What Is A Hernia?

For most individuals, hernias can seem like they appeared out of nowhere and the cause is often unknown. Essentially, all hernias result from a natural opening or weakness of fascia or muscle, combined with pressure. Increased pressure in the abdomen is commonly caused by pregnancy, obesity, diarrhea, constipation, persistent sneezing, a bad cough or lifting heavy objects without stabilizing the abdominal muscles. The pressure squeezes an organ or fatty tissue until it protrudes through the opening, or weak spot, into surrounding connective or muscle tissue. Unfortunately, hernias are an unnervingly painful, yet extremely common medical condition. While nearly 5 million Americans suffer from abdominal hernias, only roughly 700,000 will seek medical treatment for their condition each year.

Common Hernia Types

According to WebMD, the most common types of hernia are:

1. Inguinal hernia: A type of hernia that develops in the inner groin area as the intestine or bladder squeezes through the abdominal wall into the groin’s inguinal canal. Inguinal hernias account for approximately 96 percent of all groin hernias. Men are particularly susceptible to this type of hernia due to natural weakness in the groin area.
2. Femoral hernia: These hernias come about when the intestine protrudes the canal which carries the femoral artery into the upper thigh. This type of hernia is most frequently found in obese and pregnant women.
3. Umbilical hernia: This type of hernia is common in newborn babies and women who have had multiple children. Umbilical hernias occur when part of the small intestine squeezes through the abdominal wall around the navel. Umbilical hernias in babies may heal themselves within a few years, making surgery unnecessary.
4. Incisional hernia: An incisional hernia occurs when the intestine pushes through the abdominal wall at the location of prior abdominal surgery. Incisional hernias are most common in overweight and elderly individuals who are sedentary post abdominal surgery.
5. Hiatal (or hiatus) hernia: Hiatal hernias occur when the upper stomach pushes through the hiatus, a cavity in the diaphragm which the esophagus goes through.

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Some hernias do not have any symptoms, but if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. When hernias are left untreated, they can lead to more severe and even life-threatening conditions. Some hernias can be diagnosed through a physical examination. Usually, doctors can feel the hernia by placing their hands over it and pushing down.

Additionally, ultrasounds may be utilized to detect femoral hernias, while X-rays or CT-scans in the abdominal area can verify bowel obstruction. One of the main risks with hernias is that the blood supply of the protruding organ can get cut off and cause the tissue to die and/or become infected. Strangulation of organs can also cause intestinal perforation, shock, gangrene or even death.

For all hernias, except for umbilical hernias in babies, conventional hernia-repair surgery, also known as herniorrhaphy, is the standard treatment. Herniorrhaphies involve the repositioning of the herniated tissue and the damaged muscle wall is typically repaired with a synthetic mesh. The hernia mesh is supposed to help make the organ wall stronger so that the tissue cannot protrude through again. If the patient has endured strangulation of any organs, the surgeon may remove the damaged portion. Every year, over one million hernia repair operations are performed in the United States. Most hernia repair surgeons utilize laparoscopic techniques using only a tiny camera and a few small incisions. Advances in surgical procedures have transformed most herniorrhaphies into minimally invasive outpatient procedures. In general, minimal recovery times are needed and total recovery takes around three to four weeks without any infections or other major complications.

If you, or a loved one, have undergone hernia repair surgery and suffered serious health problems afterward, you should contact Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his top rated team of Buffalo, New York hernia repair surgery injury lawyers at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. to learn more about your legal rights. You may have a legal right to compensation for the complications and health problems that you have suffered. We are dedicated and determined to get you the best possible result after your injuries in Buffalo, New York and throughout New York State. We can be reached 24 hours per day and 7 days per week at 716-839-3939. Call us today!

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 716-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!