A hernia is a part of an internal organ or tissue that protrudes from where it is normally located. We review the different types of hernias that exist: inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, hiatal hernia …
- Why do hernias come out?
- What is an inguinal hernia?
- What is a femoral or clural hernia?
- What is an umbilical hernia?
- What is a hiatal hernia?
- What is an epigastric hernia?
- What is an incisional hernia or eventration?
- What is a herniated disc?
A hernia occurs when part of an internal tissue or organ (such as the intestine) comes out of the place it normally occupies in the body.
Often, hernias cause no symptoms or only a small lump or bump is noticed in the affected area, which can be pushed in and come back out with exertion. Sometimes, however, tissue or intestine can become trapped (or “strangled”), which can cut off blood flow and cause a serious problem that requires immediate attention. There are different types of hernias, depending on the area where they appear in the body.
WHY DO HERNIAS COME OUT?
The cause of hernias is usually a combination of two factors:
- The pressure exerted on the area, which can be for various reasons, such as heavy lifting, constipation or having a persistent cough.
- An opening or weak spot in the muscle or connective tissue (fascia) that contains the organ or tissue. In some cases, weakness in the muscle is present from birth, but most often appears over the years.
The pressure pushes the organ or tissue through the opening or weak spot in the muscle.
Most commonly, hernias occur in the abdomen, between the chest and hips, but they can also appear in other parts of the body. Let’s look at some of the most common types of hernias.
WHAT IS AN INGUINAL HERNIA?
In an inguinal hernia, the intestine or other organ of the abdominal cavity protrudes through the groin, into the upper inner thigh, and may descend into the scrotum. The bump it causes is usually painless, increases in size when standing and decreases when lying down.
Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia and occur much more often in men than in women.
WHAT IS A FEMORAL OR CLURAL HERNIA?
Another type of hernia that appears in the inguinal region is the clural or femoral hernia. It also occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through the groin, but in this case not as close to the pubis as the inguinal. It appears just below the groin crease, in the part of the thigh where the femoral artery and vein exit the abdomen in the direction of the leg.
Femoral hernias are much less common than inguinal hernias and mainly affect women, especially pregnant or obese.
WHAT IS AN UMBILICAL HERNIA?
In an umbilical hernia, part of the small intestine protrudes through the belly, near the navel.
This type of hernia is common in newborns (affecting between 10% and 20%) and occurs because the opening of the belly has not closed properly after birth. In most cases it resolves on its own before the age of 5.
It also occurs frequently in women who are obese or who have had many children.
WHAT IS A HIATAL HERNIA?
Hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach protrudes into the chest through the hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen).
Although it often does not cause any symptoms, hiatal hernia can cause food and liquids not to be retained properly and to return upwards instead of down into the stomach; In this case, symptoms include heartburn, reflux, pain in the upper abdomen, or trouble swallowing.
It is not known for sure what causes hiatal hernias, but it is believed that the weakening of the diaphragm over the years to age or pressure on the abdomen may have a lot to do with it.
WHAT IS AN EPIGASTRIC HERNIA?
In an epigastric hernia, part of the intestine or the fatty tissue that covers it protrudes through the epigastric region (the pit of the stomach), between the navel and the lower part of the sternum.
It is three times more common in men and usually does not cause pain. The bump may be visible only when the person coughs, sneezes, or lifts weights.
WHAT IS AN INCISIONAL HERNIA OR EVENTRATION?
When part of the intestine protrudes through the abdominal wall at the site where an operation has previously been performed, we speak of incisional hernia or eventration.
- This type of hernia is more common in older or overweight people who have been inactive after having abdominal surgery.
WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISC?
Herniated discs occur when the vertebrae are displaced by overload or excessive pressure and squeeze an intervertebral disc, often pinching a nerve.
Most herniated discs occur in the lower back, but they can also occur in the neck (cervical hernia) or other parts of the spine.
In many cases, herniated disc causes no symptoms, but in others it can cause pain. Most often, symptoms improve over time without requiring surgery.
- Depending on the herniated intervertebral disc, it can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg.
