Hernia refers to a piece of tissue bulging from a part of your body. It is an extremely painful condition and requires quick treatment. Anything that may cause pressure in your belly may cause hernia, such as,
- Lifting heavy objects without proper support
- Exercising or running without properly clenching your stomach muscles
- Stomach disorders like diarrhoea or constipation
- Severe coughs or sneezes
- Having a history of pelvic or abdominal surgery
- Repeat pregnancies
Hernias are more common among men. But they can also happen in women, especially in pregnancy. Regardless of the type of hernia, you may need to buy some pain-relief medication from an authentic online pharmacy in the UK, like Health2Delivery.
These are the common types of hernia you need to be mindful of,
Groin hernia
Most cases of hernia fall under this category. It occurs when a part of your intestines penetrates the lower belly through a weak area. It is an excruciating condition that is more common among males. However, it is not limited to adults. Children may be affected by this condition too. It has further two types,
- Inner groin hernia
- Outer groin hernia
In a groin hernia, you may see a bulge in the part of your lower belly where the thighs and groin come together. It may also cause a bulge directly in the scrotum in some cases. You may notice the pain and the bulge disappearing when sitting or lying down flat. But the bulge comes back when you stand up again.
Depending on the condition your doctor may adopt a wait-and-see approach. It may go away on its own without surgical intervention.
Epigastric hernia
This form of hernia occurs when fat pushes through the belly. It usually occurs in the area above the belly button and below the chest. It occurs when two sides of the muscles in your belly have a gap between them. This gap allows the fat to push through your abdomen and create a bulge. An epigastric hernia is more common among men.
You may be able to feel a slight pressure on your abdomen if you have this condition. This pressure may be more noticeable when you cough, sneeze, or have a bowel movement. You may also feel some tenderness or pain around the affected area. An epigastric hernia is usually small and rarely causes symptoms. But it may require surgery when it’s too large.
Hiatal hernia
It is also called the upper stomach hernia. A hiatal hernia occurs when your stomach protrudes through a weak point in your diaphragm. The diaphragm plays an important role in helping you breathe. It separates your lungs from the other organs in your stomach. A hiatal hernia may disrupt your breathing, and cause heartburn, and vomiting.
Doctors have yet to find the exact cause behind this kind of hernia. It is common among adult males above 50 years of age. However, it may also occur in overweight people and pregnant women. Most people need simple, non-invasive treatment and pain relief medication for this condition.
Incisional hernia
This type of hernia generally occurs after having stomach surgery in which you get an incision down the middle of your stomach. That’s why your doctors tell you to take it easy for a few days after having surgery. You need to let your surgical wound heal before doing any strenuous activity.
You may be more vulnerable to incisional hernia if your incision doesn’t heal properly. Almost a fifth of the people getting stomach surgery may experience this condition.
The risk of developing an incisional hernia may also increase with smoking, obesity, diabetes, kidney failure, and lung conditions. Taking steroids or drugs that affect your immune system may also increase the risk. Large hernias may require surgical treatment but most smaller forms only require medication.
Umbilical hernia
This form of hernia occurs when fat or a part of your intestines pushes past the abdominal muscles. The bulge usually occurs near your belly button. An umbilical hernia is more common among the newborn babies. Children under the age of 6 months or those born earlier than expected may be more vulnerable to it. However, this condition may occur in adults as well.
Adult women are more likely to get umbilical hernia than men. The risk of developing this condition increases if you are overweight or above 50 years of age. Age and obesity may cause your muscles to weaken. Longtime constipation and vomiting may also cause umbilical hernia.
Most cases of umbilical hernia are painless and do not require surgery. It may go away on its own after some time. Children usually heal when they are 5 or 6 years old. However, severe cases may require surgical treatment.
Treatment of hernia
Most cases of hernia are painful and they do not go away on their own. Doctors adopt a wait-and-see approach if the hernia is small and painless. It may fit back into your stomach area on its own. Larger hernias generally require surgery to heal. Hernias can become dangerous if left untreated for long. You must seek immediate help if,
- Your hernia appears to get larger and swollen
- You cannot push back the hernia into your stomach
- The area around the hernia becomes red
- You experience sharp pain around the affected area
- You have vomiting or fever
Last word
Hernia varies due to its location and symptoms. It is generally caused by genetic or medical conditions. That’s why it is hard to prevent. But quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and supporting your stomach when lifting weight may help prevent its occurrence. You may also need to get enough rest after surgery or pregnancy. Talk to a specialist when you feel an unnatural bulge in your stomach.
