Hernia Treatment: Is surgery necessary?

Overview

The hernia is a medical condition wherein an internal organ bulges through its natural tissue or muscle wall into another organ. The majority of the hernia cases are seen in the hips, chest, and abdominal cavity area. There are different forms of hernia like inguinal hernia, femoral hernia, umbilical hernia, and hiatus hernia. Inguinal hernia causes when a part of the intestine enters into the inguinal canal.

Men are more vulnerable to this type of hernia as compared to women. A femoral hernia is a condition in which the fatty tissues of the intestine swell in the groin area. When a part of the intestine pushes into the navel area is referred to as an umbilical hernia. And when the tissues of the stomach protrude into the chest cavity through the diaphragm, it leads to hiatus hernia.

Symptoms of Hernia

Generally, a hernia in the groin or abdomen area creates a significant bulge or lump that will disappear on lying down. However, any sort of physical activity, laughing, coughing, crying, or straining can make it reappear. Here are some common symptoms of this condition:

• The noticeable bulge in the scrotum or groin
• Mild to severe pain while lifting heavy objects
• Increased pain on the bulge
• Constant aching sensation
• Growth in the size of the bulge
• Constantly feeling full

Hiatal hernias don’t lead to external bulges. On the contrary, its symptoms may include indigestion, heartburn, chest pain, difficulty in swallowing, and frequent regurgitation.

Is Surgery Necessary?

Unfortunately, hernias don’t go away on their own and surgery is the only method to treat them completely. Your doctor will suggest some lifestyle changes to control the symptoms of a hernia and might refer you to a surgeon. Hernia surgeries are of three types:

1. Open Surgery – This is the most complicated of all the hernia surgeries. The surgeon will first make a cut at the location of the hernia. The swelling tissues are kept back in their respective organ and the tissue wall is stitched back. In some cases, a mesh is also implanted to give extra support to the organ.
2. Laparoscopic Surgery – This is also performed to repair the hernia. Small cuts are made to let the surgical tool inside the body and complete the surgical procedure.
3. Robotic Hernia Repair – This is quite similar to the laparoscopic surgery. The only difference is that the surgeon will be seated in the operating room and will perform the procedure through a console. This option is used to reconstruct the walls and repair small hernias.

It’s to be noted that every surgery comes with its set of advantages and disadvantages. The surgeon will decide the best hernia treatment option for you.

Can you Prevent Hernia?

Fortunately, yes! Some essential lifestyle modifications can help you in preventing this condition.

• You should attain a healthy body weight by regularly exercising and maintaining a healthy diet
• Make sure you include a lot of fresh fruits, fiber, and vegetables in your regular diet to avoid constipation
• You should also avoid lifting heavy objects. In case, you need to lift something heavy, maintain a good posture while doing so
• Smoking can lead to constant coughing and hernia
• If you are suffering from persistent sneezing and coughing, you should immediately consult a doctor.

If you or any of your loved ones are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, connect with an experienced doctor instantly. Timely consultation can help in reducing the pain and suffering of the patient.