Don’t Settle for Hernia Pain

More common than you may think, every day, many Americans suffer from abdominal pain caused by a hernia. Fortunately, it’s not something to suffer through. St. Joe’s offers the latest hernia treatment with less pain, less scaring and faster recovery.

Curious if the discomfort you’ve been feeling may be a hernia? A hernia is a weakness or opening in the muscles of your abdominal wall. Sometimes this muscle weakness is present at birth, other times, it occurs later in life. Hernias are a common problem for men, women and children. Although they are often not life-threatening, hernias do not go away without treatment. Signs and symptoms of a hernia can include a bulge, discomfort, nausea or pain.

Common Causes of a Hernia

Hernias can be caused by a variety of factors. Sometimes they are congenital, due to a prior surgery or pregnancy.

Nancy Wright had a hernia form several years after kidney surgery. When she had bariatric surgery, Eric Davies, MD found that her bowels were wrapped about her colon causing a hernia. After she recovered from bariatric surgery, Nancy scheduled surgery to have her hernia fixed.

“I was pleased with my care before and after my surgery,” said Nancy. Dr. Davies performed the surgery robotically, leaving Nancy with small incisions and a shorter recovery time. “Now that my recovery time is over, I’m back to working out and living an active lifestyle,” said Nancy.

Types of Hernias

There are several types of hernias, but the most common are inguinal and ventral hernias. Inguinal hernias can be congenital or acquired. They occur when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the wall of your lower abdomen, inguinal canal or groin area. Inguinal hernias are more common in men. A ventral hernia occurs when intestines bulge through an opening of the abdominal wall above the groin area. Many ventral hernias are incisional hernias because they form at the site of a past surgical incision.

Tips to Avoid Hernias

Although a hernia can be congenital or caused from a prior surgery, it can also be caused by any pressure in the abdomen.

Try to avoid the following to prevent a hernia:

1. Lifting heavy objects

2. Constipation or diarrhea

3. Persistent coughing or sneezing

4. Obesity

5. Poor nutrition

6. Smoking

Don’t settle for nausea, pain or discomfort in the groin. Request an appointment with a St. Joe’s hernia expert today.