Hernia - Groin Hernias, Abdominal Hernias, Hiatal Hernia, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Brain Herniation, Disc Herniation
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A hernia occurs when an organ or tissue bulges out of its proper location. Hernias can occur in numerous locations throughout the body, including the brain, abdomen, groin, spine, and chest. The most common types will be discussed below.
Hernias can be either congenital or acquired. Congenital means that the individual was born with an abnormal opening, allowing the hernia to occur. Such a hernia may show up immediately after birth, may cause no symptoms for years to come, or may never result in symptomatology. An acquired hernia is one which was not present at birth, but which occurred later, either due to some other anatomical abnormality, or due to weakening of an area with use and aging.
Hernias which involve loops of intestine, or other abdominal contents, may be reducible, meaning that the individual can push on the bulging area with a hand to move the intestine back into the abdomen. When a hernia cannot be reduced, it is said to be incarcerated. The greatest risk with any hernia containing intestine is strangulation, in which the hernia is incarcerated, and blood supply to the intestine is cut off. This is a medical emergency, and without surgical intervention, an area of the intestine may well die off.
Additional Topics
Most people, when they hear or use the word hernia, are referring to an inguinal hernia (the inguinal area, also called the groin, is that area where the thigh and the abdomen meet), in which a loop of the intestine has passed through a weak muscular area. There are three main types of groin hernias: direct inguinal, indirect inguinal, and femoral. These are classified according to the anatomical …
A hiatal hernia occurs when a portion of the stomach protrudes above the diaphragm (the diaphragm is the large, sheet-like muscle which should separate the contents of the chest from the contents of the abdomen). The majority of hiatal hernias (90%) are of a type causing reflux, which occurs when the acidic contents of the stomach wash up the esophagus (the esophagus is the tube which should only …
Diaphragmatic hernias can be congenital, or acquired through trauma (for example, a knifing). Congenital
An illustration of an epigastric (abdominal) hernia in an adult male. The torso is shown with its skin removed. Epigastric hernia is caused commonly by a congenital weakness in muscles of the central upper abdomen; the intestine bulges out through the muscle at a point between the navel an…
The spine is made up of individual bones, the vertebrae, separated from each other by a disc to provide insulation and cushioning. Disc herniation, or a slipped disc, occurs when the interior area of the disc breaks through the outer area of the disc, and pushes into the spinal canal, or when the entire disc becomes displaced from its normal positioning. Disc herniation occurs most commonly in the…
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User Comments
23 days ago
There is a good description of hiatus hernias and treatments. However there is nothing about diet; yet foods can have a major impact and I understand treatment can include dietary changes. Could you please add to this a list of foods to be avoided and those that can be safely eaten. Is it also possible to link this to recipe suggestions?
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