Hernias can be defined as swellings on the skin surface as a result of abdominal contents breaching the abdominal wall. A hernia is classically made up of a neck which fans out to form the body that holds the protruding contents within the sac as whole. Generally, most contain intestines even though they could also contain the stomach or other abdominal organs. These are some of the basic principles on hernia Valley Stream NY residents may be interested in.
These protrusions can be classified based on different factors. For instance, they can be reducible or irreducible. Reducible hernias are more prominent when the patient coughs and when they are standing. They, however, retract when one lies down or manual reduction is attempted. Irreducible hernias, on the other hand, show neither spontaneous nor manual reduction. These are more dangerous because they can easily get twisted and interfere with circulation.
When blood supply to the contents of the hernia is compromised, it is said to be strangulated. This is bound to happen if the protrusion is irreducible and when the neck is extremely narrow. Ultimately, the tissues within the sac permanently become dysfunctional if the strangulation is not reversed in time. Pain is often the first sign that a hernia could be strangulated.
Closely related to strangulated hernias are obstructed hernias. In the obstructed type, the intestines therein literally get blocked. The patient will have various signs and symptoms that include vomiting, abdominal distention and inability to pass stool. In the long run, late or lack of intervention can cause parts of the bowel to die.
Based on their location, hernias can be categorized as inguinal, femoral, diaphragmatic and umbilical. Statistically, inguinal and femoral hernias, both of which occur in the groin, are more encountered compared to all the others. Femoral ones are especially common among females. Inguinal hernias can be said to be either direct or indirect.
Increased abdominal pressure due to one reason or the other contributes to weakening of the abdominal muscular wall and hence a tendency of organs to bulge through. This may occur when one strains every time they pass stool because of constipation from low fiber diet, when they use some drugs or due to dehydration. People with lower urinary tract obstruction also tend to strain during urination and are therefore also predisposed to developing this problem. Cigarette smoking, weight lifting, obesity and pregnancy are also part of this list.
Surprisingly, some people may get hernias and yet have none of the common risk factors. Such people could be having some abnormality in their connective tissue that makes it weak. More often than not, they get umbilical hernias which is especially common in the young population. Lucky enough, most of them regress spontaneously.
Herniorrhaphy is the treatment of choice for hernias. In this procedure, the surgeon makes an incision through the sac and returns the protruding tissues back to where they belong. The weak abdominal wall is then repaired using a special kind of mesh which is good at minimizing the chances of recurrence. It is done under general anaesthesia using either the open method or laparoscopy.
These protrusions can be classified based on different factors. For instance, they can be reducible or irreducible. Reducible hernias are more prominent when the patient coughs and when they are standing. They, however, retract when one lies down or manual reduction is attempted. Irreducible hernias, on the other hand, show neither spontaneous nor manual reduction. These are more dangerous because they can easily get twisted and interfere with circulation.
When blood supply to the contents of the hernia is compromised, it is said to be strangulated. This is bound to happen if the protrusion is irreducible and when the neck is extremely narrow. Ultimately, the tissues within the sac permanently become dysfunctional if the strangulation is not reversed in time. Pain is often the first sign that a hernia could be strangulated.
Closely related to strangulated hernias are obstructed hernias. In the obstructed type, the intestines therein literally get blocked. The patient will have various signs and symptoms that include vomiting, abdominal distention and inability to pass stool. In the long run, late or lack of intervention can cause parts of the bowel to die.
Based on their location, hernias can be categorized as inguinal, femoral, diaphragmatic and umbilical. Statistically, inguinal and femoral hernias, both of which occur in the groin, are more encountered compared to all the others. Femoral ones are especially common among females. Inguinal hernias can be said to be either direct or indirect.
Increased abdominal pressure due to one reason or the other contributes to weakening of the abdominal muscular wall and hence a tendency of organs to bulge through. This may occur when one strains every time they pass stool because of constipation from low fiber diet, when they use some drugs or due to dehydration. People with lower urinary tract obstruction also tend to strain during urination and are therefore also predisposed to developing this problem. Cigarette smoking, weight lifting, obesity and pregnancy are also part of this list.
Surprisingly, some people may get hernias and yet have none of the common risk factors. Such people could be having some abnormality in their connective tissue that makes it weak. More often than not, they get umbilical hernias which is especially common in the young population. Lucky enough, most of them regress spontaneously.
Herniorrhaphy is the treatment of choice for hernias. In this procedure, the surgeon makes an incision through the sac and returns the protruding tissues back to where they belong. The weak abdominal wall is then repaired using a special kind of mesh which is good at minimizing the chances of recurrence. It is done under general anaesthesia using either the open method or laparoscopy.
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