Hernias: Diagnosing, Treating and Preventing

badboyslayer · 06-29-2005, 08:22 AM

Originally posted by JOEYZ @ musclesci

The Various Types of Hernias:

Inguinal Hernias

Inguinal (pronounced: in-gwy-null) hernias are more likely to occur in guys than girls. More than 70% of all hernias that occur are inguinal hernias, which means that a part of the intestines protrudes through an opening in the lower part of the abdomen, near the groin, called the inguinal canal. In guys, the inguinal canal is a passageway between the abdomen and the scrotum through which a cord called the spermatic cord passes (the testicles hang from the spermatic cord). In girls, the inguinal canal is the passageway for a ligament that holds the uterus in place. Nearly all cases of inguinal hernias in teens and kids are due to a congenital defect of the inguinal canal. Instead of closing tightly, the canal leaves a space for the intestines to slide into.

If you have an inguinal hernia, you might be able to see a bulge where your thigh and your groin meet. In guys, the protruding piece of intestine may enter the scrotum, which can cause swelling and pain. Other symptoms of an inguinal hernia might include pain when you cough, lift something heavy, or bend over.

Umbilical Hernias

Umbilical hernias are common in newborns and infants younger than 6 months. They occur when part of the intestines bulge through the abdominal wall next to the belly button. In babies with umbilical hernias, parents may see bulging around the belly button area when the baby cries. Unlike other types of hernias, umbilical hernias may heal on their own, usually by the time a baby is 1 year old. In other cases, umbilical hernias will heal by the time a child is 4. If not, surgery can repair the hernia.

Epigastric Hernias

In an epigastric (pronounced: ep-ee-gas-trick) hernia, which is also called ventral hernia, part of the intestines protrude through the abdominal muscles located between the belly button and the chest. It's mostly males that have to worry about this type of hernia - about 75% of epigastric hernias occur in males. People with this type of hernia may notice a lump. Surgery is a common way to fix this problem.

Incisional Hernias

If you've had surgery in your abdominal area, you might experience this type of hernia. In incisional hernias, part of the intestines bulge through the abdomen around a surgical incision. In this case, surgery is what weakened the muscle tissue in the abdomen. This type of hernia requires surgery to repair.

Hiatal Hernias

This type of hernia occurs at the opening of your diaphragm where your esophagus (the pipe that food travels down) joins your stomach. If the muscle around the opening to your diaphragm becomes weak, the uppermost part of your stomach can bulge through the diaphragm. Hiatal (pronounced: high-ate-ull) hernias are common, especially in people older than 50, even though small ones don't usually cause any symptoms. Unlike the other types of hernia, you won't be able to see a bulge on the outside of your body, but you might feel heartburn, indigestion, and chest pain. Hiatal hernias can be treated with medication and diet changes, but sometimes require surgery.

What Do Doctors Do?

If you notice a bulge or swelling in your groin, abdomen, scrotum, or thigh, you should talk to your doctor. Sometimes a hernia may also cause sharp or dull pain and the pain may worsen when you are standing.

With most types of hernias, including inguinal, umbilical, epigastric, and incisional, your doctor will be able to see and feel the bulge and diagnose you with a hernia.

Except for umbilical hernias in babies, hernias don't just go away on their own - you must talk to your doctor and receive treatment. Over time, your hernia may become larger and more painful, and in some cases, a piece of the intestine could become trapped (this is known as incarceration - think "stuck in jail"). In a true surgical emergency the blood supply could be cut off to the incarcerated intestine (this is known as strangulation - think "I can't breathe!"). This situation is painful and dangerous because it can cause infection and death of the strangulated tissue, so it's important to call your doctor.

If you notice redness or discomfort around your incision after hernia repair surgery, be sure to let your doctor know - it could be a sign of infection that will require further treatment.

Can Hernias Be Prevented?

Because it's difficult to know whether you have the congenital defect that can lead to a hernia, it's easier to prevent the strain that could bring a hernia your way. Here are a few tips for keeping hernias from hurting you:

Stay at a healthy weight for your height and body type. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian about a healthy eating and exercise program if you think you are overweight or obese.
Make fruits, veggies, and whole grains a "regular" part of your diet. Not only are these foods good for you, but they're packed with lots of fiber that will prevent constipation and straining.
Be careful when weight lifting or lifting heavy objects. Make sure you lift weights safely by using an appropriate amount of weight. If you have to lift something that's heavy, bend from your knees, not at your waist, or don't lift it at all.
See your doctor when you're sick. If you have a persistent cough from a cold or you sneeze a lot because of allergies, see your doctor about cough or allergy medicines.
Kick the habit. Smoking can cause persistent coughing, which can strain your abdominal muscles, so it's just one more reason to quit.

**schroeder** · 06-29-2005, 03:54 PM

hey great post bro. it's funny you posted this now because i just had an inguinal hernia fixed less than 48 hours ago. hernias are not hard to diagnose (trust me i knew the second it happened) and the methods used for fixing them have greatly improved recovery time over the past few years. if you think you mgiht have one get it looked at....there's no need to be a tough guy about it. it may have you out of the gym for a month or so, but why risk your helath over it?

overall strengthening of the abdominal muscles (especially lower) can be used to prevent inginual hernias (most common form). it was once believed that straight-leg sit-ups were the best form of exercise, but it was later found that regular sit-ups along with leg raises (flutter kicks) are more beneficial.

**warriors** · 06-29-2005, 05:09 PM

nice post

Dan · 06-29-2005, 05:27 PM

Great info!!!

Pj-Macx · 06-29-2005, 10:05 PM

Great Info badboy.... I have had 3 of those in my life time.. 2 umbilical (these I dont remember cause I was a baby)... and one Inguinal and this one hurt.. I knew exactly when I did it.. and as schroeder has said.. it will keep ya out of the gym for about a month.. but they are nothing to play around with... you dont want the possiblity of it getting strangulated.. which will be huge problems for you if it happens..

06-29-2005, 08:22 AM	#1
badboyslayer Amateur Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 68 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 4	Hernias: Diagnosing, Treating and Preventing Originally posted by JOEYZ @ musclesci The Various Types of Hernias: Inguinal Hernias Inguinal (pronounced: in-gwy-null) hernias are more likely to occur in guys than girls. More than 70% of all hernias that occur are inguinal hernias, which means that a part of the intestines protrudes through an opening in the lower part of the abdomen, near the groin, called the inguinal canal. In guys, the inguinal canal is a passageway between the abdomen and the scrotum through which a cord called the spermatic cord passes (the testicles hang from the spermatic cord). In girls, the inguinal canal is the passageway for a ligament that holds the uterus in place. Nearly all cases of inguinal hernias in teens and kids are due to a congenital defect of the inguinal canal. Instead of closing tightly, the canal leaves a space for the intestines to slide into. If you have an inguinal hernia, you might be able to see a bulge where your thigh and your groin meet. In guys, the protruding piece of intestine may enter the scrotum, which can cause swelling and pain. Other symptoms of an inguinal hernia might include pain when you cough, lift something heavy, or bend over. Umbilical Hernias Umbilical hernias are common in newborns and infants younger than 6 months. They occur when part of the intestines bulge through the abdominal wall next to the belly button. In babies with umbilical hernias, parents may see bulging around the belly button area when the baby cries. Unlike other types of hernias, umbilical hernias may heal on their own, usually by the time a baby is 1 year old. In other cases, umbilical hernias will heal by the time a child is 4. If not, surgery can repair the hernia. Epigastric Hernias In an epigastric (pronounced: ep-ee-gas-trick) hernia, which is also called ventral hernia, part of the intestines protrude through the abdominal muscles located between the belly button and the chest. It's mostly males that have to worry about this type of hernia - about 75% of epigastric hernias occur in males. People with this type of hernia may notice a lump. Surgery is a common way to fix this problem. Incisional Hernias If you've had surgery in your abdominal area, you might experience this type of hernia. In incisional hernias, part of the intestines bulge through the abdomen around a surgical incision. In this case, surgery is what weakened the muscle tissue in the abdomen. This type of hernia requires surgery to repair. Hiatal Hernias This type of hernia occurs at the opening of your diaphragm where your esophagus (the pipe that food travels down) joins your stomach. If the muscle around the opening to your diaphragm becomes weak, the uppermost part of your stomach can bulge through the diaphragm. Hiatal (pronounced: high-ate-ull) hernias are common, especially in people older than 50, even though small ones don't usually cause any symptoms. Unlike the other types of hernia, you won't be able to see a bulge on the outside of your body, but you might feel heartburn, indigestion, and chest pain. Hiatal hernias can be treated with medication and diet changes, but sometimes require surgery. What Do Doctors Do? If you notice a bulge or swelling in your groin, abdomen, scrotum, or thigh, you should talk to your doctor. Sometimes a hernia may also cause sharp or dull pain and the pain may worsen when you are standing. With most types of hernias, including inguinal, umbilical, epigastric, and incisional, your doctor will be able to see and feel the bulge and diagnose you with a hernia. Except for umbilical hernias in babies, hernias don't just go away on their own - you must talk to your doctor and receive treatment. Over time, your hernia may become larger and more painful, and in some cases, a piece of the intestine could become trapped (this is known as incarceration - think "stuck in jail"). In a true surgical emergency the blood supply could be cut off to the incarcerated intestine (this is known as strangulation - think "I can't breathe!"). This situation is painful and dangerous because it can cause infection and death of the strangulated tissue, so it's important to call your doctor. If you notice redness or discomfort around your incision after hernia repair surgery, be sure to let your doctor know - it could be a sign of infection that will require further treatment. Can Hernias Be Prevented? Because it's difficult to know whether you have the congenital defect that can lead to a hernia, it's easier to prevent the strain that could bring a hernia your way. Here are a few tips for keeping hernias from hurting you: Stay at a healthy weight for your height and body type. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian about a healthy eating and exercise program if you think you are overweight or obese. Make fruits, veggies, and whole grains a "regular" part of your diet. Not only are these foods good for you, but they're packed with lots of fiber that will prevent constipation and straining. Be careful when weight lifting or lifting heavy objects. Make sure you lift weights safely by using an appropriate amount of weight. If you have to lift something that's heavy, bend from your knees, not at your waist, or don't lift it at all. See your doctor when you're sick. If you have a persistent cough from a cold or you sneeze a lot because of allergies, see your doctor about cough or allergy medicines. Kick the habit. Smoking can cause persistent coughing, which can strain your abdominal muscles, so it's just one more reason to quit. __________________ "There are powers inside of you which, if you could discover and use, would make of you everything you ever dreamed or imagined you could become" - Orison Swett Marden "When I disagree with a rational man, I let reality be our final arbiter; if I am right, he will learn; if I am wrong, I will; one of us will win, but both will profit" - Ayn Rand Die Young. Die Strong. Dianabol NIGHTHEAT@hushmail

06-29-2005, 03:54 PM	#2
schroeder Der Leutnant Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: tacoma, wa Posts: 884 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 17	hey great post bro. it's funny you posted this now because i just had an inguinal hernia fixed less than 48 hours ago. hernias are not hard to diagnose (trust me i knew the second it happened) and the methods used for fixing them have greatly improved recovery time over the past few years. if you think you mgiht have one get it looked at....there's no need to be a tough guy about it. it may have you out of the gym for a month or so, but why risk your helath over it? overall strengthening of the abdominal muscles (especially lower) can be used to prevent inginual hernias (most common form). it was once believed that straight-leg sit-ups were the best form of exercise, but it was later found that regular sit-ups along with leg raises (flutter kicks) are more beneficial. __________________ Live from Baghdad! Ich bin gross und stark!

06-29-2005, 05:09 PM	#3
warriors The world is yours Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,127 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 29	nice post __________________ Not Around...

06-29-2005, 10:05 PM	#5
Pj-Macx Pro Stature Join Date: May 2005 Location: 632 HP SS Posts: 3,337 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 68	Great Info badboy.... I have had 3 of those in my life time.. 2 umbilical (these I dont remember cause I was a baby)... and one Inguinal and this one hurt.. I knew exactly when I did it.. and as schroeder has said.. it will keep ya out of the gym for about a month.. but they are nothing to play around with... you dont want the possiblity of it getting strangulated.. which will be huge problems for you if it happens.. __________________ Co-Owner @ BodyBuildingXtreme 2002 Navy Blue Metallic Camaro SS "The Blue Ghost" # 10354 -=LME LSX 454ci built for N20=-

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06-29-2005, 05:27 PM	#4
Dan Unpaid Trash Collector Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,725 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 26	Great info!!!