Hernia Prevention and Hernia Treatment

Learn the causes behind Hernia, plus the different Types and the Anatomy Involved.

by StretchCoach

Hernia is a general term referring to a condition which can appear in various parts of the body. The most common hernias develop somewhere in the abdomen. They are caused by a weakness in the abdominal wall which allows a hole to develop.

If you suffer from hernia or are seeking to prevent its occurrence it is important to follow the information in this article. In addition, adding a few simple stretches to your fitness program will also help. To get started on a safe and effective stretching routine that’s just right for you, check out the Ultimate Guide to Stretching & Flexibility.

Occurrence of hernia may produce localized pain, a visible or palpable lump, or less obvious symptoms due to pressure on an organ from the hernia. In more severe instances, organ dysfunction may result. Many conditions can increase intra-abdominal pressure leading to hernia, including various diseases, overstrain from lifting activities or pregnancy. Alternately, the abdominal area may have been weakened by age, injury or through previous surgical incision

Areas of the abdominal wall prone to herniation include the inguinal and femoral canals, which permit passage of vessels downward to the scrotum and the legs. The umbilical region or navel is another area of natural weakness vulnerable to hernia. Congenital susceptibility to hernia exists and the affliction is known to run in families.

Previous abdominal surgery can also leave areas of the abdominal wall weakened and at risk for developing a hernia. Excessive strain is the cause of many abdominal hernias. In sports, weightlifters are at particular risk which is why requiring physical therapy for athletes in this area is not uncommon. Complications of untreated hernia include strangulation of an intestine, a condition causing severe pain and requiring emergency surgical intervention.

What is a Hernia?

Hernias occur when the contents of a body cavity bulge outward from their normal location. Such contents may include portions of intestine or abdominal fatty tissue enclosed in a membranous lining. Many structures of the body (including the brain) are vulnerable to herniation though hernia most often refers to bulges in the lower torso involving the abdominal wall. While hernias are often relatively harmless, they all carry risk of complications, particularly, should the blood supply to the contents of the hernial sac be cut off – a so-called strangulated hernia.

Types of Hernia and the Anatomy Involved

Inguinal hernia: This condition comes in two forms, direct and indirect. Inguinal hernias comprise 75% of all hernias involving the abdominal wall. Such hernias are far more prevalent in men than in women. Both forms of inguinal hernia occur at inguinal crease, the area where the skin creases at the top of the thigh joining the torso.

An indirect inguinal hernia involves the pathway that the testicles create during embryonic development. This pathway descends from the abdomen into the scrotum, normally closing before birth but remaining a vulnerable site for hernia. Occasionally, the hernial sac may protrude into the scrotum. Such hernias sometimes occur in infancy but also can result later from the aging process.

The direct inguinal hernia occurs in a slightly different place, (to the inside of the indirect inguinal) in a thinner area of the abdominal wall. Such hernias rarely protrude into the scrotum. They also differ from indirect inguinal hernias in being largely restricted to middle aged and elderly patients, whose abdominal walls have weakened with age.

Femoral hernia: This condition produces a bulge below the inguinal crease in roughly the middle of the thigh. Such hernias are rare and largely restricted to women. Femoral hernias also run a higher risk of becoming irreducible and strangulated. The femoral canal is the site into which abdominal contents, usually intestine, protrude. (The femoral canal allows the femoral artery, vein, and nerve to enter the thigh after exiting the abdominal cavity.)

Umbilical hernia: This form of hernia is fairly common, accounting for 10-30% of all hernias. Often, it is detected at birth and becomes visible as a protrusion at the bellybutton or umbilicus. This is the result of incomplete closure of an abdominal wall opening after birth. Depending on the size of the umbilical hernia, it may gradually close by the age of 2 or (if larger that three quarters of an inch) may require surgery at age 2-4 years. The condition can recur later in life, due to original weakening of the abdominal wall coupled with the effects of age. Women in middle age who have had children can suffer umbilical hernias, as can the elderly of both sexes.

Incisional hernia: Following abdominal surgery, the wall of the abdomen may become weakened and vulnerable to hernia. Such incisional hernias occur in about 2-10% of all abdominal surgeries, and may occur months or years after surgery. Incisional hernias recur following correction in about 20-45% of cases.

Additional, less common forms of abdominal hernia include the Spigelian hernia, Obturator hernia and Epigastric hernia.

What Causes a Hernia?

While an umbilical hernia may be present at birth, other forms of abdominal hernia occur later in life. Areas of weakness in the fetal pathways of the abdomen, existing abdominal wall openings or other sites of abdominal wall weakness can lead to hernia. Further, conditions which increase the pressure of the abdominal cavity may contribute to producing a hernia (or worsening an existing hernia). Some of these include:

Signs and Symptoms

In some cases, hernias are asymptomatic, while in others, extreme pain results. If you’re experiencing some low level pain, it might be worth trying some bioavailable cbd to see if that helps. However if your pain is more serious and causing you discomfort, consult a doctor immediately. A swollen protrusion of tissue, particularly one causing pain, may indicate a strangulated hernia, a serious condition requiring immediate medical care. General signs and symptoms of hernia include:

Treatment

Treatment for hernia varies according to the age and general health of the patient as well as the type and severity of hernia involved. While some hernias resolve themselves, surgery is often required. Repair of hernia is often carried out on outpatient basis.

Hernia surgery involves an incision at the hernial site after which the surgeon will either move the protruding contents of the hernia back into the abdominal cavity or remove the contents altogether. The latter option may be used in cases where the intestines are strangulated. Following repair, the weakened tissue that contributed to the development of the hernia will be closed and reinforced with stitching or (in the case of larger hernias) synthetic mesh. Following surgery, intravenous fluids and pain-medication will generally be given.

Light activities can often be resumed within days of hospital release, but strenuous activity must be strictly avoided until healing is complete. In most cases, this requires six to eight weeks.

Prevention

Now, some of these prevention tips can be easier said than done. For example, the idea of quitting smoking is appealing to a lot of people and tends to be the end goal when you wish to lead a healthier life, but actually taking the steps to achieve this can be hard. As such, most individuals make the decision to look for a vaping device, similar to those at CBD Queen, before deciding to quit for good. Vapes are different from cigarettes as they can be filled with flavorsome products, instead of nicotine and tobacco that are otherwise found in cigarettes. Of course, you must do what is best for you, but you should really aim to achieve all of the tips listed above.

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