What is a hernia?
The term hernia refers to the escape of an organ, or part of it, from the natural cavity that contains it through a weakened area. The most common types of hernia are:
- Inguinal hernia
- Herniated disc
- Femoral hernia
- Umbilical hernia
- Hiatal hernia
- Incisional hernia
What are the symptoms?
Swelling is the most typical sign of a hernia. They may cause pain or discomfort during normal daily activities, prolonged standing or physical exertion. Sometimes, in hernias that are still in an early stage, pain is felt while the swelling is not yet evident. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is best to consult a specialist in order not to neglect the hernia and prevent it from increasing in size and complications such as “strangulated hernia”.
Causes of hernia or why it occurs
Hernia is mainly caused by a combination of weakness and pressure in a certain muscle band: this pressure causes the organ to be pushed through the muscle opening. It can be a congenital weakness or developed over the years. Other causes that may promote weakness are excessive exertion, such as heavy lifting, diarrhea or constipation, continuous coughing, overweight or smoking.
What is the treatment?
The formation of a hernia cannot be reversed by itself or with the help of medication. To treat it a surgical operation is necessary depending on the type of hernia to be treated. The operation is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia and after the first week, the subject can return to normal daily activities.