Sakit Hernia/ Sakit Angin Pasang
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Types of Hernias
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Types of Hernia:-
Hernia, which is commonly known as
sakit hernia or sakit angin pasang is a popular sickness in Malaysia. However,
not many people understand much about this disease.
Types of Hernia:-
1. Inguinal Hernia
- The most common type of hernia, where they make up about 70
percent of all Hernia.
- These hernias occur when the intestines push through a weak
spot or tear in the lower abdominal wall, often in the inguinal canal.
- More common in men than in women.
2. Hiatal Hernia
- A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach protrudes
up through the diaphragm into your chest. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle
that helps you breathe by contracting and drawing air into the lungs. It
separates the organs in your abdomen from those in your chest.
- Most common in patients over 50 years old.
- Hiatal hernias always cause gastro esophageal reflux,
when the stomach contents leak backward into the esophagus, causing a burning
sensation.
3. Umbilical Hernia
- Occurs in children and babies under 6 months old.
- This happens when their intestines bulge through their
abdominal wall near their bellybutton. You may notice a bulge in or near your
child’s bellybutton, especially when they’re crying.
- Disappeared on its own, typically by the time the child is 1
year old. If the hernia has not gone away by this point, surgery is required.
4. Incisional Hernia
- Incisional hernias can occur after you’ve had abdominal
surgery.
- Your intestines may push through the incision scar or the
surrounding, weakened tissue.
Hernias are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and
strain. Depending on its cause, a hernia can develop quickly or over a long
period of time.
Common causes of muscle weakness include:
- failure of the abdominal wall
to close properly in the womb, which is a congenital defect
- age
- chronic coughing
- damage from injury or surgery
Factors that strain your body and may cause a hernia,
especially if your muscles are weak, include:
- being pregnant, which puts
pressure on your abdomen
- being constipated, which causes
you to strain when having a bowel movement
- heavy weight lifting
- fluid in the abdomen
- sudden gaining weight
- persistent coughing or sneezing
Am I at Risk for a Hernia?
The factors that increase your risk of developing a hernia
include:
- a personal or family history of
hernias
- being overweight or obese
- a chronic cough
- chronic constipation
- smoking, which can trigger a
chronic cough
- Cystic fibrosis can also
indirectly increase risk of developing a hernia. Cystic fibrosis impairs
the function of the lungs, causing a chronic cough.
What are the symptoms of a Hernia?
The most common symptom of a hernia is a bulge or lump in
the affected area. You can feel your hernia through touch when you’re standing
up.
If your baby has a hernia, you may only be able to feel the
bulge when he or she is crying. A bulge is typically the only symptom of an
umbilical hernia.
Other common symptoms of an inguinal hernia include:
- pain or discomfort in the
affected area (usually the lower abdomen), especially when bending over, coughing,
or lifting
- weakness, pressure, or a
feeling of heaviness in the abdomen
- a burning, gurgling, or aching
sensation at the site of the bulge
Other symptoms of a hiatal hernia include:
- acid reflux
- chest pain
- difficulty swallowing
How Is a Hernia Diagnosed?
Inguinal or incisional hernias are usually diagnosed through
a physical examination. Your doctor
may feel for a bulge in your abdomen or groin that gets larger when you stand,
cough, or strain.
If you have a hiatal hernia, your doctor may diagnose it
with a barium X-ray or
endoscopy. These tests allow your doctor to see the internal location of your
stomach:
- A barium X-ray is a series of
X-ray pictures of your digestive tract. The pictures are recorded after
you’ve finished drinking a liquid solution containing barium, which shows
up well on the X-ray images.
- An endoscopy involves
threading a small camera attached to a tube down your throat and into your
esophagus and stomach.
If your child has an umbilical hernia, your doctor may
perform an ultrasound. An
ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the
structures inside the body.
Treatment Options for a Hernia
Whether or not you need treatment depends on the size of
your hernia and the severity of your symptoms. Your doctor may monitor your
hernia for possible complications. Treatment options for a hernia include:
Lifestyle Changes
Dietary changes can often treat the symptoms of a hiatal
hernia. Avoid large and heavy meals, don’t lie down or bend over after a meal,
and keep your body weight in a healthy range.
If these changes in diet don’t eliminate your discomfort,
you may need surgery to correct the hernia. You can also improve symptoms by
avoiding foods that cause acid reflux or heartburn, such as spicy foods and
tomato-based foods. Additionally, you can avoid reflux by losing weight and
giving up cigarettes.
Medication
If you have a hiatal hernia, over-the-counter and
prescription medications that reduce stomach acid can relieve your discomfort
and improve symptoms. These include antacids,
H-2 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors. Please consult your
doctor and pharmacist for the appropriate medications.
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| Hernia supports |
Hernia supports and braces may help to relieve the symptoms as well. These products
are designed
to keep the protruding tissue in place and relieve discomfort. However, it is
not a replacement for medical care.
Surgery
If your hernia is growing larger or causing pain, your
doctor may decide to go for surgery. Your doctor may repair your hernia by
sewing the hole in the abdominal wall closed during surgery. This is most
commonly done by patching the hole with surgical mesh.
Hernias can be repaired with either open or laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic
surgery uses a tiny camera and miniaturized surgical equipment to repair
the hernia using only a few small incisions. Laparoscopic surgery is less
damaging to the surrounding tissue.
Open surgery requires a longer recovery process. You may be
unable to move around normally for up to six weeks. Laparoscopic surgery has a
much shorter recovery time. However, the risk of your hernia reoccurring is
higher. In addition, not all hernias are suitable for laparoscopic repair,
including those in which a portion of your intestines has moved down into the
scrotum.
Preventing a Hernia
You can’t always prevent the muscle weakness that allows a
hernia to occur. However, you can reduce the amount of strain you place on your
body. This may help you avoid a hernia or keep an existing hernia from getting
worse. Prevention tips include:
- stop smoking
- seeing your doctor when you’re
sick to avoid from developing a persistent cough
- maintaining a healthy body
weight
- avoiding straining during bowel
movements or urination
- lifting objects with your knees
and not your back
- avoiding lifting weights that
are too heavy
Potential Complications of a Hernia
If left untreated, your hernia may grow and become more
painful. A portion of your intestine could become trapped in the abdominal
wall. This can obstruct your bowel, causing severe pain, nausea, and
constipation. An untreated hernia can also put too much pressure on nearby
tissues, which can cause swelling and pain in the surrounding area.
If the trapped section of your intestines doesn’t get enough
blood flow, strangulation occurs. This can cause the intestinal tissue to
become infected or dead. A strangulated hernia is life-threatening and requires
immediate medical care.
