Hernias can occur anywhere in the body where tissue is weak. Abdominal hernias are the most common and can be easily identified and treated. Some hernias occur inside the body and can lead to complications. It is important to surgically repair hernias to prevent complications. Different types of abdominal hernias include inguinal, femoral, umbilical, and epigastric hernias. Internal hernias include perineal, diatal, and diaphragmatic hernias. Spinal disc herniations, anal hernias, and sports hernias are other types of hernias.
Hernias can appear anywhere in the body where the tissue is weak and therefore potentially vulnerable to the hernia. Abdominal hernias are the most common and best known type of hernia and are usually easy to identify and treat. While many types of hernia cause a characteristic swelling and pain that make diagnosis fairly straightforward, some types of hernia occur inside the body, where the hernia may not be apparent until after a complication such as strangulation has developed. .
A hernia occurs when an internal organ or pocket of fatty tissue pushes through the material that is supposed to protect and hold it in place. In a classic example of a hernia, the intestine pushes through the abdomen, creating an abdominal hernia. The hernia can occur in a previously weakened site, such as an area where surgery has occurred, or it can occur as a result of prolonged strain and stress. In all cases, it is important to surgically repair the hernia to prevent complications.
Abdominal hernias, which involve the intestines or fat in the abdomen, can be divided into several types of hernia. Inguinal hernias, which occur around the ground area, account for about three-quarters of all abdominal hernias. In femoral hernias, a bulge appears lower down the body, while umbilical hernias cause a characteristic bulge in the belly button. In an epigastric hernia, fatty tissue works its way through the muscles between the belly button and chest.
Some types of internal hernias include perineal hernias, in which internal organs push through the pelvic floor, and diatal and diaphragmatic hernias, which involve weakening of the diaphragm. In these hernias, the stomach and other internal organs can push up into the chest, compressing the lungs and making breathing difficult. Some people are born with diaphragmatic hernias and require immediate surgery to correct this life-threatening birth defect.
Spinal disc herniations occur when the hard outer shell that normally protects spinal discs weakens, allowing the soft material inside to leak out. These types of hernias can cause considerable pain and long-term damage if not addressed, as they can lead to pinched nerves. Anal hernias are characterized by a swelling that appears around the anus, sometimes inside the body and sometimes on the outside.
In a so-called “sports hernia”, people experience chronic pain in the groin and a widening of the inguinal canal. True hernia does not occur in these cases, but the condition can feel like a hernia and is often treated with the same surgical techniques used to address real hernias.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN