Search Results

A hernia occurs when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall. A hernia usually develops between your chest and hips. In many cases, it causes no or very few symptoms, although you may notice a swelling or lump in your tummy (abdomen) or groin. The lump can often be pushed back in or disappears when you lie down. Coughing or straining may make the lump appear. Types of Hernia Inguinal Hernias Inguinal hernias occur when fatty tissue or a part of your bowel pokes through into your groin at the top of your inner thigh. This is the most common type of hernia and it mainly affects men. It’s often associated with ageing and repeated strain on the tummy. Femoral Hernias Femoral hernias also happen when fatty tissue or part of your bowel pokes through into your groin at the top of your inner thigh. They’re much less common than inguinal hernias and tend to affect more women than men. Like inguinal hernias, femoral hernias are also associated with ageing and repeated strain on the tummy. Umbilical Hernias Umbilical hernias occur when fatty tissue or part of your bowel pokes through your tummy near your belly button. This type of hernia can occur in babies if the opening in the tummy that the umbilical cord passes through does not seal properly after birth. Adults can also be affected, possibly as a result of repeated strain on the tummy. Hiatus Hernias Hiatus hernias occur when part of the stomach pushes up into your chest by squeezing through an opening in the diaphragm, the thin sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the tummy. This type of hernia may not have any noticeable symptoms, although it can cause heartburn in some people. It’s not exactly clear what causes hiatus hernias, but it may be the result of the diaphragm becoming weak with age or pressure on the tummy. Other Hernia Types Other types of hernia that can affect the tummy include: incisional hernias – where tissue pokes through a surgical wound in your tummy that has not fully healed epigastric hernias – where fatty tissue pokes through your tummy, between your belly button and the lower part of your breastbone spigelian hernias – where part of your bowel pokes through your tummy at the side of your abdominal muscle, below your belly button diaphragmatic hernias – where organs in your tummy move into your chest through an opening in the diaphragm; this can also affect babies if their diaphragm does not develop properly in the womb muscle hernias – where part of a muscle pokes through your tummy; they also occur in leg muscles as the result of a sports injury When to seek medical advice You should contact your family GP if you think you have a hernia. They may refer you to hospital for surgical treatment, if necessary or altneratively, contact us on 0161 495 7754 for advice. You should go your nearest A&E straight away if you have a hernia and you develop any of the following symptoms: sudden, severe pain being sick difficulty pooing or passing wind the hernia becomes firm or tender, or cannot be pushed back in These symptoms could mean that either: the blood supply to a section of organ or tissue trapped in the hernia has become cut off (strangulation) a piece of bowel has entered the hernia and become blocked (obstruction) A strangulated hernia and obstructed bowel are medical emergencies and need to be treated as soon as possible. Assessing a Hernia Your family GP will usually be able to identify a hernia by examining the affected area. In some cases, they may refer you to a nearby hospital for an ultrasound scan to confirm the diagnosis or assess the extent of the problem. This is a painless scan where high-frequency sound waves are used to create an image of part of the inside of the body. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, a GP or hospital doctor will determine whether surgery to repair the hernia is necessary. A number of factors will be considered when deciding whether surgery is appropriate, including: the type of hernia – some types of hernia are more likely to become strangulated or cause a bowel obstruction than others the content of your hernia – if the hernia contains a part of your bowel, muscle or other tissue, there may be a risk of strangulation or obstruction your symptoms and the impact on your daily life – surgery may be recommended if your symptoms are severe or getting worse, or if the hernia is affecting your ability to carry out your normal activities your general health – surgery may be too much of a risk if your general health is poor Although most hernias will not get better without surgery, they will not necessarily get worse. In some cases, the risks of surgery outweigh the potential benefits. Surgery for a Hernia There are two main ways surgery for hernias can be carried out: open surgery – where a cut is made to allow the surgeon to push the lump back into the tummy keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery – this is a less invasive, but more difficult, technique where several smaller cuts are made, allowing the surgeon to use various special instruments to repair the hernia Most people are able to go home the same day or the day after surgery and make a full recovery within a few weeks. If your doctor recommends having surgery, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks, as well as the possibility of the hernia coming back. Make sure you discuss the benefits and risks of the procedure with your surgeon in detail before having the operation. Find out more To find out more about hernias, please contact the Manchester Hernia Clinic on 0161 495 7754 .

A hernia develops when a section of your intestine, or other tissue in your abdomen, pushes through a layer of muscle that has become weakened. Most often, this happens when part of your intestine pushes through your abdominal wall toward the outside of your body. This is called an external hernia, and it usually affects the lower abdomen and groin. Each type of hernia has different causes, which means that the steps you can take to prevent them will also be somewhat different. Not all hernias, though, are preventable. There are certain factors outside your control – such as prior abdominal surgery, and muscle weakness that you’re born with – that can lead to a hernia no matter what preventive steps you take. Groin- inguinal hernias and femoral hernias Belly button- umbilical hernias Previous operation site- incisional hernia You cannot prevent the weakness in the abdominal wall that leads to you getting a hernia but not smoking, avoiding constipation and maintaining a healthy weight should reduce the risk. Smoking can cause coughing, which can put pressure on your abdomen and lead to a hernia or worsen symptoms if you already have one. Constipation can lead to straining and increases pressure on the abdominal wall. You can avoid constipation by maintaining a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and fibre as well drinking plenty of fluids. Obesity places the abdominal wall under constant pressure from the excessive body fat. Losing weight will reduce the risk of developing a hernia but if you already have a hernia and need an operation having a healthy weight will certainly reduce the risk of a hernia coming back after its been repaired. Being physically active may help to prevent hernias, but other types of exercise can put too much pressure on your abdomen. Beneficial exercises which strengthen the core may include: Yoga Pilates Sit-ups or crunches Light weights Aerobic activities, like running or cycling Any type of exercise than involves very high levels of exertion may also increase your hernia risk. In particular activities to avoid include high impact activities such as jumping. Exercises such as squats or weight lifting can increase pressure on the abdominal wall. Fast or sudden twisting movements can also lead to muscle tearing. If you already have a hernia or have had a hernia repaired previously you can prevent them from getting worse or coming back if you follow these 5 simple points: Avoid heavy lifting if possible. If you need to lift heavy objects, use your legs and not your back. Don’t get constipated or have to strain during a bowel movement. Maintain a healthy weight. Don’t smoke. If you have a hernia or have recently had one repaired you should talk to your doctor, physiotherapist or personal trainer about any exercise that you’re considering. 10-15% of people who have had an abdominal operation will develop an incisional hernia. If you have had a recent abdominal operation, following this advice can also help to prevent you developing an incisional hernia at the operation site. Find out more To find out more about hernias, please contact the Manchester Hernia Clinic on 0161 495 7754 .