WHAT CAUSES ABDOMINAL HERNIA, DESCRIPTION, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

DESCRIPTION:

An abdominal hernia occurs when an organ or other piece of tissue protrude through a weakening in one of the muscle walls that enclose the abdominal cavity.

The sac that bulges through the week area may contain a piece of intestine or fatty lining of colon (omentum) if the hernia occurs in the abdominal wall or groin.

If the hernia occurs through the diaphragm, the muscles that separate the chest from the abdomen, part of the stomach may be involved.

The abdominal wall is made up of different muscle layers and tissues.

Weak spots may develop in these layers to allow contents the abdominal cavity protrude or herniated.

Most common abdominal hernias are in the groin (inguinal hernias), in the diaphragm (hiatal hernia), and the belly button (umbilicus).

Hernias may be present at birth (congenital), or they may develop at any time thereafter (acquired).

CAUSES:

A hernia may be congenital and present at birth or it may develop over time in areas of weakness within the abdominal wall.

Increasing the pressure within the abdominal cavity can cause stress at the weak points and allow parts of the abdominal cavity to protrude or herniated.

Increased pressure within the abdomen may occur in a variety of situations including chronic cough, increased fluid within the abdominal cavity (acites), peritoneal dialysis used to treat kidney failure, and tumors or masses in the abdomen.

The pressure may increase due to lifting excess weight, straining to have a bowel movement or urinate, or from trauma to the abdomen.

Pregnancy or excess abdominal weight and girth are also factors that can lead to a hernia.

SYMPTOMS:

Most people can feel a bulge where an inguinal hernia develops in the groin.

There may be a burning or sharp pain sensation in the area because of inflammation of the inguinal nerve or a full feeling in the groin with activity.

If a hernia occurs because of an event like lifting a heavy weight, a sharp or tearing pain may be felt.

PREVENTION:

While congenital hernia cannot be prevented, the risk of developing a hernia that occurs as life goes on can be minimized.

The goal is to avoid an increase in pressure within the abdomen that could stress the weak areas in the abdominal wall.

Maintain healthy weight.

Eat a healthy diet and exercise routinely to minimize the risk of constipation and straining to have a bowel movement.

Use proper lifting techniques especially when trying to lift heavy objects.

This is important to remember at work, home, and in sports.

Stop smoking to decrease recurrent coughing.

If a hernia develops seek for medical care to have it evaluated and potentially treated before it get too large or becomes incarcerated.

TREATMENT

:

Routine follow-up may be all that is needed, especially if the hernia dose not grows in size. However if the hernia dose grow or if there is concern about potential incarceration, then surgery may be recommended.

Patient who is at high risk for surgery and anesthesia may be offered a watch and wait approach.

These are the temporally approaches and potential can cause skin damage or breakdown, and infection because of rubbing and chafing.

Useless the defect is large, umbilical hernias in children tend to resolve on their own by 1 year of age.

Surgery may be considered if the hernia is still present ast large 3 or 4 or if the defect in the umbilicus is large.