Hernia Complications and Treatments
A hernia can happen anywhere on the body and is simply an abnormal protrusion of the organ through an abnormal opening in the wall of the cavity of the affected area. Increased pressure inside the body and a weak wall of the cavity are the causes of Hernias. The protrusion can increase in size with coughing, lifting, or going to the bathroom. The symptoms are usually relieved when lying down except in strangulated and irreducible hernias. Weaknesses in the wall of the cavity can be congenital, caused by lack of exercise, repeated pregnancies, injuries, wasting of muscle, or improper suturing during a surgery. Increased pressure inside the body can be caused by constipation, severe cough, weight lifting, or the structure of the urethra.
Places Hernias can occur
As stated before a Hernia can happen anywhere on the body but they are unlikely to occur on the chest wall and in the lower back because of the bone, strong muscle and ligament placement in those areas. A very common site for a hernia is the abdomen wall. The abdominal wall is generally weaker because of all the natural openings and because some of the muscles around that area are naturally weaker and thinner.
An Inguinal hernia protrudes through the inguinal canal which is a passage in the lower abdominal wall. This is the type of Hernia that is common in men. Generally the swelling and protruding comes only while straining and reduces when lying down. Complications can happen when portions of the intestine may come out and not go back easily.
A Femoral hernia is more common in females and happens when the abdominal contents protrude though the femoral canal which is just below the junction between the thigh and lower abdominal wall. This causes a swelling just under the skin.
The Umbilical hernia is common in the weaker part of the abdomen of children. The protrusion may swell when crying and defecating.
Incisional hernias are seen only in cavities that have been operated on. They are due to improper suturing or sepsis which causes the site to be come weak.
- An Epigastric hernia occurs in the epigastrium and is a very rare type.
- A lumbar Hernia appears on either side of the lumbar spine and is also very rare.
- Another rare type of Hernia is the Obturator hernia. Here the protrusions pass through the pelvic bone.
Complications
If the opening doesn’t allow the protrusion to easily come back in the tissues may loose circulation and death of the protruded part. An intestinal obstruction happens when the intestine gets crimped in the opening and stuff is not allowed to flow through. If part of the intestine or protrusion dies then there can be an excess of infection which leads to peritonitis.
Treatment
Initial treatment for a henrial is a hernia belt which prevents the protrusion and reduces pain. Also the constipation, cough or obstruction should be treated to reduce pain. Exercise and proper eating should also be done to make the weaker section stronger.
If these tips don’t work then surgery is an option. In a Hertniotomy procedure the protrusion is pushed back in and the hernial sac is legated and cut off. In a Herniorrhaphy procedure the same steps of a hertniotomy is performed and then the posterior wall of the cavity is repaired. A Hernioplasty is done if Herniotomy is impossible due to the size of the whole. Here the repair is done with non absorbable materials like polypropylene mesh or stainless steel mesh.
