A focused study on patients with stomach problems in India has proved that Indians are more prone to hernia than any other country’s population. This is because Indians are genetically born with lower muscle mass. However, considering this fact, we know very little about hernia or about how to detect or treat it. 

What is a Hernia?

The body cavity is the large space which holds all the organs like abdomen, lungs, liver, etc. individually covered with membrane walls while the rest of the cavity is filled with liquids.

Now, when an organ outgrows through a weak spot and bulges out of its original shape, the outgrown part is termed as ‘hernia’ which is tightly enclosed by the wall membrane.

In most cases, this condition occurs in the abdomen where the abdominal tissues or the fatty tissues bulge out, causing severe pain.

Causes of Hernia

Most of the causes of hernia include factors that create high pressure on the body’s cavity, such as:

• Heavy weight lifting
• Constant coughing
• Obesity
• Extreme straining during pooping or urinating
• Abnormal fluids in the abdominal cavity.
• Congenital weakness of muscles and age-related deficiencies contribute to hernias
• As the muscles weaken with age, any person above the age of 70 is highly prone to the hernia, making longevity one of the causes.
• Smoking also weakens the muscles leading to hernial growth.
• A genetical history of hernia also puts you at higher risks of facing the same problems.

Hernia Symptoms

• A noticeable lump over the groin or other parts of the stomach which is not painful
• A painful lump over the groin or other parts of the stomach which is swollen and tender. 
• Pain or discomfort in the affected area when bending over, coughing, or lifting objects.
• Prolonged pain in the stomach even when no lump is present
• Trouble in bowel movements causing nausea and vomiting. 

Hernia Types

There are four types of hernia which are the most common:

Inguinal hernia:

• This type of hernia occurs when a portion of the intestine pushes through a weak spot of the abdomen or tear in the lower abdominal wall causing an outgrowth, often in the inguinal canal.
• Inguinal hernias are more common in men than in women.

Hiatal Hernia

• When a part of the stomach grows upwards through the diaphragm that helps us breathe and into your chest cavity, it causes a hiatal hernia.
• This type of hernia is most common in people who are over the age of 50 and in children who have a congenital disability.

Umbilical Hernia

• It mostly occurs in kids under the age of 6 months, where a noticeable lump grows out near their bellybutton.
• This is also known to disappear naturally as the child grows around a year old.

Incisional Hernia

• This type of hernia is caused as a side effect of abdominal surgery. 
• As the tissues around the incision scars weaken after the surgery, the abdominal tissues easily grow out through the abdomen wall.

Treatment of Hernia

Hernias can be fixed with either open or laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic Surgery:

• In laparoscopic surgery, miniaturized equipment is used to make minimally invasive incisions around the affected area, and a tiny camera is passed inside to monitor the operation visually. 
• This surgery causes minimum damage to the peripheral tissues and the risks of the hernia reoccurring after the surgery are quite low.

Open Surgery:

• This is an invasive surgery where the hernia is fixed by sealing the hole in the abdominal wall, which was created by the hernia.
• You may have to avoid moving around for around six weeks after the surgery.

If you’re looking for a hernia doctor in Pune, then you won’t have to go any further than the Pune’s renowned Deccan Clinic. It is one of the most recommended clinics where the top hernia specialist in Pune performs all types of hernia surgeries. Visit the Deccan Clinic Website to learn more.