Types of Hernia

A hernia occurs when a tissue or an organ swells, and protrudes out of the membrane covering it. It usually occurs in the abdominal area of the body. However, it may also occur in the intervertebral discs. When left untreated, this condition has the potential risk of stopping the blood supply to the trapped organ or tissue, causing extreme discomfort and pain.

When daily activities exert continuous pressure on any muscle in the abdomen, they tend to become weak. This results in protrusion of the intestinal parts, forming a bulge. The symptoms mainly include pain and discomfort, caused due to swelling and tenderness.

This can be caused due to various factors such as obesity, lifting of heavy objects, continuous coughing, fluid in the abdominal cavity, and straining during a bowel movement or urination. Sometimes a family history of chronic hernia and weak abdominal muscles can also be a cause.

Types of Herniations
The type of hernia depends upon the cause and location of its occurrence. Following are the various types of this condition:

This type occurs in the groin and is the most common one. Nearly 75% of all abdominal herniations are inguinal, and are known to occur more in men than women. These can be further divided into indirect and direct. Both types occur in the groin (inguinal canal). In indirect inguinal type, the bulge is formed at the entrance of the inguinal canal, whereas the direct type protrudes through a weak spot in the back wall of the inguinal canal.

It occurs in the femoral canal just below the inguinal ligament. In this type, the femoral vein, artery, and nerve leave the abdominal cavity, to enter the thigh through the femoral canal. The bulge formed is more rounded, and there is a greater risk of strangulating the blood supply to the organ. It is caused when the abdominal materials get pushed through the weak part of the femoral canal. Women are more at risk of this type.

It is a protrusion at the umbilicus (bellybutton), which is normal at birth, and usually closes itself spontaneously by the age of 2. However, larger hernias at the navel have to be surgically removed. The area around the umbilicus is generally weak, and decussation of fibers at the linea alba tend to cause bulges that protrude. Occurrence of this type is high in pregnant women and obese people.

It occurs in the vicinity of any prior surgical incision in the abdominal area, which has not completely healed. Surgery tends to weaken the area around the particular incision in at least 2 - 10 percent people. These incompletely or inadequately healed areas are especially prone to this type. It is caused due to tension on the unhealed tissue or general disruption of the surrounding areas.

It is a rare form that mostly occurs in women. In this type, there is no external formation of a bulge. However, nausea, vomiting, and bowel obstruction are experienced. This is due to the protrusion of tissue from the pelvic cavity through an opening in the pelvic bone.

It occurs in the upper part of the stomach, and protrudes into the chest cavity through an opening in the diaphragm. Hiatus hernia is commonly seen in middle-aged or overweight individuals. Faulty dietary routine is one of the main causes for its occurrence.

This type has more of fatty tissues, and rarely comprises any intestinal tissue. It occurs between the navel and lower part of the rib cage in the abdomen.

This is another rare form which occurs mostly towards the right side of the middle of the abdomen, along the edge of the rectos abdominal muscle.

It occurs either in the lower back (lumbar area) or in the cervical vertebrae, and causes back pain that radiates into the thigh or leg. The bulge is caused because the central part of the intervertebral disc is pushed out through the fibrous band connecting it. This condition is also known as 'herniated disc', 'bulging disc', or 'pinched nerve', and can lead to sciatica.

Also known as brain hernia, this life-threatening condition occurs because of excessive intracranial pressure (ICP) on the brain. It also occurs in the absence of high ICP, when mass lesions such as hematomas (localized swelling filled with blood) occur at the borders of brain compartments.

While treating hernia, certain precautions regarding weight, diet, and physical activity should be taken into consideration. The treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Hernia must be treated before it aggravates. Most of them can be safely and surgically removed. Therefore, it is best to seek medical advice immediately.