Hernias …. occur when an organ especially small intestine protrudes through a weakened spot or tear in the abdominal wall. Hernias are commonly caused by a combination of muscle weakness and increased abdominal pressure. Risk factors that strain the abdominal wall include lifting heavy weights, exercise, strain during bowel movement from constipation, strain during urination from BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and persistent cough from smoking.
Hernias cause a bulge or lump in the affected area such as groin (inguinal hernia), umbilicus (umbilical hernia) or surgical incision which is not properly closed (incisional hernia). Hernias can be particularly felt during standing up, bending down or coughing. The most common symptoms are pain or discomfort (usually at lower abdomen), weakness or heaviness in the abdomen, burning or aching sensation at the bulge.
If the protruding intestine is not pushed back in place, the contents of hernia might be trapped in the abdominal wall, then becoming strangulated which cuts off blood supply to surrounding tissue that is trapped. If it is left untreated, a strangulated hernia can lead to life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis (severe inflammation of intestine) and sepsis. In order to reduce severity and complications of hernias, hernia repair surgery (herniorrhaphy or hernioplasty) to return the displaced intestine to proper position is highly recommended.
