TYPES OF HERNIA

Also called groin hernia, this is the protrusion of an organ like the intestine through the weaker tissues in the top of your inner thighs or groin area. Here, the bulge on one side of the pelvic bone is because the tissues have pushed through the abdominal wall and into the inguinal canal. 

It is mostly found in males and some may have no apparent cause.  Some other inguinal hernias may be a result of increased pressure within the abdomen.

Hiatal Hernia is the condition when the upper part of the stomach may slide into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus. Thus, this is a protrusion into lower part of the chest. There are 2 different types of hiatal hernia – sliding and paraesophageal hernia.

Hiatal Hernia is more common in women above 50 years of age and who are on the heavier side. There may be many causes like injury, pregnancy, changes with age, large hiatal since birth, etc.

Umbilical Hernia is when the protrusion of bowel , abdominal fat or omentum is near the navel area of the abdominal cavity. Doctors recommend treating it since it can result in a dangerous condition where the intestines can get strangulated.

It is most common in newborns, but can affect adults too. Causes of this hernia include multiple pregnancies, surgery, pressure due to weight lifting, etc.

Epigastric Hernia is the condition when the protrusion of the abdominal organ is anywhere between the breast bone and the navel. 

It affects women and men, both. It is caused due to weakened muscles between the navel and the sternum of the abdominal wall. Most common reason being prior pregnancy or obesity.

Incisional Hernia develops at the site of scar of a previous surgery and may occur anytime. Up to one-third of all ventral hernias are incisional.

This hernia is caused due to weakened muscles that may be due to age, obesity, surgery, etc. A scan is helpful in identifying this type of hernia.

Obturator Hernia occurs when the intestines protrude from the obturator foramen. It is a rare type of hernia that is very difficult to diagnose or accurately identify in the initial stages. Imaging scans help in diagnosing this type of hernia.

This hernia is most commonly seen in thin elderly women. Aging causes weakening and loosening of muscles that causes intestines to bulge from the obturator foramen.

Spigelian Hernia occurs when the abdominal contents bulge from the front abdominal muscles through a slit in the spigelian fascia, a layer of tissue in the front of the abdomen. This is another rare type of hernia that are difficult to diagnose.

This is most commonly seen in men above the age of 50. There may be many causes including prolonged illnesses, weakened abdominal muscles, constipation, obesity, etc.