ABDOMINAL HERNIAS

What are abdominal hernias?
An abdominal hernia occurs when an internal organ protrudes through a weakening in the muscle or fascia of the abdominal wall.

There are many types of abdominal hernias namely:

• Epigastric hernia: This hernia occurs because of a weakness in the midline of the abdominal wall where the two rectus muscles join together between the breast bone and the belly button. It appears as a bulge in the upper abdominal area. Parts of the intestine or fat from the intestine can become trapped in this type of hernia and cause pain.
• Umbilical Hernias cause an abnormal bulging in the area of the belly button. The intestines may push through a weakened area in the abdominal muscles at the belly button. They are common in infants and young children but can also occur during adulthood and then are more likely to need surgical repair.
• Incisional Hernias occur as a complication of previous abdominal surgery. The muscles although repaired may have a relative area of weakness which then allows internal organs like the intestines to push through the weakened area.
• Inguinal Hernias are the most common of all the abdominal hernias. They appear as a bulge in the groin area on coughing or sneezing. The hernia occurs when a part of the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles in the groin. The bulge can be painful especially if you cough or lift heavy objects. Some people experience a burning or aching sensation in the groin. If they are painful or enlarging, they should be surgically repaired.
• Femoral hernias will appear as a bulge near the groin or thigh. The femoral canal houses the femoral artery and vein and nerve. It is located just below the crease between your abdomen and thigh. When a portion of tissue pushes through the wall of the femoral canal, it called a femoral hernia. These are more common in women than men but overall are very rare hernias.