How Do I Know If I Have A Hernia?

Are you experiencing pain when coughing, straining or lifting, or do you have a noticeable protrusion in your groin, abdomen or near a scar? You may have a hernia.

A hernia occurs when an organ, intestine or fatty tissue protrudes through something it shouldn’t, such as muscle or tissue. While symptoms can vary from patient to patient, hernias can cause damage to internal organs if left untreated. So, how do you know for sure if you have one?

Dr. Hemendra Sharma MS, a laproscopic & minimal invasive surgeon with Fortis Hospital , Jaipur explained the most common types of hernias, their causes and how to best treat them.

Most Common Types of Hernias

1. Inguinal and incisal (groin hernias)

2. Umbilical (near the navel/belly button)

3. Ventral (abdomen/ventral wall)

“While there are many different types of hernias, the most common we see are groin hernias.” Dr. Sharma said.

Possible Causes

In most cases, hernias can occur for any reason and to anyone, although men are more susceptible to groin hernias than women. “However, most of these have been present from birth or are associated with aging or repetitive strain on the abdomen or groin area,” Dr. Hemendra Sharma said.

Some general activities that can increase your risk of getting a hernia include:

1. Smoking

2. Any straining due to constipation

3. Persistent cough

4. Lifting heavy weights

5. Being overweight or obese

Symptoms

“Usually they are obvious,” Dr. Hemendra said. In many cases, hernias present as painless swelling in an area. Most often people notice the swelling and see their doctor. Even if it isn’t causing you pain, Dr. Hemendra recommends you still schedule an appointment with your doctor because of the possible risk of organ strangulation.

“New guidance suggests that we fix on diagnosis before it becomes symptomatic ".

Hernias don’t go away and can continue to grow and become more painful. If you are experiencing pain, nausea or vomiting, seek immediate medical attention.

Treatment Options

When it comes to hernia repairs, there are two surgical approaches: traditional, laparoscopic .

1. Traditional surgery: The surgeon makes an incision near the hernia, and the weak muscle is repaired. It can be done with or without surgical mesh.

2. Laparoscopic surgery: The surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdomen that allows surgical tools into the openings to repair the hernia. This can be done with or without mesh.

“Each type of surgery has its advantages and disadvantages,” Dr. Hemendra said. “The best approach should be decided between the patient and surgeon taking into account the age and health of the patient and preferences for using mesh or not.”

Do you think you may have a hernia? Don’t wait. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Hemendra Sharma at https://www.drhemendrasharma.com/book-online to be evaluated.