Hernia is categorized by a bulging mass of tissue or an organ pushing through walls of the muscle(s) holding it in. There are several different types of hernia, most commonly known is that of the abdomen in the shape of an abnormal mass sticking out through groin, causing pain and discomfort. Hernia won’t heal on its own, so hernia treatment is mandatory.
Prof. Dr. M. Nadeem Aslam is a general surgeon in Lahore, who specializes in helping patients with general and Laparoscopic Surgeries. In this session with oladoc, he talks about the hernia problem, in particular – causes of hernia, risks associated, and hernia treatment.
Q.1: What is Hernia and what are its types?
Hernia is a defect; it’s increasingly common among males and females in today’s age. It occurs when abdominal fat gets stuck in the muscles, in extremely serious cases it can even cause intestines to rupture. There are several factors that can contribute to hernia.
Strenuous physical activities from an early age, multiple pregnancies for women or short intervals between pregnancies, general weakness of muscles due to lack of exercise are common causes.
Abdominal surgeries if not properly stitched.
Q.2: What are the risk factors of Hernia?
The most paramount factor with this regard is obesity; it weakens the muscles. In older ages, chronic respiratory diseases such as constipation or persistent bad cough can cause increased pressure in the groin. This pressure eventually weakens the abdominal wall, leading to Hernia. In children, Hernia is usually caused by defects at the time of birth which the body usually heals itself over time.
Q.3: What are common symptoms of Hernia?
Patients usually complain of a bulge because it is cosmetically new for them. If there is the fat content in the bulge, it can be extremely painful and in extreme cases, it can even cause intestinal obstruction leading to vomiting and pain. In such cases, immediate attention is necessary otherwise intestines can even be ruptured.
Exercise routines are advised to help prevent Hernia; especially pregnant women are advised to tone muscles before and after delivery. I strongly encourage expectant mothers to adopt an exercise regime.
Q.4: What are the treatment options for Hernia?
Since Hernia is a defect, it cannot be eliminated by medicine; it has to be eliminated through surgical procedures. There are a lot of different surgeries depending on each case. However, recently a lot of doctors place mesh in the bulge which results in unsuccessful treatment and Hernia becomes recurrent.
Q.5: What are your suggestions for a Hernia patient?
I always encourage my patients to ask questions so they can make an informed decision about the treatment we opt for. Discussions with my patients ensure that we are both onboard, which is why I recommend my patients not to rush into surgery. I even sometimes recommend them to get a second opinion, so that they know the treatment performed will be the best in their interest. A healthy doctor-patient relationship is extremely important in such cases of Hernia.
If you want to learn more about hernia, watch the full video below. Moreover, consult a general surgeon right away if you have any concerns.
Book an appointment with a top general surgeon through oladoc.com, or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT professional for your concerns.
