Hernia can be explained as the outward sliding of tissue or muscles in their natural space and in a sense protrusion. Hernia, as it is known in the society, can occur in many parts of the body. At the same time, we can say that it is one of the most common health problems among the people. Of course, it is a disorder that can seriously affect a person’s daily life. The fact that it causes pain and restricts mobility causes many people’s work life to be negatively affected due to hernia. We will clarify all the questions, such as how the hernia problem is treated and what happens if it is not treated. First, let’s talk about the answer to the question of what causes hernia.

What Causes Hernia?

Hernia does not occur due to only one reason. We can say that many different factors can cause hernia formation. The most common causes are as follows:

  • Standing for long periods of time
  • Lifting heavy loads
  • To do heavy duty, which requires physical strength and is very stressing on the body.
  • Surgical incisions
  • Chronic cough problem
  • Pregnancy
  • Constant straining due to chronic constipation
  • Fluid accumulation in the abdomen
  • Gain weight quickly

Of course, new reasons can be added to these reasons. Sometimes, we can say that a hernia problem may occur due to some specific reasons. However, the most common causes around the world are as listed above.

What are the types of hernia?

The most common types of hernia are as follows:

  • Inguinal hernia
  • Femoral hernia
  • Umbilical hernia
  • Incisional hernia
  • Epigastric hernia
  • Hiatal hernia (part of the stomach leaking into the esophagus)
  • Spinal hernias such as lower back or neck

How Is Hernia Treated?

How the hernia is treated varies depending on which part of the body it occurs. It is generally thought that treatment can only be done with surgical intervention. However, successful results can be obtained with methods such as exercise and physical therapy, as well as medication. If these treatment options are tried, but a successful result cannot be obtained, then surgical intervention, that is, surgery, can be decided. However, sometimes, considering the condition of the hernia and the body area it affects, a surgical intervention decision can be taken immediately. It is not possible to heal hernias in some body parts with methods such as physical therapy. Surgery is also performed in order to ensure that the patient gets rid of his problems as soon as possible.

How is Hernia Surgery Performed?

In general, we can say that hernia surgery can be performed with two different techniques. These are the open method and the closed method. Generally, if the patient’s condition is suitable, the laparoscopic method, that is, the closed method, is preferred. In this way, the surgery is completed in a shorter time and the recovery period of the patient is also much shorter. If the open method is preferred, an incision between 4 cm and 7 cm is applied to the area where the hernia is present. Through this incision, the area of ​​the hernia is reached. After the removal of the hernia, it may sometimes be necessary to apply a patch. Nowadays, since self-adhesive patches are preferred, an extra stitch application may not be required for the patch.

In the closed method, there is no need to make a long incision on the skin as in the open technique. Only 3 small holes are made in the skin. With the help of these holes, the hernia area is reached. We can say that during the operation, assistance was obtained from the micro camera. Thus, the operation is completed in a short time without any problems. Since a long incision is not applied to the skin, the recovery period of the patient is also shorter. At the same time, we can say that the recovery period is completed with much less pain.

Of course, the surgery is performed under general anesthesia. No matter which method is preferred, since general anesthesia is applied, it is not possible for the patient to feel pain  during hernia surgery. The duration of the operation may vary depending on which method is preferred and which part of the body the hernia is located in. For this reason, we cannot talk about the exact time of the operation. Mostly, patients can go home after 1 day of clinical rest. However, they also need to rest for a few days at home and avoid movements that force their bodies in this process.

How to Get Rid of Inguinal Hernia?

Inguinal hernia is one of the common hernia types in the society. It can be seen only on the right or left side of the groin, or it can be seen in both regions. We can say that it is a type of hernia that occurs mostly with the increase of the internal pressure of the abdomen. The region where the internal ring is located on the anterior wall of the abdomen, where the spermatic cord is located in men, and the ligamentum rotundum, one of the ligaments holding the uterus in women, is where the hernia occurs. Because the opening in this region is weaker than the abdominal wall. Therefore, hernia formation can easily occur. We can give the following examples of the causes of inguinal hernia:

  • Chronic constipation
  • Lifting heavy
  • Constantly pushing
  • Prostate enlargement in men
  • Asthma
  • Chronic cough
  • Increased intra-abdominal pressure for any reason
  • Being overweight

Surgical intervention is usually required for inguinal hernia to pass. We can also say that the only solution is surgery, especially in advanced hernia cases. In very rare cases, different treatment options may be considered. However, in case of failure, the solution will still be surgery.

Does it Relapse?

One of the most curious things for those who have had a hernia problem before is the recurrence of hernia. Unfortunately, we cannot say that a hernia does not recur. Even if it has been treated with physical therapy or surgery before, there is a possibility of recurrence of the hernia. The risk of hernia reoccurring in the same place is low, mostly after surgical treatment. However, it is also possible to have a hernia in a different region. For this reason, we can say that hernia is among the health problems that are likely to recur.

What Happens If Hernia Is Not Treated?

Especially those who have inguinal hernia problems often wonder what will happen if they are not treated. Hernia is a progressive disease and if left untreated, it also expands in size. As a result, almost all patients complain of pain. It can spoil the appearance of the body, and more importantly, it can cause serious health problems. We can say that it is a common condition to grow over time, especially in inguinal hernias. Do not forget that there may be risks such as hernia strangulation and intestinal knotting.

Patients generally try to live with movement limitation only when they feel pain during some movements. However, it is ignored that untreated hernias can cause much more serious problems. Because it can lead to very serious complications, patients must be treated. Instead of taking these risks, it would be a much better choice to get rid of hernia with a simple treatment process.