inguinal hernia surgery cost in Pakistan ranges from 100,000 PKR to 250,000 PKR. Hernia mesh price in Pakistan depends on the doctor and material used to make it.

According to studies

Ref:  https://dailybusinesspost.com/what-are-different-types-of-hernia-and-their-effective-treatments/