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When a Hernia Happens
Men, women, and children of all ages can have hernias. A hernia is a weakness or tear in the wall of the abdomen. It is sometimes called a "rupture." How does a hernia happen? Acquired hernias are caused by wear and fear over the years. Congenital hernias result from a weakness in the abdominal wall that is present at birth. Hernias may get worse or grow larger with time or physical stress.
Noticing a Bulge
It's often easy to tell if you have a hernia. You may notice a bulge under your skin. You may also feel pain when you lift, cough, or strain during urination or bowel movements. The pain may be sharp or sudden or both. In some cases, it may be a dull ache. The pain may get worse near the end of the day or after you stand for a long time.
Laparoscopic Repair
Your doctor may recommend laparoscopic surgery to repair your hernia. The laparoscope is a tiny "telescope." It lets your doctor see inside your body during surgery. Laparoscopy has been used with success for years in many types of surgery, including hernia repair. The results have been quite good. Laparoscopic surgery offers many benefits over open surgery. There is less pain, a faster recovery and tiny scars instead of a long scar.
Back to an Active Life
The tiny incisions from laparoscopic surgery will heal quickly. It's likely that you'll be back to normal in a week or so, free of the pain and worry your hernia caused you. |
