A hernia is a relatively common condition where one of your organs pushes through a weakness in the tissue or muscle that contains it. Most hernias are caused by one of your abdominal organs pushing through your abdominal walls.
What are the Different Types of Hernias?
A hernia is most commonly found in your groin with a protrusion through your lower abdominal wall, in your lower chest through your diaphragm, or along the front of your abdomen. They can also occur through a former abdominal surgery incision.
- Inguinal hernia – Accounting for 75% of all hernias, these are by far the most common type of hernias. Normally affecting men, these occur when part of your bowel enters into the passageway that runs down your inner thigh, known as the inguinal canal.
- Femoral hernia – Like the inguinal hernia, the femoral hernia runs through the groin in the femoral canal which lies under the inguinal canal.
- Hiatal hernia – This occurs when the opening of your diaphragm widens, allowing the stomach to push through the opening.
- Perineal hernia – While relatively rare, this type of hernia occurs when there is an opening in your pelvic floor, and organs or tissue are able to push through into the abdominal cavity. It is usually caused by injuries, pregnancy, and major pelvic surgery.
- Ventral hernia – This is an umbrella term for hernias that occur along the vertical midline of the abdomen such as umbilical hernias and many incisional hernias.
- Incisional hernia – A common side effect after abdominal surgery, this type of hernia occurs at the location of a previous incision that has weakened over time.
- Umbilical hernia – Mostly congenital, umbilical hernias occur when part of the intestine protrudes through an opening near your belly button.
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) – This is a serious birth defect where the diaphragm isn’t strong enough to separate the abdominal cavity from the chest cavity or doesn’t close all the way in utero. The surrounding organs are then able to slide into the chest cavity and surround the lungs causing them to be underdeveloped.
What Causes a Hernia?
Since hernias are caused when an organ is able to push through a weakened area or preexisting opening, they can occur as part of the aging process due to regular wear and tear on your body. They can also occur after surgery or traumatic injury or can be a birth disorder.
Hernias are generally caused by repetitive stress to muscle or tissue which means that people who have jobs that involve heavy lifting or hours of standing, experience chronic constipation, have had a history of abdominal or pelvic surgery, or repeat pregnancies are more likely to develop hernias than other people of a similar age.
Hernias that are present at birth are more likely in children that are born prematurely, have a connective tissue disorder, or have problems in their reproductive or urinary system. You will often see hernias in children when they are crying or pooping.
What are the Symptoms of a Hernia?
Hernias can generally be detected when you see a strange bulge in your groin or abdomen that shouldn’t be there. They are often more apparent when you are straining, laughing, coughing, or lifting a heavy item. They normally come and go based on what physical activity you are doing. However, this isn’t always the case and it is important to remember that some hernias are too deep to be visible externally.
While they can cause discomforts such as pinching, pressure, or sharp pain when the hernia comes through the opening, this is not always the case, and some people with hernias experience no symptoms at all.
Are Hernias Dangerous?
Normally, most hernias do not cause major issues in adults. However, complications can occur if a hernia gets stuck and the organ is unable to return to its normal position. This will become increasingly painful over time and may also be dangerous as it can eventually lead to a lack of blood supply resulting in tissue death such as necrosis or gangrene.
These can be a bigger problem in babies as they can impact the way fetal organs develop. This type of hernia is referred to as a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and babies that are born with this condition will need intensive care.
How are Hernias Diagnosed and Treated?
Hernias are usually easy to diagnose through a physical exam. In some cases, a doctor may recommend a CT scan as well. This can help them determine how severe the hernia is and the speed at which it is likely to worsen.
With the exception of congenital umbilical hernias found in babies, most hernias will eventually need to be repaired via surgery as they do tend to get bigger over time This is a minor, outpatient procedure where the surgeon pushes the herniated tissue back into place, and then closes the opening that it came through by using stitches or surgical mesh. Depending on the severity of the hernia, your medical provider may recommend having surgery immediately or taking a more conservative approach to see if it gets worse.
Need Help?
If you suspect you may have a hernia in your abdomen, it is important to see a doctor who can confirm that you are not experiencing a more serious issue. If your hernia goes numb, changes color, or you experience vomiting, nausea, or fever, it is important to see a doctor immediately.