A hernia occurs when internal parts of a body protrude through a weakened muscle or weakened surrounding tissue walls such as the diaphragm and groin. In simple terms, it is the upward movement of the body’s organs through a hole or weakened muscle that can cause swelling and lumps around the affected area. Some of the common causes of hernia include pregnancy, smoking, damage from injury or disease, obesity, and old age. A hernia, usually, does not present any significant symptoms but at times can place a patient in a problematic situation, requiring them to seek medical intervention at the earliest. If you are a resident of Dallas or Fort Worth, Mansfield and want to get your hernia checked, it is advisable to consult a Dallas-Fort Worth, Mansfield and Plano based reputable hernia surgeon. But before that, continue reading as we take a quick peek into the different types of hernia.
Hiatal Hernia
When the upper part of the stomach bulges into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm, it is called a hiatal hernia. There is no particular cause of hiatal hernia but it may be identified as a result of a weakened diaphragm due to old age or pressure on the stomach. Hiatal hernia usually does not have any noticeable symptoms but in some cases can cause heartburn, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. In case you are experiencing any of the serious symptoms of a hiatal hernia, it is advisable to consult experienced hernia surgeons in your area.
Umbilical Hernia
An umbilical hernia is the bulging of part of the small intestine through an opening in abdominal muscles. This type of hernia is common in infants but can affect adults too. An umbilical hernia can be identified through a soft swelling and a bulge near the naval area. In babies, the umbilical hernia is usually visible when they cry, cough, or strain. An umbilical hernia is typically painless, and harmless but in some cases can lead to vomiting, pain, swelling, and discoloration at the site of the hernia. Hernia surgeons are called in to handle such cases of complications in babies or adults.
Inguinal Hernia
When the part of the tissue lining the abdominal cavity bulges through a weak opening in the abdomen it is called an inguinal hernia. This type of hernia can cause pain while coughing, bending, or lifting heavy objects, burning or aching sensation, weakness and or pressure in the groin, a bulge in the areas around the pubic bone, and several other symptoms. Inguinal hernia can be dangerous and requires surgery for fixing. A hernia specialist can fix an inguinal hernia by pushing the bulging tissue back and strengthening the weakened abdominal muscles with minimal invasion. Consult the surgeon at the earliest for hernia repair.
Femoral Hernia
A femoral Hernia takes place when a fatty membrane or part of the small intestine pushes through the wall of the femoral canal. It appears as a bulge near the groin or thighs. Femoral hernias are most common in women and are caused because of heavy strain on the stomach or aging. Treatment for femoral hernia is suggested right away by hernia surgeons because it can lead to serious health conditions such as strangulation and obstructions.
Incisional Hernia
An incisional hernia is experienced post-abdominal surgery. This happens when patients start doing excess physical activity, become pregnant, gain a considerable amount of weight, and strain the abdominal area post abdominal surgery without being fully recovered. An incisional hernia can take place within 3 to 6 months after surgery. In such a scenario, it is advisable to inform the consulting surgeons immediately on experiencing any symptoms.
Epigastric Hernia
Epigastric hernia causes a lump in the midline between the belly button and sternum. This type of hernia does not present any significant symptoms but causes pain around the epigastric region. The bulge is visible while coughing, sneezing, or laughing. Although epigastric hernia is not life-threatening, surgery is recommended to prevent long-term complications because of the enlargement of the bump.
Diaphragmatic Hernia
A diaphragmatic hernia is a congenital anomaly where there is a hole in the diaphragm that allows abdominal parts such as the intestines, lungs, and stomach to move upward into the chest. In babies, it restricts the complete development of the lungs and causes breathing difficulties. Diaphragmatic hernia requires surgery to fix the hole and keep the abdominal parts in their place. Nowadays leading hernia surgeons in Dallas, Plano and many other cities of the US provide minimally invasive procedures for treatment.
Conclusion
Apart from the above-discussed types, there are other types of hernia as well including muscle hernia and spigelian hernia. Patients with hernias may not always require surgery. It depends on the severity of the symptoms and the complications involved. This is why it is highly advisable to consult with a leading hernia surgeon nearby. Residents of Dallas, Fort Worth, Mansfield and Plano for instance, with serious symptoms of any type of hernia must consult an expert hernia surgeon in Fort Worth, Plano and Mansfield for better advice and treatment. On-time treatment of hernia can protect the patient from experiencing serious complications later on.
