What is a hernia?
A hernia occurs when a piece of organ tissue pushes against or protrudes through a weak spot in another organ or tissue in the body. This causes a visible lump in the abdomen that can sometimes be accompanied with pain and swelling.
Are there different types?There are tons of different types of hernias that can occur in both men and women. From the pelvic floor and abdominal wall to the diaphragm, hernias can affect many different parts of the body in different ways. To see a full breakdown of the different types of hernias, click here to view our past blog post.
What causes a hernia to occur?
Hernias form from a weakened spot in the abdominal wall. These weakened spots in the tissue may be present at birth, but can also be formed over time due to aging, injury, surgical and medical procedures, family history, pregnancy, obesity and any type of activity or exercise that causes strain on the body.
How do I know if I have a hernia?
Some experience no physical symptoms except for a lump in the groin or abdomen, while others will feel pain or pressure when bending, coughing or sneezing. Hernias can also be accompanied by a heavy feeling in the groin or abdomen, pain when lifting heavy objects or while making a bowel movement, and pain towards the end of the day when a lot of standing or physical activity took place.
How is a hernia diagnosed?
A hernia is diagnosed by a physical examination from your physician. The doctor will look for obvious lumps and will feel the abdominal and groin area for those that are not so apparent. In some cases the doctor may order an ultrasound, X-ray or CT scan to determine whether or not a hernia is present and its severity.
How are hernias treated and repaired?
Depending on the severity of a hernia, it may be reducible or irreducible. Those that are reducible are sometimes treated with abdominal binding methods to correct the hernia and push it back into the body without surgery, while irreducible hernias almost always require surgery.
Are there ways to prevent hernias from occurring?
Though there is not much that can be done to prevent the abdominal wall from weakening, a person can reduce the amount of pressure on the abdomen wall. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating foods that are high in fiber, drinking plenty of water daily, strengthening your abdomen with exercise and lifting heavy objects correctly are all ways to help reduce your risk of developing a hernia.
If you or someone that you know is dealing with the uncomfortable and potentially dangerous effects of a hernia, give Great South Bay Surgical Associates a call at 631-321-6801. Our surgeons are trained and skillful in all aspects of open and minimally invasive hernia correction procedures, and are guaranteed to handle your surgery with precision and care.
A hernia occurs when a piece of organ tissue pushes against or protrudes through a weak spot in another organ or tissue in the body. This causes a visible lump in the abdomen that can sometimes be accompanied with pain and swelling.
Are there different types?There are tons of different types of hernias that can occur in both men and women. From the pelvic floor and abdominal wall to the diaphragm, hernias can affect many different parts of the body in different ways. To see a full breakdown of the different types of hernias, click here to view our past blog post.
What causes a hernia to occur?
Hernias form from a weakened spot in the abdominal wall. These weakened spots in the tissue may be present at birth, but can also be formed over time due to aging, injury, surgical and medical procedures, family history, pregnancy, obesity and any type of activity or exercise that causes strain on the body.
How do I know if I have a hernia?
Some experience no physical symptoms except for a lump in the groin or abdomen, while others will feel pain or pressure when bending, coughing or sneezing. Hernias can also be accompanied by a heavy feeling in the groin or abdomen, pain when lifting heavy objects or while making a bowel movement, and pain towards the end of the day when a lot of standing or physical activity took place.
How is a hernia diagnosed?
A hernia is diagnosed by a physical examination from your physician. The doctor will look for obvious lumps and will feel the abdominal and groin area for those that are not so apparent. In some cases the doctor may order an ultrasound, X-ray or CT scan to determine whether or not a hernia is present and its severity.
How are hernias treated and repaired?
Depending on the severity of a hernia, it may be reducible or irreducible. Those that are reducible are sometimes treated with abdominal binding methods to correct the hernia and push it back into the body without surgery, while irreducible hernias almost always require surgery.
Are there ways to prevent hernias from occurring?
Though there is not much that can be done to prevent the abdominal wall from weakening, a person can reduce the amount of pressure on the abdomen wall. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating foods that are high in fiber, drinking plenty of water daily, strengthening your abdomen with exercise and lifting heavy objects correctly are all ways to help reduce your risk of developing a hernia.
If you or someone that you know is dealing with the uncomfortable and potentially dangerous effects of a hernia, give Great South Bay Surgical Associates a call at 631-321-6801. Our surgeons are trained and skillful in all aspects of open and minimally invasive hernia correction procedures, and are guaranteed to handle your surgery with precision and care.
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