Hernia is one of the most common medical conditions and about 10 to 12 percent of the adult population in India suffers from the condition at some point. Congenital weakness of muscles and age-related deficiencies are the main contributors to hernia in India. By going through the contents on this page, you will be able to have a clear understanding of everything about hernia.
A hernia is a medical condition that occurs due to the weakening of muscle tissues in an organ near the abdomen causing the intestine or tissues to protrude through the weak spots nearby. Mostly, a hernia can occur in the abdomen between the chest and hips but can also appear in the upper thigh and groin areas. There are several reasons concerning the occurrence of a hernia. Some of them revolve around smoking, poor nutrition, chronic constipation, consuming tobacco etc. Although most hernias aren’t immediately severe, sometimes certain cases might require surgery to prevent life-threatening complications as they don’t go away on their own. A hernia can appear among people of any age group.
A hernia forms when muscle tissues become weak or ruptured, causing internal organs like the intestines to protrude. Hernias can be classified into two categories which are, acquired and congenital. A person may be born with a hernia, or a hernia may be acquired from obesity or daily activities like heavy weightlifting, persistent sneezing or coughing and certain changes in lifestyle.
Inguinal hernia
Umbilical hernia
Incisional hernia
Femoral hernia
Hiatal hernia
Epigastric hernia
If one consults a doctor for hernia, the doctor might carry out certain tests depending upon the symptoms and severity of the hernia. Generally, a physical examination is all it takes for the doctor to diagnose a hernia. However, in certain cases where the diagnosis isn’t clearly apparent, the doctor might prescribe an imaging test such as an abdominal ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.
Generally, in the first stage, a person might experience a lump or swelling in and around the areas of the abdomen. The lump will be clearly visible while straining, coughing, and carrying out other physical activities but the same lump might disappear or get reduced as soon as the person lies down. Initially, the person would not feel any sort of pain or discomfort.
To prevent a hernia from developing, it is important to maintain a healthy body weight as an obese person is more likely to acquire a hernia. Certain other ways to prevent the occurrence of a hernia involve inclusion of high-fibre food in one’s diet, avoiding smoking, proper treatment of persistent coughing and sneezing, and using proper techniques while lifting heavy objects.
Myth 1: Hernias can heal on their own.
Fact: No, hernias cannot heal on their own.
Myth 2: Exercises can heal hernia.
Fact: Well no, exercises cannot heal hernia.
Myth 3: Hernia can be cured with medications and alternative treatments.
Fact: Although medications and alternative treatments can ease the pain and discomfort, they cannot cure hernia.
Myth 4: Hernias can always recur.
Fact: Hernias generally don’t always recur, but in rare cases they might return months after being repaired.
Myth 5: Everyone is eligible for laparoscopic hernia surgery.
Fact: No, laparoscopic hernia surgery is not advisable for children and pregnant women.
Myth 6: Laparoscopic hernia surgeries are extremely painful.
Fact: Laparoscopic surgeries or minimally invasive surgeries are not painful at all.
The hernia in any given condition might not keep bulging, but neither will a hernia heal on its own. Delaying its treatment can result in severe complications as it wouldn’t even come with warning signs. The complications might appear suddenly which would lead the patient to be rushed in an emergency medical condition. If there is a noticeable bulge or protrusion accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever or chills, or if one is unable to have a normal bowel movement, it might mean that the person is suffering from strangulated/incarcerated hernia and should immediately seek medical help.
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There are certain non-surgical treatment options to treating hernia that include medication and lifestyle changes. If a person is awaiting a surgery or is not fit for the surgery, they might be able to ease the pain or discomfort for a particular amount of time by wearing a corset, binder, or truss. However, these are temporary solutions as a hernia usually does not go away on its own without surgery.
The basic treatment cost of a Hernia repair surgery is covered by almost all major general and health care insurance providers in India. However, the cost bracket may differ in the case of every individual and policy. It should be noted that, as with any other treatment, insurance covers only the surgical expenses and the patient must be hospitalized for at least 24 hours to file the claim. To learn more about the insurance and its claim process, you can get in touch with us.
The standard recovery time of a laparoscopic hernia repair surgery takes about a day or two at the most in the hospital. Right after the surgery, it is common to experience mild to moderate pain. Usually, a person can get back to performing regular activities within two weeks but will have to avoid strenuous activities and make sure that no pressure is exerted around the area of the surgery. With the introduction of advanced methods like minimally invasive surgeries, the success and recovery rate of certain life-threatening diseases like hernia has been reduced to a greater extent over the due course of time.
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Strangulated hernia is a complicated medical condition that can be life-threatening as well. The fatty tissue of the small intestine bulges through a weakened area of the abdominal muscles. The muscle then clamps down, cutting off the blood supply to the small intestine. It deters the blood supply to the bowel which leads to unpleasant symptoms. It is a surgical emergency that is extremely painful and can also lead to severe complications.
There are no alternatives to a hernia surgery. There are certain medicines and alternative treatments that can help a person deal with the pain and discomfort temporarily but a hernia does not heal on its own.
Initially, a hernia might not cause any sort of pain or discomfort, but if ignored and not treated, it can result in complications that can be fatal.
A person might experience a lump or swelling in and around the areas of the abdomen. The lump will be clearly visible while coughing, standing up or sitting down and the same lump might disappear or get reduced in size once the person lies down.
A person might be able to deal with the pain or discomfort by using medicines and alternative treatments temporarily for a while but, there is no permanent solution for hernia repair except for going for a surgery.
One can delay a hernia repair surgery for months or even years and some might not even need a surgery for a small hernia. But a hernia doesn’t go away on its own and a surgery is the only permanent solution for repairing a hernia.
Trusses are devices designed to hold the bulge of an inguinal hernia in place, it may or may not make a person comfortable wearing it. Although it might give some temporary relief, it is always the best decision to take advice from the doctor before wearing it.
Hernias are fairly common in kids. Babies, especially prematures, can be born with them. Some babies are born with small openings inside the body that will close at some point. Nearby tissues can squeeze into such openings and become hernias. Unlike hernias seen in adults, these areas are not always considered a weakness in the muscle wall, but a normal area that has not yet closed.
In some cases, small hernias never require treatment. However, over time, hernias tend to get bigger as the muscle wall of the belly gets weaker and more tissue bulges through. It is always the best decision to consult a doctor and he might recommend a watchful wait depending upon the severity of the condition.
Minimally invasive or laparoscopic surgery is a better option for a hernia repair treatment as it involves minimal blood loss due to the small incisions and a faster recovery time post the surgery.
A hernia might not keep protruding through the weakened area even if it is left untreated, but a person might experience certain symptoms like nausea, fever, vomiting and severe pain all of a sudden as untreated hernia can lead to strangulation due to the blocking of the muscle tissues from inside preventing blood circulation and causing fatal infections like gangrene, which is considered a medical emergency.
It is understandable that going for a surgery is never a convenient option for anyone suffering from any disease. But in case of hernia, there are several risks involved if proper treatment is not provided in time. Delaying a hernia treatment might lead the hernia to get strangulated or incarcerated as it might get trapped outside the abdominal wall, cutting off the blood supply to the hernia and can obstruct the bowel, resulting in a strangulated hernia. Although not all hernias progress to this point, this is a potential risk.
The risks would not come with any warning signs and the complications might appear suddenly, causing the hernia to grow and weaken with time. It is always better to get treated before any of the complications show up and interfere with the daily schedule, bringing drastic changes to the lifestyle which is never easy to cope up with.
Every surgery at Pristyn Care is done using the most advanced medical technology and equipment. Pristyn Care ensures that a patient has a care-filled and hassle-free experience. Being one of the leading health tech startups in India dedicated to simplifying the surgical experience of every patient, we provide end-to-end facilities to our patients and give complete assistance in their treatment journey. You can book an appointment and get in touch with our doctors virtually from the comfort of your home or anywhere by dialing on the given numbers or by filling up the ‘Book Appointment’ form below.
During the initial consultation, the doctor will have a detailed discussion and examine the condition of your hernia. After a thorough assessment, the doctor will come up with the best treatment plan for you and take you through all the necessary steps to get your hernia treated in the most effective and efficient way.
