Hernias are quite common and occur more in men than in women. When left untreated, the condition gets very painful, and sometimes become life-threatening. Hence, ignoring a painful hernia is a bad idea, and seeking medical assistance is necessary. To know more about the condition and the treatment available, read on.

What is a hernia?
A hernia refers to an abnormal exit of an organ or tissues. When a fatty tissue or an organ squeezes or penetrates through a weak spot of the surrounding connective tissues or muscles, the condition hernia appears. Though there are various types of a hernia, it is an inguinal hernia and the ventral hernia that are two of the most common types.

Inguinal hernia
When the bladder or the intestine protrudes into the groin's inguinal canal or extends through the abdominal wall, it is referred to as an inguinal hernia. Around 96% of the groin hernias that occur are usually inguinal hernia. It is due to the weakness in the groin area of men that men commonly suffer from this kind of a hernia.

Ventral hernia
A ventral hernia is a type of a hernia that develops in the abdominal wall's front. Usually, it occurs at the weak areas of the abdomen such as the location of a previous surgery. Varying in sizes, it may be small to complex and large, these hernias may appear weeks or months or sometimes years after surgery. The various types of a ventral hernia are an epigastric hernia, umbilical hernia, incisional hernia, Spigelian hernia and parastomal hernia.

Complications, if left untreated...

If left untreated, your hernia may grow and become more painful. A portion of your intestine could become trapped in the abdominal wall. This can obstruct your bowel and cause severe pain, nausea, or constipation. An untreated hernia can also put too much pressure on nearby tissues. This can cause swelling and pain in the surrounding area. If the trapped section of your intestines doesn t get enough blood flow, strangulation occurs. This can cause the intestinal tissue to become infected or die. A strangulated hernia is life-threatening and requires immediate medical care.

Treatment Options--

Open surgery
Open surgery for treating hernia is the most traditional and old surgical practice. To perform this common type of hernia surgery, local anesthesia is required, while an incision of around 4 to 5 cm is made in a hernia affected area. Even the most complex and large hernias can be easily treated through such surgeries. Open hernia surgery usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.

Laparoscopic surgery
Compared to the open surgery, laparoscopic surgery requires more time, around an hour or so and is one of the modern surgical processes. Though long-standing or chronic or large hernias cannot be removed through laparoscopy as easily as in open surgery, still, when it comes to smaller incision and quicker recovery time, it is definitely the laparoscopic hernia surgery that is chosen by many. But the costs for laparoscopic surgery is a bit higher than that of the open surgery.

Remember, both women and men can get a hernia at any age. People can even be born with a congenital hernia or develop a hernia over time. A hernia neither goes away all by itself, nor it gets healed over time. Getting operated, in the majority of cases, is usually considered to be the best option to get rid of this condition.

Hernia (Inguinal Or Ventral) And The Surgical Treatment Options Available!

What is a hernia?

The presence of weakness or hole in a muscle, which permits tissues and organs to bulge through the defect, is termed as a hernia. Hernias can range from harmless or barely noticeable to life-threatening, depending on the organs involved and size of a hernia. In such cases, a surgeon to counter the presence of a hernia performs a hernia repair surgery. Otherwise, it might cause substantial organ damage.

How many types of hernias are there?

A hernia can occur in any part of your body. However, it is most commonly found in the groin and stomach region. Apart from that, listed below are the different types of a hernia-

  An incisional hernia- Occurs around the incision site, due to surgery
  An umbilical hernia- Occurs close to the belly button or umbilicus
  Congenital Diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)- Occurs during birth, that might cause the internal organs to move into the chest cavity
  An inguinal hernia- Occurs in the groin region, similar to a femoral hernia
  An epigastric hernia- Occurs between the chest and belly button
  A femoral hernia- Occurs in the groin region, like an inguinal hernia
  A hiatal hernia- A hiatal hernia can cause the stomach to move into the chest cavity

A hernia can cause many problems for you, not just physically but also from other aspects as well. If you do not go for treatment at the right time, it can interfere with your day-to-day activities due to the serious pain associated with it.

What are the factors or signs that call for a hernia repair surgery?

Hernias can sometimes take a long time to notice. Many people notice the presence of a hernia when they participate in any kind of physically taxing or strenuous work. The following symptoms will help you understand whether you need a hernia repair surgery-

  Discomfort or pain that intervenes with your daily activities
  Large-sized hernias
  If your hernia is gradually growing in size and getting worse, especially in the groin region
  When your hernia starts putting a lot of pressure on your nerves, which lead to numbness and irritation
  Long-term discomfort caused due to a hernia
  Vomiting and a piercing stomach pain

The process of performing a hernia repair surgery

Hernia surgery is done in the following two ways-

  Laparoscopic surgery - During this procedure, the surgeon will inflate your stomach with harmless gas, to have a clear look inside. After this, he will make small incisions near a hernia and put a thin tube with a minute camera. This will give him get a clear view inside your stomach and allow him to repair a hernia with a mesh.

  Open surgery - In this procedure, the surgeon will make a large incision and open up your skin. After this, he will slowly push a hernia back inside, tie it and then remove it. Once this is done, the incised site will be closed up with stitches. In case the hernia is considerably large, the surgeon will use some extra mesh, to keep a hernia in its place.

Medical advancements have made it possible and quite easy to perform hernia repair surgeries, with minimal pain. Hence, if you notice even a faint sign of a hernia, make sure that you consult a doctor and get the right treatment.

Hernia Repair Surgery - What Should You Know?

Laparoscopy surgery is a very vital component of the hernia repair. Studies have shown that many patients have a better outcome when they opt for laparoscopic surgery. Candidates eligible for this mode of surgery include those with bilateral inguinal hernias, ventral hernias, and recurrent hernia. People associated with athletics and other outdoor sports prefer to go for a laparoscopic hernia surgery as it ensures a speedy recovery and minimal tissue invasion (due to small incisions).

Laparoscopic hernia repair- inguinal
A laparoscopic surgery requires an incision of 1-2 cm at the belly (at the lower end). Two small punctures are done near the umbilicus. The punctures are done to make room for the cameras so that the surgeon is able to view the abdomen clearly. The smaller incisions allows the operating instrument to enter into the stomach.

The Procedure:
A balloon is placed in between the abdomen and the overlying muscle so that the peritoneum can be separated. When space is successfully made, the camera comes into the action to view the condition of a hernia. A hernia is pulled from its hole into the abdomen. Once the hole is detected, the defect of a hernia is fixed.

Laparoscopic hernia repair- incisional/ventral: Laparoscopic hernia repair is suitable for all types of a hernia such as an umbilical hernia, ventral hernia, recurrent umbilical hernia, epigastric hernia etc. Just like an inguinal hernia, A camera is placed into the abdomen through the muscles. Two small incisions are made for the operating instruments to get through. This is followed by the cutting of the tissue that is placed between a hernia and the intestine. The hole thus gets exposed. Through one of the laparoscopic ports, the hernia mesh gets rolled and is placed into the abdomen. A hernia is then pulled up and the mesh gets secured with 4 sutures. A special device is used to fix the healthy muscle.

Tension free repair: Tension free  repair is often used to symbolize hernia surgery. A hernia is often triggered by the weakened muscles. Few surgeons endeavors to sew the muscle around the area of a hernia. Since the muscles surrounding the hernia are weak in the first place, they pull apart causing a recurrence of a hernia. To avoid this, most surgeons use a mesh to strengthen the cells around the hernia region. This procedure ensures that the muscles aren t sewn but the mesh placed over the hole can prevent the muscle to push through the walls of the abdomen.

The use of mesh: There are some reservations about using the mesh in a hernia surgery. However, this is the safest and most appropriate way to perform a hernia laparoscopic surgery. The use of a mesh also negates the risk of open incisions and recurrence of a hernia.

Types of Hernia - How Laproscopy Can Help Manage?

Do you know not all foods can be consumed on an empty stomach? So, it is imperative that you should be aware of such foods and restructure your breakfast menu accordingly. Here is a list of foods to avoid on an empty stomach. 

Stay away from the following foods when you eat after a considerable gap

Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits contain fruit acids. When these acids enter an empty stomach, they can lead to heartburn. Hence, if eaten after a prolonged period post meal, a person is at risk of gastritis and stomach ulcers.
Soda: Consuming cold soda drinks on an empty stomach may cause damage to the mucosal membrane while reducing blood flow to the stomach. This may lead to a slow digestive process and difficulty in the abdomen.
Spicy foods: Spicy foods are known to cause irritation and damage to the digestive tract, and are especially not recommended for people who suffer from acid reflux issues since very spicy food leads to consequences such as acid reflux in the food pipe.
Cucumber and other green vegetables: Green vegetables and cucumber are rich in amino acids. If consumed on an empty stomach it may very well lead to pain and bitterness in the upper abdomen.
Tomato: Tomato is a fruit containing high levels of tannin. Tannin causes acidity in an empty stomach and leads to consequences and appearance of gastritis if frequently consumed in such a manner.
Fermented milk products: Fermented milk products such as yogurt typically come with loads of health benefits being full of probiotics. But if consumed on an empty stomach it can interfere with the balance of healthy bacteria as the hydrochloric acid produced tends to be destructive.
Sweets: Items such as candy or sweetmeats contain high levels of sugar and cause a sudden and sharp surge of insulin levels in the blood. Over a long period, this has a bad effect on the pancreas.
Products containing yeast: Edible items such as biscuits, puff pastry, vinegar and beverages such as beer and wine contain yeast which can significantly irritate the stomach and cause bloating.
So, be a little conscious and avoid consuming these items on an empty stomach since a little effort goes a long way. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Empty Stomach - 8 Food Types That You Must Avoid!

A great alternative to refined sugar, honey is packed with essential nutrients and is really delicious to eat. There are many health benefits of honey. It can be easily added to any diet as a topping, say for fruit salads, ice-creams or as a spread. But are you aware that the jars of this tasty golden liquid can sometimes not be honey at all but syrup that tastes exactly like honey? So, How do you evaluate if you are buying real honey?

In order to boost profits, honey manufacturers dilute their product with adulterants such as flour, syrup or molasses and even sand and chalk. If you want to get the most out of this tick liquid, you should buy only pure honey.

What Is Pure Honey?
Real honey is not produced in factories but from bees. Usually, organic and natural honey are referred to as pure honey. However, it is not always feasible to tell if the honey is pure by just looking at it. Natural honey is made only by honey bees and when these bees are fed only at organically grown flowers, the honey they produced is classified as organic.

What Is Fake Honey?
Also known as artificial, adulterated or impure, fake honey contains additives including corn syrup, glucose, molasses, sugar syrup, dextrose, invert sugar, flour or starch apart from the floral nectar.

How To Find Fake Honey?
Listed below are a few simple tips that you can carry out at the comfort of your home to determine whether the honey you are buying is genuine or fake.



Read The Label: In addition to buying well-known and reputed brands of honey, ensure that you check the label for the logo and brand name. This will guarantee that the jar you pickup is not only good quality but also genuine. The label on the jar should list only one ingredient, honey, no additives, or flavourings.
The Warm Water Test: Add a teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm water. If the honey is pure, then it will sink to the bottom of the glass as a lump or stick to the spoon when the mixture is stirred. If the honey is adulterated with any kind of syrup, it will dissolve in the water.
The Thumb Test: Put a drop of honey on your thumb. If it spreads or spills, then it is not pure. Pure honey is thick in texture and would remain intact on your thumb.
The Flame Test: Honey is inflammable and easily catches fire. Dip a dry matchstick in honey, then strike the matchbox. If the matchstick lights with ease and continues to burn, then the honey is pure. Due to the moisture present as an adulterant in fake honey, a matchstick dipped in fake honey will not light easily.
The Foam Test: Add 2-3 drops of vinegar essence to the honey and mix well. If it becomes foamy within 2-3 minutes, then the product you have purchased is not pure and contains additives.
The Tissue Paper Test: Put a drop of honey on a piece of tissue paper. If it gets absorbed and leaves the paper wet or a watermark on the paper, then it is adulterated and not pure honey.
The Heat Test: If the honey is pure, then on heating, it will caramelize. However, fake honey tends to form bubbles on heating and does not caramelize.
The Bread Test: Pure honey when spread on the bread, makes the bread hardened within a few minutes. On the other hand, the slice of bread remains soft and moisturized if there are any additives present in the honey.
The Crystallization Test: Pure honey has a natural tendency to crystallize over time because of the presence of glucose oxidase, an enzyme that removes water/moisture from honey. Fake honey does not become thick, when stored.
The Egg Yolk Test: When honey is mixed will egg yolk in a bowl and both are blended together, the yolk looks like it is cooked. However, fake honey does not produce this effect on the egg yolk.
You might sometimes be able to spot fake honey by its taste and smell, though not always. Honey being a natural product and produced from the nectar of different flowers, it does not always taste or smell the same. It is also not possible to taste honey before buying it if as the product comes in a sealed bottle or jar. Therefore, it is recommended to only pick branded or organic honey to ensure that the honey you are buying is pure and genuine.

Honey - How To Spot If It Is Fake Or Not?

A hernia occurs because of an internal weakening of the abdominal layer, resulting in tearing. The inner most layer of the abdomen forms a sac and pushes the weakening area. This results in the abdomen tissue being slipped into the sac, causing pain and other health problems. It can occur to both men and women. Apart from natural weakness of the abdomen, a hernia can get triggered from heavy weight lifting, constant coughing, gaining weight and from irregular bowel movement. 80percent of hernia cases originate near the groin.

What are the symptoms?
Some of the common symptoms of a hernia include:

Constipation
Nausea
Feeling of fullness even without eating a thing
Sharp pain while lifting weight
Burning sensation
Dull ache near the groin area
Bulge near the groin area
How is a laparoscopic hernia performed?
This mode of surgery uses a telescope-like instrument known as the laparoscope. With the help of a small incision, the laparoscope is inserted at the belly button. Since the procedure is performed withanaesthesia, it isessential for a doctor to do a routine medical check-up that evaluates the general health of the patient, past medical history, EKG, blood work etc.

Usually, the patient doesn t feel a thing while the surgery is performed. A video camera is connected to the instrument to get a detailed inside view of a hernia and the area that needs to be repaired. Before this, the abdomen is inflated with the help of carbon monoxide. A mesh is placed inside the abdomen to fix the defects of the abdominal wall and strengthen the weakened tissue of the abdomen. Once the procedure is done, the incisions that are made in the abdomen is closed with the help of surgical tapes. The mark of incision disappears within a month.

Benefits of Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery
The benefits of laparoscopic surgery are quite evident.

A lot of tiny incisions are made rather than making a large incision in the abdominal area. This ensures speedy recovery and a short stay at the hospital.
The pain is significantly less compared to the conventional surgery.
The cost of a laparoscopic surgery is lesser
Lastly, a speedy recovery can ensure that a person can return to work within a few days after the surgery is performed.
What to expect after the surgery
Doctors often suggest a week of complete rest after the surgery. The healing time can vary from person to person. A surgeon typically prescribes antibiotics and pain medications to cope up with the wound and pain. It must be ensured that these medicines are taken on time. A revisit to the surgeon might be required after a couple of weeks to assess the recovery.

An Overview Of Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery!

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