Abdominal hernia is a common disease. This pathology usually occurs with the same frequency regardless of age. This disease has many different types, in connection with this, each person should know exactly how this pathology manifests itself and what measures should be taken.
Basic information
A hernia of the abdomen is considered a disease. It is characterized by the prolapse of the organs of the abdominal region directly onto the surface of the abdomen. It is also possible prolapse through the hernial orifice. Under the hernial gate understand the clearings that form in the walls of the abdomen. Such a deformation may be of natural origin, but it can also occur as a result of trauma, after surgical interventions.
According to statistics, about five percent of the population suffers from a hernia of the white line of the abdomen. Often this pathology is diagnosed in men. They only account for as much as eighty percent of cases. The remaining twenty percent are observed in women and children. Herniais divided into several types, depending on the following factors:
- Location. For example, external and internal hernia are isolated.
- Localization of a hernia. Depending on this criterion, there may be an umbilical hernia of the abdomen, paraumbilical, inguinal, ventral, femoral, lumbar, obturator, and so on.
- According to the criterion of infringement, strangulation and obturation types are distinguished.
- Depending on the volume, a complete or incomplete hernia is allocated.
- In addition, there are special types of hernia, for example, congenital and wandering.
Causes of a hernia
Abdominal hernia never just happens. For it to form, several factors must act on the body at once. So, the favorable reasons are the following:
- The patient has a hereditary predisposition to this disease.
- Presence of congenital weakness in the muscles.
- Injured.
- The impact of surgery and exhaustion of the body.
There may be other causes that can lead to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. These are the following factors:
- Regular hard physical activity.
- Being overweight.
- The appearance of tumors directly on the internal organs of the abdominal region.
- Presence of persistent cough. This factor is relevant in the presence of lung diseases that occur in a chronic form.
- The appearance of disorders in urination.
- Occurrence of permanent constipation.
- Carrying a baby along with difficult childbirth.
- Presence of certain diseases, such as tuberculosis, cirrhosis, male prostate enlargement, paralysis of the legs, polio, and so on.
Next, we will find out what symptoms may be accompanied by the appearance of a hernia of the abdomen.
What are the symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of abdominal hernia can vary. These patients always experience discomfort. In this case, symptoms such as soreness, visual protrusion of the formation can be observed. It is most often seen when the patient is in a horizontal position. Other signs of the development of this pathology may appear in the form of the following symptoms:
- The appearance of a painful aching feeling of aching or pulling nature.
- Occurrence of urinary disorders.
- The appearance of various digestive disorders. For example, this pathology is often accompanied by bloating, and, in addition, signs such as diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, nausea and constant belching.
In case of the above symptoms of a hernia of the abdomen, you should urgently consult a doctor for help. The doctor must assess the patient's condition and conduct the necessary examination.
White line of the abdomen
The white line of the abdomen is a vertical muscular strip starting at the xiphoid process of the sternum and passing through the umbilical region. It ends at the pubic joint (pelvic part).
Widthtendon layer averages 2-3 mm, and its widest part reaches 20 mm. A hernia of the white line of the abdomen develops when the bundles of tendons diverge at the level of the navel.
In the area of such formations, the protrusion of the omentum and intestinal loops occurs. The width of the gap can reach several centimeters.
Stages of development of a hernia of the white line of the abdomen:
- Formation of preperitoneal lipoma.
- Transformation of a lipoma into a hernial sac.
- Formation of a hernia of the white line of the abdomen.
Diagnostics
Symptoms of abdominal hernia can be very different. But the most characteristic symptom is the appearance of a protrusion in the abdomen. At the same time, pain may occur during palpation. As a rule, pains at the given diagnosis have various character. Often they are pulling or aching.
In the event that there is a suspicion of a hernia of the white line of the abdomen, you should urgently contact a specialist. In order to identify this pathology, the patient is laid on his back, after which he is asked to take a deep breath. Along the line of the abdomen, you can see a small tubercle. To make a correct diagnosis, you should undergo an examination. As a rule, the survey involves the following procedures:
- Performing gastroscopy.
- Taking x-rays.
- Performing herniography. This technique consists in the procedure of introducing a contrast agent.
- Ultrasound examination.
All of the above methods help the doctor make a correct diagnosis, after which the patient is prescribed the required treatment for abdominal hernia in women and men.
Hernia treatment
Treatment directly depends on the type of disease, and, in addition, on the location. For example, if a patient has been diagnosed with a ventral hernia, then it will have to be removed with a surgical intervention.
Conservative treatment
This method of treatment is carried out in order to avoid the occurrence of complications, and, in addition, the possible growth of the neoplasm. Thanks to this treatment, the symptoms of the disease are mitigated. Apply conservative treatment in relation to those patients who are strictly contraindicated in the implementation of surgical intervention. So, conservative therapy consists of the following treatment methods:
- Administration of drug therapy.
- Taking action to eliminate the causes leading to increased intra-abdominal pressure.
- A patient follows a strict diet.
- Regular performance of various gymnastic exercises.
- Wearing a special bandage for patients.
- Performing therapeutic massages.
Surgery
Doctors say that only one type of hernia is able to disappear on its own. We are talking about an umbilical hernia that occurs in babies under the age of five. Other types of this disease always have to be treated. The way in which treatment should be carried out directly depends on the size of the hernia and the general course of the disease.
If the first symptoms appear, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible. The sooner a person visits a doctor, the better his recovery will be, and the likelihood of possible complications will decrease to almost zero.
What is the operation for a hernia of the white line of the abdomen?
It is removed by hernioplasty. There are three options for the operation:
- Stretching operation. As part of such an intervention, the hernia is completely removed, and the hole through which the operation was performed is tightened independently using its own tissue structure.
- Stretch-free operation to remove a hernia of the abdomen. In this case, implants made of polypropylene mesh are used to close the hole.
- Combined operation. As part of its implementation, a mesh and the patient's own tissue structure are used.
Most often in medical practice, doctors resort to the use of a combined technique. The advantage of such an operation is that the tissues do not stretch during it, and the propylene mesh creates a protective shell, which makes it possible to withstand any load.
Surgery for a hernia of the white line of the abdomen may be different.
Laparoscopy is very common for women. This type of procedure does not involve large incisions. In this case, it is enough to make an incision up to five millimeters long. In order to create a working space for patients, carbon dioxide is injected into the peritoneum. The doctors then administera device that is equipped with a flashlight and a video camera.
How quickly can you recover after removing a hernia of the abdomen?
Recovery of patients after surgery
The postoperative period involves the restoration of the whole organism. At this time, it is important to think about proper nutrition. In the event that a hernia of the white line of the abdomen occurs, the operation is performed urgently. At the same time, you can’t eat absolutely anything the day before it.
Immediately after the removal of a hernia of the abdomen of the white line, the patient should also not eat anything for two days. To avoid dehydration, the patient is allowed to wet the lips. After two days (in the event that the patient's condition has stabilized), you can already gradually start eating.
In the first few weeks after surgery to remove a hernia of the abdomen, you should only eat liquid foods in the form of cereals on the water, low-fat meat soups, broths, mashed vegetables and the like. Such patients can only drink water and compotes, they are also allowed green tea. In the event that the area of the incision begins to hurt, then you should check it for the appearance of infection. To avoid infection, antiseptic agents are used. Among other things, patients are prescribed painkillers by mouth.
After the patient is discharged, he should go to the attending physician for dressings within ten days. If something goes wrong, the doctor will be able to recognize the presence of adverse factors at any time and take appropriate measures toavoid complications.
The stomach after removal of a hernia will not return to normal very quickly.
The abdominal muscles need to be given some time to recover. As part of this, any physical activity should be completely excluded for several months. On average, the postoperative period after hernia removal lasts from one to four months. After surgery for a hernia of the abdominal line, patients should wear a bandage.
Other hernia treatments
It is impossible to cure a hernia of the abdomen with the help of folk methods. But after the operation, they help patients recover faster. In order to treat a wound, a decoction of chamomile should be used. As part of the restoration of digestive functions, infusions of sage, calendula or mint are used.
In the event that a hernia of the abdomen is detected in babies under five years old, then you can try to get by with massages. Massage movements make it possible to strengthen the umbilical ring, preventing organ prolapse.
At the end of the operating period, it is advisable to do special exercises. What kind of exercises should be done? This should be advised by the doctor. Gymnastics can help children too. With continued exercise, some patients are able to avoid surgery later.
Abdominal hernia: using a bandage
When using a bandage in the presence of a hernia, the following rules should be followed:
- The bandage should be worn inlying position.
- If a brace is recommended prior to surgery, the protrusion should be pushed into the abdomen with gentle pressure.
- The pad is placed in the area of the hernia.
- The bandage is wrapped around the torso, after which it is fixed with a sticky fixative.
- A correctly fixed bandage should fit the body, pressing the hernial formation. Against this background, the bandage should not squeeze the body too much or cause inconvenience.
To prevent the risk of developing this disease, you need to implement special preventive measures. In order to prevent hernia, pregnant women should wear a bandage. It is desirable to use it after childbirth in the event that the stomach does not subside. When there is excess body weight, all measures should be taken to reduce weight. For example, doing moderate exercise will strengthen your abdominal muscles. It is very important to watch your diet. In this regard, it should be noted that human nutrition should be balanced.
In the postoperative period, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations, following a special diet and avoiding any excessive physical activity. It is impossible to leave a hernia unattended and not treat it, since more serious complications may develop. Thus, one should understand the full danger of such consequences. Steps should be taken to repair the hernia at the first sign.
White abdominal hernia in children
Relates to the number of rare pathologies in children.
The risk of developing the disease increases afterfive years, but in most cases the disease occurs in adult patients.
Pathology causes suffering to the child and cannot develop asymptomatically.
Conservative treatment of a hernia of the white line of the abdomen in children is prescribed only with early diagnosis of pathology and the absence of a tendency to rapid development.
Drug therapy is carried out to eliminate additional symptoms.
The child may be prescribed pain medications, anti-inflammatory drugs appropriate for his age.
Such medicines do not affect the hernia, but alleviate the general condition.
Non-surgical methods of treating pathology:
- physiotherapy;
- acupuncture;
- massage treatments;
- wearing a brace;
- hernia reduction;
- proper nutrition;
- taking medication.
Forecast and prevention
With the regular wearing of a brace, many patients manage to avoid subsequent growth of the protrusion. But he cannot completely rid a person of a hernia. There are also preventive measures to overcome this disease, as well as prevent its development. It is required to reduce the load exerted on the abdominal region as much as possible. Thus, it is very important to refuse to carry various weights. In the event that a person’s work is associated with such loads, then it is better to find something else.
Hernias can occur due to constant constipation. In order to bring the chair back to normal, you need toyou should adjust your diet. The menu of each person should contain laxative foods, fiber and sour-milk food. In the event that the problem in the form of constipation does not disappear, you can drink laxatives in a course.
The basic rule is regular exercise. A sedentary lifestyle should be completely excluded. In the event that this advice is not followed, the abdominal wall will become very loose and emaciated. The likelihood of such damage is only increasing. But do not forget that playing sports and stress on the body should be moderate.
If you experience unpleasant symptoms or a bulge, you should immediately consult a doctor. The specialist will conduct the necessary examination and make the correct diagnosis, prescribing the appropriate treatment.
