A hernia is simply an external protrusion of internal structures as a result of a defect in the muscular wall of a body cavity. It comprises a sac and its contents together with a neck. In most instances, hernia sac contents are intestines. They could also be other soft tissue structures and organs. These are some of the facts on hernia Valley Stream NY patients may find useful.
Whether a hernia is reducible or not is determined by the ability of the swelling being able to disappear spontaneously or when purposefully pushed in. The doctor observes the protrusion with the patient standing and when they are lying down. Given a choice, it is better to get a reducible hernia than an irreducible one which is not only uncomfortable but is at risk of being twisted.
Strangulated hernias are those whose blood supply has been cut off completely. Strangulation is more likely to happen if the neck is narrow. Irreducible hernias suffer the same fate if they are not surgically repaired in a timely manner. The end result is death of tissues meant to serve key roles in the body. The possibility of strangulation is almost a hundred percent if the individual experiences severe pain.
Other than strangulation, hernias can also be obstructed. This usually happens the tissues in question are intestines. The normal contraction and relaxation of intestinal muscles is interfered with and as a result, intestinal contents accumulate in one part leading to enforcement and possible perforation. This is why surgical correction needs to be prompt. Some of the physical pointers to intestinal obstruction include vomiting, abdominal bulging and constipation.
Hernias can also be classified based on their location in the body. Groin hernias can be inguinal or femoral. The inguinal type can further be described as being direct and indirect. This type is by far the commonest. The femoral type tends to occur more in women than men. Other types include diaphragmatic, umbilical and esophageal.
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.
Some hernias happen as a result of a familial form of connective tissue disorder. In this case, children are born with an already weakened abdominal wall. The most common form that occurs in this situation is the umbilical type. The good news about this kind is that most of them heal spontaneously over a number of years.
Management of hernias involves incision of the sac and return of contents back to their rightful place in the abdominal cavity, after which the defect is corrected using a special patch, much stronger than the original tissue. This greatly reduces the risk of the the problem recurring. The whole procedure is called herniorraphy and is usually done when the patient is fully anaesthetized.
Whether a hernia is reducible or not is determined by the ability of the swelling being able to disappear spontaneously or when purposefully pushed in. The doctor observes the protrusion with the patient standing and when they are lying down. Given a choice, it is better to get a reducible hernia than an irreducible one which is not only uncomfortable but is at risk of being twisted.
Strangulated hernias are those whose blood supply has been cut off completely. Strangulation is more likely to happen if the neck is narrow. Irreducible hernias suffer the same fate if they are not surgically repaired in a timely manner. The end result is death of tissues meant to serve key roles in the body. The possibility of strangulation is almost a hundred percent if the individual experiences severe pain.
Other than strangulation, hernias can also be obstructed. This usually happens the tissues in question are intestines. The normal contraction and relaxation of intestinal muscles is interfered with and as a result, intestinal contents accumulate in one part leading to enforcement and possible perforation. This is why surgical correction needs to be prompt. Some of the physical pointers to intestinal obstruction include vomiting, abdominal bulging and constipation.
Hernias can also be classified based on their location in the body. Groin hernias can be inguinal or femoral. The inguinal type can further be described as being direct and indirect. This type is by far the commonest. The femoral type tends to occur more in women than men. Other types include diaphragmatic, umbilical and esophageal.
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.
Some hernias happen as a result of a familial form of connective tissue disorder. In this case, children are born with an already weakened abdominal wall. The most common form that occurs in this situation is the umbilical type. The good news about this kind is that most of them heal spontaneously over a number of years.
Management of hernias involves incision of the sac and return of contents back to their rightful place in the abdominal cavity, after which the defect is corrected using a special patch, much stronger than the original tissue. This greatly reduces the risk of the the problem recurring. The whole procedure is called herniorraphy and is usually done when the patient is fully anaesthetized.
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