Hernia

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Types of hernia

The following types of hernias are distinguished:

An abdominal hernia is an abnormal spread of the contents of the abdominal cavity, most often along with the loops of the intestines, beyond the anatomical areas. During a hernia, a bulge in the peritoneal membrane is formed. Positive pressure in the abdominal cavity increases during physiological reflexes, such as coughing, urination or urination. During these situations, the abdominal muscles work to create the so-called abdominal press. It is a physiological process of significant importance for the proper functioning of the body, its changed conditions are the cause of hernia formation.

The appearance of an abdominal hernia is related to, inter alia, with weakening of the abdominal wall after operations or after great physical exertion. As a result of an epigastric hernia, adipose tissue is released through weakened places in the connective tissue located between the navel and the breastbone.

An inguinal hernia is a bulging of the peritoneum, i.e. the lining of the abdominal cavity. An inguinal hernia appears as a result of weakening of the abdominal muscles. It causes abnormal movement of organs or their parts outside the abdominal cavity in the groin area. This type of hernia develops around the inguinal canal. The most common content of the inguinal hernia sac is the network of the small intestine. An important factor that influences the development of hernia is the disturbance of the synthesis and maturation of the connective tissue protein (collagen).

The causes of inguinal hernia also include diseases of the large intestine and lung diseases associated with frequent coughing. People who are overweight, who smoke cigarettes and perform heavy physical work are particularly vulnerable to inguinal hernia. At a young age, an inguinal hernia may appear as a result of rapid growth and insufficient development of the abdominal muscles. On the other hand, in old age, the cause of a hernia is relaxation of the abdominal muscles.

Symptoms of an inguinal hernia include lower abdominal pain and a bulge, usually enlarging when coughing. Depending on the location of the hernia's exit from the abdominal cavity, a simple inguinal (medial) hernia can be distinguished, which does not pass through the inguinal canal. The second type is the oblique inguinal hernia (lateral hernia) that goes through the inguinal canal to the scrotum. The most dangerous complication in patients with hernia is entrapment of the intestinal loop and intestinal necrosis. In this situation, immediate operation is necessary.

A femoral hernia is a protrusion of the preperitoneal or parietal peritoneal fat and its contents. The femoral hernia forms in the femoral canal, where the vessels under the inguinal ligament are located along with the femoral nerves. The gate for a femoral hernia is in the deep femoral ring. The hernial sac can pass through the femoral canal up to the saphenous hiatus (femoral ring).

A characteristic symptom of this type of hernia is pain in the upper groin area and the medial surface of the thigh. At the site of the disease, a bulge is visible, which appears at the time of the abdominal pressure, during high physical activity. Femoral hernia most often affects women, especially those who are pregnant or after giving birth. The wider pelvic anatomy, as well as the flabby tissues within it, favor the appearance of a hernia.

Umbilical hernia arises as a result of a decrease in the strength of the abdominal integuments. It causes abnormal displacement of abdominal organs or parts of them through the open umbilical ring. It is one of the most common hernias in newborns. It is formed after the umbilical ring has not grown together after birth. Mostly children with low birth weight and premature babies are exposed to it.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, discomfort around the navel and a visible bulge.

How umbilical hernia surgery works - Read more

A neural tube hernia is damage to the neural tube that occurs early in utero. A hernia of a neural tube includes:

a cerebral hernia, which is a protrusion of the brain tissue resulting from a defect in the skull bone. It contributes to the impairment of mental functions.
hernia of the spinal cord - a congenital defect of the spine resulting from incorrect positioning of the vertebrae surrounding the structure of the spinal cord.
A peristomal hernia is a bulge in the form of a tumor that grows with time. It is classified as a hernia arising after surgery. The gate is located in the external oblique muscles of the abdomen. It is most noticeable during physical activity or during sneezing and coughing.

A hiatal hernia is the movement of a part of the stomach from the abdomen to the chest through the hiatus of the diaphragm. The hiatal hernia can be divided into a sliding hernia, where the esophagus-gastric junction is located above the diaphragm, and the peri-oesophageal hernia, which is the protrusion of a part of the stomach, and the esophagus-gastric junction is below the diaphragm. Most often, a hiatal hernia is asymptomatic, although it can sometimes cause lower abdominal pain, heartburn and belching. The risk of a hiatal hernia increases with age. It is related to the relaxation of the esophageal muscles (upper and lower sphincter).

A hernia of the white line (epigastric) is a weakening of the connective tissue strand that connects the abdominal muscles. The reasons for the formation of a white border hernia include, inter alia, collagen metabolism disorders and weakening of the abdominal muscles. It is common in men and pregnant women. It manifests itself with pain and bulging.

Other types of hernias are:

- Richter's hernia involves entrapment of a section of the intestinal wall.
- Littré's hernia is classified as an inguinal hernia, the content of which is the Meckel's diverticulum, i.e. the remnant of the umbilical-mesenteric fetal duct.
- Amyand's hernia is classified as an inguinal hernia, the content of which is the appendix.
- de Garengeot's hernia belongs to the femoral hernia, the scope of which includes the appendix.

Hernia is one of the most common human diseases. That is why it is so important to take care of your health. You should lead a healthy lifestyle and try to limit hard physical work. Thanks to new technologies, the hernia can already be detected in the prenatal period. Abdominal hernias are the most common in newborns. On the other hand, in elderly people there is an inguinal hernia. The main symptoms for all types of hernias are pain and a characteristic bulge at the site of the hernia formation.

Source:

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