Hernia is a protrusion of a tissue, structure, or part of an organ through the muscle tissue or the membrane by which it is normally contained.
It usually occurs due to a tear of the muscle holding the organ in place or due to a weak attachment of the organ to the supporting muscle.
Hernias are common in abdomen. Types of hernias are abdominal hernia, femoral hernia, pelvic hernia, inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, incisional hernia and diaphragmatic hernia.
Hernia is caused due to muscle weakness. If there is increased pressure inside an organ and the surrounding muscles are weak or they are weakened, hernia is caused.
In pregnancy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ascites and benign prostatic hypertrophy there is an increase in the intra abdominal pressure which can lead to abdominal hernia.
Increase in intracranial pressure can cause herniation of the brain parts through narrow portion of the cranial cavity.
Increase in pressure on inter vertebral discs can cause disc herniation. Disc herniation may be due to lifting heavy weight or lifting weight with inappropriate technique.
Other causes for hernia are undescended testicles, overweight/obesity, chronic cough, cystic fibrosis, enlarged prostate, straining while urination or bowel movements and chronic constipation.
Scars from the previous surgery, pregnancy, loosing weight by obese people, some medical conditions and family history are the risk factors for hernia.
Pain may or may not be there in hernia. Other symptoms may be palpable lump or the organ dysfunction of the involved organ. There may be pain in groin which aggravates on lifting or bending, lump in groin or scrotum or lump which is not tender (this is especially seen in children).
If hernias are not treated they may cause obstruction, irreducibility, strangulation, inflammation, hemorrhage, hydrocele formation of the hernial sac, gangrene, organ dysfunction, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome or death.
If there are symptoms of hernia with fever, nausea and vomiting; hernia becomes red, dark, purple or discolored; the hernia is pushed back with gentle pressure; groin pain, swelling in groin or bulge in groin then one must call the health care provider immediately.
Loosing weight if necessary, following proper weight lifting techniques, avoiding constipation by high fiber diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and regular physical exercise can prevent hernia.
