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An abdominal hernia is a health problem where organs or fragments of organs move outside the abdominal cavity. When organs such as the intestine change their natural position, a variety of symptoms may appear, including a bulge that can be felt under the skin. How is an abdominal hernia diagnosed and treated?
A hernia is a condition that causes the inside or outside of the body cavities to bulge. The formation of such a pathological bulge occurs when internal organs move beyond their natural position through natural or newly formed holes in the body’s integuments. This may be due to a congenital anatomical defect, trauma, or an acquired hernia that has developed over time, which may be caused by increased pressure in the body cavities caused by, for example, excessive exercise.
There are different types of hernias. An example would be hernia of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc, a condition known popularly as disc prolapse. Many types of hernias also affect the abdominal wall, which often require surgical intervention. Abdominal hernias they are fairly common among infants and children, but also affect adults.
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Read more: Hernia – types and treatment of hernias
Types of hernias of the abdominal integuments
A hernia in the abdominal wall is caused by muscle weakness in the anterior abdominal wall, uneven muscle tone, or fascia defects. It can be a congenital defect in infants, appear as a result of an injury, occur postoperatively, and develop under the influence of various factors that increase pressure in the abdominal cavity.
Among the abdominal hernias we can distinguish, inter alia,:
- inguinal hernia – this is the most common abdominal hernia (it accounts for about 75% of cases of hernias of the anterior abdominal wall), which leads to a gradual shift of the hernial sac towards the groin area; it is more common in men than in women, in children it is congenital, in adults it is acquired;
- femoral hernia – this type of hernia occurs in approx. 15 percent. patients with hernias within the anterior abdominal wall, more often in women; femoral hernia is associated with the displacement of the abdominal organs or their fragments towards the upper and medial surfaces of the thigh;
- umbilical hernia – accounts for about 8 percent. abdominal hernia; it consists in the passage of elements of the abdominal cavity through the umbilical ring and the abdominal wall; it mainly affects newborns, may manifest up to 1 year of age, but also occurs in older children and adults, but in the latter group, peri-umbilical hernias are more common;
- borderline hernia – may initially manifest with discomfort or pain around the navel or epigastric region, because this is where the white line runs, i.e. the line from the pubic symphysis to the sternum.
Among the abdominal hernias, there are also mentioned less common diseases, such as hernia of the crescent border (Spiegel’s hernia), peristomal hernia or diaphragmatic hernia.
The causes of the formation of an abdominal hernia
The formation of abdominal hernias is related to the anatomical structure of the abdominal integuments or damage to it. The reason for the occurrence of these hernias may be developmental defects formed during fetal life, acquired tissue weakness (caused, among others, by an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, operations or old age), and also injuries arising, for example, as a result of violent physical exertion.
To help with hernia pain, use the Sanity 2L Rubber Hot Water Bottle and warm compresses.
The problem of hernias may concern about 10 percent. society.
Check it out: External hernia – what is it?
There are a number of factors that may favor the development of an abdominal hernia:
- strenuous physical work or lifting weights – such activities increase the risk of an increase in pressure in the abdominal cavity and damage to the abdominal wall;
- extreme sport;
- sedentary lifestyle, insufficient physical activity;
- obesity;
- smoking;
- ailments and ailments that increase pressure in the abdominal cavity, e.g. constipation, diseases of the large intestine, cough, prostate enlargement;
- diseases affecting the deterioration of connective tissue continuity;
- weakening of the transverse fascia;
- reduction of collagen synthesis in the body – this phenomenon progresses with age, but also as a result of lack of exercise, strenuous physical effort or obesity; collagen is an important component of connective tissue, and its loss from the body weakens the abdominal wall;
- postoperative scars in the abdominal cavity – there is a risk of developing a hernia after surgery, especially if an infection occurs, the patient has diabetes, obesity, chronic diseases accompanied by cough or is treated with steroids for a long time;
- multiple pregnancies or multiple pregnancies;
- Accidents.
The basis for starting the diagnosis for abdominal hernia may be clinical symptoms combined with a palpable, and sometimes noticeable to the naked eye, bulging around the abdomen, groin or thigh. When it comes to symptoms occurring with an abdominal hernia, they can vary depending on the type of hernia.
However, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain or discomfort are common, and you can feel a thickening under the skin, a hernia that can hurt or burn when touched.
The appearance of an abdominal hernia may be indicated by the symptoms presented by the patient, as well as a palpable tumor in the place where the hernia has emerged. If there is suspicion of an abdominal herniafirst, an ultrasound scan (USG) is performed. Typically, this is a diagnostic method that is sufficient to diagnose an abdominal hernia.
In the diagnostic process, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MR) is sometimes also used. The obstacles to the use of these methods may be their price, limited availability, and the need to provide contrast. CT and MR are effective detection methods diaphragmatic and internal hernias. It is also possible to perform diagnostic laparoscopy, and in the case of intestinal obstruction, also X-ray.
To sum up, tests useful in the diagnosis of abdominal hernia include ultrasound, CT, MRI, X-ray and diagnostic laparoscopy.
For adults, treatment of abdominal hernias is usually different operational methods. Surgeon intervention is not always necessary in children – in the case of umbilical hernia there is a high probability that it will resolve without medical intervention.
If the implementation of treatment turns out to be necessary, the following are used, inter alia, voltage, voltage free and laparoscopic methods.
Treatment of an abdominal hernia by the voltage method it consists in suturing the tissues to eliminate the hernia opening. Currently, they are more popular voltage-free methodswhich reduce pain and the risk of hernia recurrence. Tension-free techniques are based on the use of nets made of synthetic materials, with which the hernial gates are secured.
Recent years have also widespread the use of laparoscopy in the treatment of abdominal hernias. The advantage of this method is that no open technique is required during surgery. Incision of the abdominal wall is kept to a minimum, patients recover faster, and the percentage of hernia recurrences is less than 5%.
How much does treatment of an abdominal hernia cost?
Read also:
- Indigestion or a hiatal hernia?
- Hiatus hernia
- Abdominal muscle dehiscence – causes, symptoms, treatment methods