Do you also have a hernia? Don't worry, let's simply educate ourselves about this!

Have you ever felt a small lump in your abdomen or groin? Especially when you lift something heavy, cough, or strain while using the toilet, it may pop out and then go back in when you lie down for a while. This is what many of us call a 'stomach ache', but medically it is called a hernia. Although some people are scared when they hear this name, it is a very common condition. So today we will talk about it all in a simple way that you can understand.

What exactly is a hernia?

Simply put, a hernia is a protrusion of an organ or tissue inside our body through a weakness or hole in the muscle wall surrounding it.

Think of it this way. A car has a tire, and inside it is a tube. Now, if there is a weak spot somewhere in the tire, what happens when you inflate the tire? The tube pops out like a little bubble from that weak spot, right? That's how it is. The abdominal wall is like the tire. The organs inside, like the intestines, are like the tube. When the abdominal wall is weak, the organs inside pop out. This is what we call a hernia.

These can occur in various parts of the body.

• Below your chest, through the diaphragm.
• In the groin area, through the lower part of the abdominal wall.
• In the middle of the stomach, across the navel or above/below it.
• From a scar from a previous surgery.

What are the main types of hernias?

Hernias are divided into different types depending on the location and cause of their occurrence. You may have heard of some of these. Let's look at the table below to understand these main types clearly.

What are the symptoms of a hernia?

Not all hernias cause symptoms, but there are some common signs that can be seen.

The main symptom is a visible lump or bulge . This is not always visible.

• When you lift a weight.
• When you cough loudly, when you sneeze
• When you pee in the toilet
• While standing

At times like this, you'll see this lump coming out. When you lie down again, or when you press the lump with your finger, it goes back in.

In addition, you may feel pressure, heaviness, or a dull ache in the area. However, some hernias, such as a hiatal hernia, are not visible. However, they can cause symptoms such as persistent chest pain and difficulty swallowing.

What are the risk factors for developing a hernia?

We now know that a hernia is caused by a weakness in the muscle wall. So there are several reasons why this weakness can occur, or the pressure inside the abdomen can increase and cause a hernia to protrude.

• Continuous heavy lifting: People who do heavy lifting and lifting jobs are at higher risk because the pressure on the abdomen is constantly high.
• Chronic cough: The persistent cough of people with asthma and smokers puts constant pressure on the walls of the stomach.
• Constipation: Constant straining while going to the bathroom also increases pressure on the stomach.
• Obesity: As body weight increases, the pressure on the abdominal wall also increases.
• Pregnancy: The abdominal wall can become stretched and weakened, especially when having multiple children.
• Previous surgeries: There is a higher chance of muscle weakness in the area where abdominal surgery was performed.
• Aging: Muscles naturally weaken as we age.

These are the main reasons why adults develop hernias. There are also several reasons why babies can develop hernias from birth. For example, premature birth and some other birth defects can cause hernias.

Can a hernia be serious? When should you be concerned?

This is the most important part. Usually, a hernia is not dangerous. But there are two situations where it can be serious.

1. Incarceration: A part of the intestine that has come out cannot go back in and becomes stuck in the outside. When this happens, the area can become very painful, swollen, and may cause vomiting. It can also cause bowel movement to be obstructed (bowel obstruction).

2. Strangulation: This is even more dangerous. If the blood supply to the blocked part of the intestine is cut off, that part will begin to die (Necrosis or Gangrene). This is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency surgery.

So, if you have a hernia, be very careful about the following symptoms. If any of these occur, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.

How is a hernia treated?

The doctor will examine you and decide on treatment after confirming that you have a hernia. Sometimes, they may also perform a test such as an ultrasound scan.

Often, the only permanent solution to a hernia is surgery . Because, unlike umbilical hernias in young babies, other hernias do not heal on their own. Over time, they are more likely to get bigger and develop complications.

However, if your hernia is very small and not causing any pain or discomfort, your doctor may take a "wait-and-watch" approach. However, surgery is more likely to be required in the end.

How is the surgery performed?

The surgery is very simple. The part of the organ that has been pushed out is put back in place and the weakened muscle wall is strengthened. This is sometimes done with stitches or using a special mesh called ``Surgical mesh`` to strengthen the area.

Now there are different ways to perform this surgery:

• Open Surgery: Surgery performed traditionally, with a slightly larger incision.
• Laparoscopic Surgery: This is also called 'keyhole surgery.' It is performed through only a few small incisions and a camera is inserted, so it heals faster and is less painful.
• Robotic Surgery: This is similar to laparoscopic surgery, but the surgeon performs the surgery using a robotic arm.

Your doctor will explain to you which method is best for you. These are very common and successful surgeries in the world today. So don't be unnecessarily afraid of them.

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