By SALIM AMRANI, MDHernias occur when the stomach, intestines, or other organs in your abdomen poke through a tear or weak spot in the muscle. A hernia might feel like a lump in your groin or belly. The bulge often hurts or get bigger when you cough, lift something heavy, or strain to go to the bathroom.
Some people are born with hernias. Others develop them because they are overweight, lift heavy objects, have chronic coughs or constipation, or play sports involving fast twists and turns such as hockey and tennis. Your organs also can push through a scar if you’ve had surgery on your abdomen.
Identifying a Hernia
The different types of hernias occur in different areas of the body:
- Groin hernias are more common in men.
- Women are more likely to have femoral hernias. These occur on the upper thigh.
- Babies often have umbilical hernias. These form when the muscles around the belly button don’t join properly.
- Hiatal hernias can cause heartburn or acid reflux disease. They develop when the stomach bulges upward through a wall of muscle into the chest.
Treatment Stops the Pain
Talk with your doctor if you think you have a hernia. Some hernias, including groin hernias in men, don’t need to be treated until they begin causing pain.
Surgery often is needed to relieve symptoms. It also prevents what is called a strangulated hernia. This rare but serious complication occurs when the misplaced organ loses its blood supply and dies.
Your surgeon will move the organs back to the right spot. Then, he or she may sew a piece of mesh or a tissue graft into the muscle. Most hernia operations are successful. Few people get another hernia later.
If you suspect you may have a hernia, talk to your primary care physician. You can also contact Los Alamos Surgical Associates for a consultation at 505.661.3030.
