An abdominal hernia is caused when the fatty tissue or an organ will push the lining on the inside of the abdominal wall through a weakened part in the abdominal muscles. The area might be weakened due to age, birth, or past surgical incisions that have been made for other conditions.
The bulge that it creates will become very noticeable and can hold tissue, fat, and intestines. Doctors do have the ability to reduce the bulge by pushing the tissue or fat back into the abdominal cavity that it came from. If successful the hernia will become flat and will disappear all together. However, there is a chance that doctors may not have the ability to reduce it.
Being able to reduce it will depend on how far it is sticking through the abdominal wall and how well the abdominal muscles are holding it in. If the hernia is not able to be reduced they will repair it with surgery. Without surgery the hernia – which might contain intestine – can lose its supply of blood and die because of strangulation. Strangulation from an intestine can block digestions, cause immense pain, and gangrene in the area of the intestine. Emergency surgery will help to repair it.
There are several treatments to use for abdominal hernias:
Traditional Repair Surgery
Traditional hernia repair surgery is when the surgeon will make an incision in the wall of the abdomen close to the hernia. They will move the hernia back into the abdomen and close it while repairing and making the damaged part of the abdominal wall even stronger.
Hernia Repair Surgery
This is the most effective and most popular method of treatment that doctors will prescribe for patients. There are risks still involved in this surgery as with any surgery. However, if the surgery is successful you will have no more pain and discomfort from the hernia.
Laparoscopy
During laparoscopy a fiber optic viewing tube and other instruments are used to help repair the hernia. During this procedure you will not have to worry about a large surgical incision being made. You will recover faster than if you were to use surgery.
Supportive Truss
There is a special garment that is used that helps to reduce the symptoms and causes of a hernia. This is called a truss. It is an elastic brief or band that will hold the hernia into the abdomen and keep it flat. While this can keep the hernia from sticking out it will not cure it.
Abdominal Hernia Symptoms
Pain while coughing
Pain when lifting anything
Bulge underneath the akin near the abdomen
Pain during bowel movements
Pain after sitting or standing for long periods of time