Types Of Hernia & Way It Can Be Treated!

When an organ residing in a cavity such as the abdomen tries to push through the muscular layer it resides in, it is called as a hernia. Hernias can be caused by things such as improper heavy lifting, incorrect posture, chronic constipation, multiple pregnancies and as a result of surgical complication or injury. Factors like obesity, smoking, chronic lung disease aggravate the severity of the hernia. It is believed that about 27% of all males and 3% of females can have a hernia during their lifetime. 

Types of Hernias: 

1. Groin hernias: The groin is the most common area, where the abdomen pushes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal wall, causing a protrusion into the inguinal or femoral canal. More common in men than women. Inguinal and femoral hernias are some of the most common hernias and are most commonly treated with surgery. 
2. Hiatal hernia: The abdomen has the diaphragm separating it from the thoracic cavity in the upper border. When the stomach pushes through the diaphragm, a hernia is caused and there is almost always associated food reflux in these cases. Common causes are old age, smoking, obesity etc. 
3. Umbilical hernia: The navel is a weak point of abdominal wall. Intestines or internal fat can protrude through the navel and form umbilical hernias. Most commonly seen in babies around the bellybutton, it gradually corrects itself on its own. Also seen in adults after pregnancy or in chronic obese people. 
4. Incisional: These are post-surgical, and happen when the organ protrudes through the weakened scar of surgery. These are complex hernias as there are internal adhesions between intestines at the site of hernia and need to be treated carefully. Internal abdominal hernias can also develop which are not seen externally and patients only complain of pain. These can be diagnosed with CT scanning. 
5. Congenital Hernias: Some hernias occur from birth such as umbilical, diaphragmmatic, inguinal and need to be treated accordingly. 

Treatment 
This includes a combination of constant monitoring followed by a decision to do surgical treatment. Hiatal hernias and umbilical hernias can be monitored for a while before deciding on surgery. Inguinal and femoral hernias may require surgery earlier in the stage. After reducing the hernia contents, a mesh is placed to hold back the tissue in its corrected place. The umbilical hernia in children could be self-limiting. If it does not get auto-corrected in the first year of life, that also would qualify for a surgical treatment.

Dependent on each patient, hernias need to be managed under medical supervision. Surgery can be done Open or Laparoscopic i.e. key hole surgery. This helps reduce pain and the post surgery recovery is very fast. Patients must avoid lifting heavy weight and strenous exercise for a period of 6-8 weeks after surgery.