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Hernia

By: David Freeman Home | Health-and-Fitness


Hernia
What is a Hernia?
A hernia occurs when the contents of a body cavity bulge out of the area where they are normally contained. These contents, usually portions of intestine or abdominal fatty tissue, are enclosed in the thin membrane that naturally lines the inside of the cavity. Although the term hernia can be used for bulges in other areas, it most often is used to describe hernias of the lower torso (abdominal-wall hernias). Various organs may be involved, including the bladder, brain, esophagus, intestine, ovary, and rectum. The most common location for a hernial bulge to appear is the abdominal wall, particularly the groin. Most hernias occur in the abdomen.
There are several types of hernias, including


  • Inguinal, the most common type, is in the groin

  • Umbilical, around the belly button

  • Incisional, through a scar

  • Hiatal, a small opening in the diaphragm that allows the upper part of the stomach to move up into the chest.

  • Congenital diaphragmatic, a birth defect that needs surgery


Hernias are common; they can affect men, women and children. A combination of muscle weakness and straining, such as with heavy lifting, might contribute. Some people are born with weak abdominal muscles and may be more likely to get a hernia. The usual treatment for a hernia is surgery to repair the opening in the muscle wall. Untreated hernias can cause pain and health problems.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of a hernia can range from noticing a painless lump to the painful, tender, swollen protrusion of tissue that you are unable to push back into the abdomen (an incarcerated strangulated hernia).
·         Reducible hernia


    • It may appear as a new lump in the groin or other abdominal area.

    • It may ache but is not tender when touched.

    • Sometimes pain precedes the discovery of the lump.

    • The lump increases in size when standing or when abdominal pressure is increased (such as coughing).

    • It may be reduced (pushed back into the abdomen) unless very large.


  • Irreducible hernia


    • It may be an occasionally painful enlargement of a previously reducible hernia that cannot be returned into the abdominal cavity on its own or when you push it.

    • Some may be chronic (occur over a long term) without pain.

    • An irreducible hernia is also known as an incarcerated hernia.

    • It can lead to strangulation.

    • Signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction may occur, such as nausea and vomiting.


  • Strangulated hernia


    • This is an irreducible hernia in which the entrapped intestine has its blood supply cut off.

    • Pain is always present, followed quickly by tenderness and sometimes symptoms of bowel obstruction (nausea and vomiting).

    • The affected person may appear ill with or without fever.

    • This condition is a surgical emergency.



Causes
Although abdominal hernias can be present at birth, others develop later in life. Some involve pathways formed during fetal development, existing openings in the abdominal cavity, or areas of abdominal-wall weakness. Any condition that increases the pressure of the abdominal cavity may contribute to the formation or worsening of a hernia.
 Examples include:

  • Obesity

  • Heavy lifting

  • Coughing

  • Straining during a bowel movement or urination,

  • Chronic lung disease, and

  • Fluid in the abdominal cavity.


Also, if muscles are weakened due to poor nutrition, smoking, and overexertion, hernias are more likely to occur.
Western medicine treatment
Treatment of a hernia depends on whether it is reducible or irreducible and possibly strangulated. Surgery is the only treatment that can permanently fix a hernia.
Reducible hernia
In general, all hernias should be repaired to avoid the possibility of future intestinal strangulation. If there is a preexisting medical conditions that would make surgery unsafe, the doctor may not repair the hernia but will watch it closely. Rarely, the doctor may advise against surgery because of the special condition of the hernia. Some hernias have or develop very large openings in the abdominal wall, and closing the opening is complicated because of their large size. These kinds of hernias may be treated without surgery, perhaps using abdominal binders. Some doctors feel that the hernias with large openings have a very low risk of strangulation. The treatment of every hernia is individualized, and a discussion of the risks and benefits of surgical versus nonsurgical management needs to take place between the doctor and patient.

 
Irreducible hernia
All acutely irreducible hernias need emergency treatment because of the risk of strangulation. An attempt to reduce (push back) the hernia will generally be made, often with medicine for pain and muscle relaxation. If unsuccessful, emergency surgery is needed. If successful, however, treatment depends on the length of the time that the hernia was irreducible. If the intestinal contents of the hernia had the blood supply cut off, the development of dead (gangrenous) bowel is possible in as little as six hours. In cases where the hernia has been strangulated for an extended time, surgery is performed to check whether the intestinal tissue has died and to repair the hernia. In cases where the length of time that the hernia was irreducible was short and gangrenous bowel is not suspected, you may be discharged. Because a hernia that was irreducible and is reduced has a dramatically increased risk of doing so again, you should therefore have surgical correction sooner rather than later. Occasionally, the long-term irreducible hernia is not a surgical emergency. These hernias, having passed the test of time without signs of strangulation, may be repaired electively.
 
Alternative Medicine

Alternative Medicine: There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area. If you want a recommendation of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your local area, please use Wei Laboratories’ free referral service by calling toll-free at 1-888-919-1188, or e-mail to wei@weilab.com. For more information, please visit Wei Laboratories’ web site at
www.weilab.com.




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About the Author:
There has been significant progress using alternative medicine in this area. If you want a recommendation of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your local area, please use Wei Laboratories’ free referral service by calling toll-free at 1-888-919-1188, or e-mail to wei@weilab.com. For more information, please visit Wei Laboratories’ web site at www.weilab.com

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