A hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. It is a surgical procedure done for those suffering from a hernia.
A hernia is a medical condition which may be present at birth or may develop over time as a result of weakness within the muscular wall. It occurs when a fatty tissue or organ squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding connective tissue or muscle.
Types of Hernia
Hernia can affect any part of the body but the most common ones happen in the umbilical (belly button), femoral (outer groin), inguinal (inner groin), and hiatal (upper stomach) areas.
Umbilical Hernia
Common in newborns, umbilical hernia happens when part of the small intestine passes through a weak spot near the navel area. Aside from newborns, this also commonly happens to obese individuals and to women who have had multiple children.
Femoral Hernia
Femoral hernia is the most common type of hernia in women. It happens when the intestine gets into the canal that carries the femoral artery into the upper part of the thigh.
Inguinal Hernia
This type of hernia accounts for 96% of hernia cases that occur in the groin area. This happens when the intestine or the bladder protrudes either in the abdominal wall or in the inguinal canal (found in the groin area).
Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal hernia happens when the upper part of the stomach squeezes into an opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus. It is through this opening that the esophagus passes.
Cause
Most hernias develop as a result of pressure and muscle or fascia weakness. The muscle weakness may be present at birth or may develop later in life as a result of lifestyle. This can happen when one is constantly lifting heavy objects, having diarrhea or constipation, or coughing or sneezing.
Treating and Preventing Hernia
The only way to prevent a hernia is to reduce the factors that can contribute to its development. These include obesity, smoking, and constipation. This can be done by making lifestyle changes that may include eating healthy, participating in regular physical activity, and quitting smoking.
Although lifestyle changes and some medicine can alleviate the symptoms of hernia, neither can treat or get rid of it. Surgery is the way to go if one wants to have their hernia repaired. It is often recommended if the patient is experiencing considerable pain and discomfort from their hernia.
Hernia repair can be done either through an open or laparoscopic surgery. Because laparoscopic surgery only involves making small skin incisions, recovery from this procedure is faster than traditional or open surgery.
If you’re suffering from a painful hernia that is affecting your day-to-day life, it may be time to speak with a surgeon about hernia repair surgery. Premier Surgical’s Hernia Center in Knoxville can provide you with options that are most suitable for your condition.