What is a hernia?
A hernia occurs when part of the inside bulges through an opening or weakness in the muscle or tissue that contains it. Most hernias involve one of the abdominal organs pushing through one of the walls of the abdominal cavity.
What are some of the different types of hernias?
Inguinal (Groin)Hernia
Inguinal hernias are the most common type. They mostly affect men, they happen when part of your bowel protrudes into your inguinal canal, a passageway that runs down your inner thigh
A small hernia may never bother you much. But hernias do tend to grow bigger over time. The opening continues to weaken and stretch, and more tissue gradually pushes its way through. The more tissue pushes through, the more likely it is to become incarcerated, leading to pain and other complications
Symptoms of Inguinal (Groin) Hernia
A bulge in the groin area on either side of the pubic bone. It can go into the scrotum or labia.
A feeling of pressure or heaviness in the groin.
Pain in the groin, especially when straining, lifting, coughing or bending over.
A burning or pinching sensation that may radiate through the pelvis or down the leg.
Femoral Hernia
A femoral hernia is a less common type of groin hernia that occurs in the femoral canal, which runs underneath the inguinal canal. Fatty tissue may poke through
Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia is another common type of hernia that you acquire during your lifetime. It happens when the opening in your diaphragm where your esophagus passes through widens, and the top of your stomach pushes up through the opening into your chest.
Incisional hernia
An incisional hernia occurs when tissue protrudes through a former incision in your abdominal wall that weakened over time. It’s a common side effect of abdominal surgery.
Umbilical hernia
An umbilical hernia occurs when part of your intestine pokes through an opening in your abdominal wall near your belly button. Most umbilical hernias are congenital (present from birth)