Hernia

                                                    Hernia

  The immediate reaction on seeing any abnormal swelling or lump in the body, particularly one that does not subside and is located in a sensitive part, is to go in for surgery and have it removed. In case of hernia too, surgery is often considered the only option by the patients. Homeopathic remedies for Hernia can effectively treat the condition and that too without any side effect. 

What is Hernia???

  In medical terms, the protrusion of an organ or a part of an organ through an abnormal opening in the wall of the cavity that normally contains it is referred to as Hernia. The main cause of hernia is the weakness of the abdominal muscles. This can either be congenital or acquired. The congenital weakness of abdominal muscles is present since birth and the acquired muscle weakness result from various factor like surgical incisions, repeated pregnancy, excess fat in the abdomen, chronic cough, constipation, and even excessive weight lifting. Homeopathic medicine, which is sourced from natural substances and is completely safe with zero side effects, are of great help in curing various types of hernia. A hernia occurs when there is a weakness or hole in the peritoneum, the muscular wall that usually keeps abdominal organs in place. This defect in the peritoneum allows organs and tissues to push through, or herniate producing a bulge. The lump may disappear when the person lies down, and sometimes it can be pushed back into, coughing may make it reappear. 

Types of Hernia:

 Inguinal Hernia:
  
 This is commonest types of hernia. It can occur in infants or adults and since the swelling is in the groin, the panic button is pressed quite easily. In an inguinal hernia, a part of abdominal contents, mainly intestines, protrudes through the inguinal region of the abdominal wall. The inguinal region is present in the groin. 

Umbilical Hernia:

 This Hernia is more common in females than males and also in infants. In umbilical Hernia, the abdominal contents bulge out from the umbilicus or navel of the abdomen. 

Femoral Hernia:

 This hernia is also more common in female and very uncommon in children. In femoral hernia, the abdominal contents protrude through the femoral canal present in the upper inner thigh region. 

Obstructed/ Incarcerated Hernia:

  In this type of hernia, the lumen of the intestine(colon) gets obstructed, leading to intestinal obstruction. 

Strangulated Hernia: 

 In this type of hernia, the arterial supply of the contents of hernia stops along with intestinal obstruction. Femoral Hernia is most liable to get strangulated. 

Causes:

  With the exception of an incisional hernia(A complication of abdominal surgery), in most cases, there is no obvious reason for a hernia to occur. The risk of hernia increases with age and occurs more commonly in men than in women. A hernia can be congenital or develop in children who have a weakness in their abdominal wall. Activities and medical problems that increase pressure on the abdominal wall can lead to a hernia 

 These include:

 - Straining on the toilet (due to long term constipation)
 - Persistent cough 
 - Cystic fibrosis
 - Enlarged prostate
 - Being overweight or obese
 - Abdominal fluid
 - Lifting heavy items
 - Peritoneal dialysis
 - Poor nutrition
 - Smoking
 - Physical exertion
 - Undescended testicles.

Risk factors for hernia:

 The risk factors can be broken down by hernia type:

Incisional hernia risk factors:

    Because of an incisional hernia is the result of surgery, the clearest risk factor is a recent surgical procedure on the abdomen. People are most susceptible 3-6 months after the procedure, especially if

    They are involved in strenuous activity, have gained additional weight, become pregnant, these factors all put extra stress on tissue as it heals. 

Inguinal hernia risk factors:

 Those with a higher risk of an inguinal hernia include:

- Older adults
- People with have had inguinal hernias previously
- Males
- Smokers, as chemicals in tobacco weakness tissues, making a hernia more likely. 
- People with chronic constipation. 
- Premature birth and low birth weight
- Pregnancy 

Umbilical hernia risk factors:

Umbilical hernias are most common in babies with low birth weight and premature babies. In adults, the risk factors include
- Being overweight 
- Having multiple pregnancies
- Being female

Hiatal Hernia risk factors:

 The risk of hiatal hernia is higher in people who
- Are aged 50 years or over
- Have obesity 

Symptoms of Hernia:

 The main symptoms of Hernia are swelling or formation of a lump. In an inguinal hernia, the swelling appears in the groin. In femoral hernia, the swelling appears in the upper inner thigh region and an umbilical hernia, the swelling is apparent around the navel. Swelling is often accompanied by discomfort or a dragging type of pain around the swelling. In the case of obstructed or strangulated hernia, abdominal colic, vomiting, distended abdomen, and constipation are the main symptoms. 

 Most people can feel a bulge where an inguinal hernia develops in the groin. There may be a burning or sharp pain sensation in the area because of inflammation of the inguinal nerve or a full feeling in the groin with activity. If a hernia occurs because of an event like lifting a heavy weight, a sharp or tearing pain may be felt. However, many people do not have any complaint other than a feeling of fullness in the area of the inguinal canal. pain and nausea and vomiting, signaling the possible development of a bowel obstruction. Fever may be associated with strangulated, dead bowel. Only one part of the bowel obstruction initially, since the passageway of the intestine still allows bowel contents to pass, but that portion of bowel wall that is trapped can start to swell, strangulate and die. 

 Femoral and obturator hernias present in much the same way as inguinal hernias, though because of their anatomic location, the fullness or lumps may be much more difficult to appreciate. Umbilical hernias area easy to appreciate and in adults often pop cut with an increase in abdominal pressure. The complications again include incarceration and strangulation. 

  A hiatal hernia does not cause many symptoms by itself, but when a sliding hernia occurs, the abnormal location of the gastroesophageal junction above the diaphragm affects its function and stomach contents can reflux into the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux may cause burning chest pain, epigastric pain and burning in the upper abdomen nausea, vomiting, and a sour taste from stomach acid that washes into the back of the throat. 

 A sports hernia is a tear or strain of any tissue in the lower abdomen or groin. It causes pain in the groin or inguinal area. It can involve any soft tissue, including muscle, tendon, or ligament and can be initiated by physical activity, usually involving twisting or blunt force to the abdomen. 

Diagnosis:
  
 For inguinal hernias, most patients notice a feeling of fullness or a lump in the groin area with pain and burning. The physical examination can usually confirm the diagnosis. Femoral or obturator hernias are more difficult to appreciate and symptoms of recurrent inguinal or pelvic pain without obvious physical findings may require a CT scan to reveal the diagnosis. Umbilical hernias are much easier to locate with the bulging of the belly button. 

 Hernias that are incarcerated or strangulated present a greater challenge since the potential complication of dead bowel increases the urgency. The health care professional seeks clues of obstruction, including a history of pain, nausea, vomiting., or fever. During a physical examination, a doctor may often discover that a patient has a markedly tender abdomen. 

 These hernias are often exquisitely tender and film. The exam may be enough to suspect incarceration or strangulation and require immediate consultation with a surgeon. Doctors may be able to diagnose Hiatal hernias associated with GERD by learning a patient's medical history during his or her physical exam. A chest x-ray can reveal part of the stomach within the chest. If there is concern about complications including esophageal inflammation, ulcer, or bleeding, a gastroenterologist may need to perform an endoscopy. 

Hernia complication:

 The major complication of a hernia is incarceration, where a piece of bowel or fat gets sac and cannot be reduced. Swelling can occur to the point that blood supply to the tissue is lost and it dies. This is called a strangulated hernia. 

If a hiatal hernia is large, part of the stomach and esophagus can disease into the chest. Depending up the situation and anatomy, the stomach can twist potentially leading to strangulation. This is a surgical emergency. 



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