Understanding Hernias: Types, Causes, and Symptoms
When 5-year-old Sunita complained of pain near her stomach, her mother initially thought it was due to the sweets Sunita had eaten the day before. However, as Sunita continued complaining, her mother noticed some swelling around her stomach. Concerned, she took Sunita to the doctor, where she was surprised to learn that her daughter had an umbilical hernia. Like many others, she believed hernias only occurred in men, typically at an older age.
Misinformation like this can lead to delays in treatment, which can be serious, especially in the case of a hernia. Read on to learn about the different types of hernias so you can seek the right treatment at the right time.
Types of Hernia
A hernia happens when an organ pushes through the muscle or tissue that holds it in place, usually in your belly or groin. It can look like a strange lump that comes and goes, depending on your movements or body position. Sometimes, it causes pain or discomfort, but not always. Most hernias will eventually need surgery to fix them. Let us take a look at the common types of hernia:
1. Inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernia is the most common type and makes up 75% of all hernias. It mostly affects men but can occur in women too. It happens when part of the bowel pushes into the inguinal canal, a passageway down the inner thigh.
2. Umbilical hernia
This happens when part of the intestine pushes through a defect near the belly button. Most umbilical hernias are present from birth. Most will disappear. If they do not will require surgery.
3. Femoral hernia
A less common type of groin hernia that occurs in the femoral canal, beneath the inguinal canal. Fatty tissue can poke through the area.
4. Hiatal hernia
This happens when the opening in your diaphragm (where your esophagus passes through) gets wider, allowing the top of your stomach to push into your chest and cause severe symptoms.
5. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
A serious birth defect where the diaphragm doesn’t fully close during fetal development. This allows abdominal organs to move into the chest, crowding the lungs and causing breathlessness sometimes requiring to see a surgeon.
Cause of Hernia
Take a look at some of the common causes of muscle weakness or strain that can lead to a hernia:
- A condition present from birth, due to how the body develops in the womb
- Aging
- Injury or surgery that causes damage
- Strenuous exercise or lifting heavy objects
- Chronic coughing or lung conditions like COPD
- Pregnancy, especially with multiple pregnancies
- Constipation, which causes straining during bowel movements
- Being overweight or having obesity
- Fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites).
Watch Out for these Hernia Symptoms
- The most common sign of a hernia is a bulge or lump in the affected area. For an inguinal hernia, you might notice a lump on either side of your pubic bone, where your groin and thigh meet.
- The lump may disappear when you lie down, but you can often feel it when standing, bending, or coughing. You might also feel discomfort or pain around the lump.
- Some hernias, like hiatal hernias, can cause specific symptoms such as heartburn, trouble swallowing, or chest pain.
- In many cases, hernias don’t cause any symptoms, and you might only find out about it during a routine check-up or an exam for another issue.
In conclusion
Most hernias aren’t serious right away, but they can become more dangerous over time. A hernia becomes serious when it gets trapped in the opening it pushed through and can’t go back in. This can cause pain, and in severe cases, the tissue can lose its blood supply, leading to tissue death (necrosis). Since hernias usually get worse over time, surgery is often needed to fix them.
Finding the right doctor is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment. A skilled specialist can assess your condition, recommend the best course of action, and help prevent complications before they become severe.
Authored by Dr. Patta Radhakrishna
