A hernia is a common medical condition, but a person can develop many different types of hernia. Most hernias occur when an internal body part pushes through an opening or weakness in the surrounding muscle or tissue, commonly in the abdomen or groin. This results in a lump or bulge that comes and goes depending on different activities and body positions.
Our general surgery specialists are on hand to discuss any concerns regarding suspected or confirmed hernias and your treatment options.
Inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernias are the most frequently developed type of hernia and affect more men than women. These hernias happen when fatty tissue or part of the bowel or intestine pokes into the inguinal canal, a passageway running down the inner thigh.
A bulge around the groin at the top of the thigh is the most frequently experienced symptom, and they are associated with ageing and strain on the stomach. In many cases, inguinal hernias do not cause problems unless they grow and, therefore, require surgery. However, they can be painful when coughing, bending over, or lifting heavy objects.
Femoral hernia
While less common than inguinal hernias, femoral hernias also occur when fatty tissue or part of the bowel protrudes into the groin. They happen in the femoral canal, which runs underneath the inguinal canal, and mainly affect women.
These types of hernia typically occur due to ageing and continuous strain on the stomach. Femoral hernias are often unproblematic unless they stop blood flow to the intestines, which is called a strangulated hernia. In this case, surgery would be required immediately.
Umbilical hernia
When fatty tissue, such as part of the intestine or the bowel, protrudes through the stomach near the belly button, it is known as an umbilical hernia. This type of hernia is usually present at birth and mostly affects babies. However, in children, umbilical hernias often disappear before age five.
Umbilical hernias can occur when the opening in the stomach, where the umbilical cord passes through, does not seal properly after birth. Sometimes, adults can develop an umbilical hernia, potentially due to repeated strain on the tummy. Females are more likely to develop these types of hernias than men.
Hiatus hernia
Hiatus hernias can happen when some of the stomach is pushed into the chest after squeezing through an opening in the diaphragm. Although common, particularly in the over-50s, this type of hernia does not always present symptoms.
A hiatus hernia does not have a confirmed cause, but there is a possibility they are more likely to happen when the diaphragm weakens with age. A typical hernia bulge is the key symptom to look out for, alongside a feeling of heartburn or bloating and acid reflux. Treatment for a hiatus hernia often includes medication and a diet change, but surgery may be required if symptoms persist.
Diaphragmatic hernia
Similarly to a hiatus hernia, a diaphragmatic hernia occurs when abdominal organs move into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm. These hernias are rare and can affect anyone, but they are mainly found in babies.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernias are a serious birth defect and happen due to the diaphragm not closing fully during fetal development. In many instances, diaphragmatic hernias are diagnosed in routine ultrasound scans during pregnancy but will be operated on after birth when a baby’s heart and breathing are stable.
Incisional hernia
If a person has undergone abdominal surgery, it’s possible to develop an incisional hernia. This is where tissue enters the stomach or abdominal wall through a surgical wound that has not fully healed.
The risk of developing an incisional hernia is heightened if, after surgery, you participate in excessive or early exercise, gain a large amount of weight, become pregnant, or increase abdominal pressure before the wound is healed.
Epigastric hernia
An epigastric hernia occurs in the upper abdomen when fatty tissue pokes through the stomach, commonly between the belly button and lower breastbone. Weakened abdominal muscles or tissues may contribute to this type of hernia, and they can occur in both adults and children.
Epigastric hernias do not often present with symptoms other than a typical bulge but can sometimes cause pain in the epigastric region. It’s also possible to develop more than one epigastric hernia at a time.
Spigelian hernia
This rare type of hernia happens when part of the bowel protrudes through the stomach, typically below the belly button and at the side of the abdominal muscle.
Small spigelian hernias may not cause issues, but if they continue to grow, there is a possibility of blocking the intestine or cutting off its blood supply. In these circumstances, surgery is required to repair the hernia.
Muscle hernia
A muscle hernia can happen when part of a muscle pokes through tissue. These types of hernias are most common among athletes and are usually found in the lower leg muscles after a sports injury.
While mostly asymptomatic, muscle hernias can cause cramping or pain in the affected area, particularly after physical activity. Conservative treatment is often recommended for muscle hernias, such as rest, light activities, and sometimes, supportive stockings.
Perineal hernia
When organs or tissue poke through an opening or weakness in the pelvic floor muscles, it is known as a perineal hernia. These types of hernias are rare, but contributing factors include trauma, pregnancy, congenital defects, and pelvic surgery.
Perineal hernias may cause pain when sitting, especially for prolonged periods, and surgery is commonly required to repair them. Women are more likely to develop a perineal hernia, but this type of hernia is still very rare.
Different types of hernias may cause different symptoms, but a lump or bulge is typical in most types. If you’re concerned about a suspected or confirmed hernia that is changing, speak to our general surgery specialists for more information.
