What better time than Hernia Awareness Month to brush up on information about hernias?
While most everyone has heard the term “hernia,” many people don’t recognize hernia signs or realize there are several different types. The hope is that by spreading the word about hernia symptoms and the minimally invasive surgical repair options, more patients will seek help in order to get back to an active, pain-free lifestyle.
The National Center for Health Statistics reports that about 5 million Americans have a hernia. They develop because of a weak spot in a wall of muscle. An organ or fatty tissue breaks through the weak area, creating a bulge. Hernias can be painful, and while some can be watched for a period of time before surgical treatment, they do not resolve on their own.
The most frequently reported hernia symptom is a bulge or lump that appears when standing up, laughing, crying, coughing, straining during bowel movements, heavy lifting, or bending over. Patients frequently report pain or weakness in the hernia area. The different types of hernia include:
- Inguinal hernia: Part of the intestine or other tissue bulges through the inguinal canal, which is located in the groin near the top of the inner thigh.
- Umbilical hernia: This second most common type of hernia occurs when fatty tissue or part of the bowel breaks through the abdominal wall near the belly button.
- Hiatal hernia: The diaphragm separates the chest from the abdomen. In hiatal hernias, part of the stomach bulges through the diaphragm and into the chest.
- Incisional hernia: These are fairly common after abdominal surgeries. Tissue protrudes through a poorly healed surgical site.
- Epigastric hernia: Tissue bulges through the abdominal muscle between the belly button and chest.
- Femoral hernia: These rare hernias typically affect older women. They are generally smaller than inguinal hernias and occur a bit lower down in the groin area. They develop in the femoral canal, which is where the femoral artery and vein flow into the thigh.
Hernias are usually diagnosed through a simple medical examination. If an exam doesn’t result in a definitive diagnosis, testing options include ultrasound, MRI, and CT scan.
Small, painless hernias can often be monitored for changes in size and symptoms. Once they grow or cause pain, Dr. Uecker helps patients determine which surgical option best suits their needs. He has extensive hernia repair experience and offers state-of-the-art robotic surgery, as well as open surgery and non-robotic laparoscopic options. Don’t let a hernia keep you on the sidelines! Having your hernia repaired by Dr. Uecker will get you back to the activities you love before you know it.
Did you know…?
- An estimated 1 in 4 men and 1 in 50 women will require surgery for an inguinal hernia during their lifetime.
- Femoral hernias are ten times more common in women, and they should always be surgically repaired because of the high risk of complications.
- 1 in 2,000 women will develop a hernia during pregnancy.
- Approximately 75% of all hernias occur in the inguinal region and are most common in men.
- More than 600,000 surgical repairs for hernias are performed in the US each year, making it one of the most common general surgical procedures in the country.
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John M Uecker, M.D. has been in practice in Austin since 2003. His practice focuses on the surgical treatment of hernias, gallstones, GERD, hiatal hernias and thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal tumors. He started and leads the robotic surgery program at Dell Seton Medical Center. Dr. Uecker is the Division Chief of minimally invasive surgery and an Associate Professor at the University of Texas Dell Medical School where he enjoys teaching medical students and residents.
