Hernia: What it is, Symptoms, Types, Causes & Treatment | GetWellGo

A hernia occurs when an organ pushes through a weak spot in surrounding muscle or tissue, causing a visible bulge.

Hernia: What it is, Symptoms, Types, Causes & Treatment | GetWellGo

  • Category

    Urology

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    31-Mar-2025

What is Hernia?

A hernia therefore refers to a situation where an organ or any other tissue protrudes through a hole of weakness in the muscle or the connective tissue respectively. It can mainly be felt in the region of the abdomen or the groin and is usually manifested by a swelling that is easily seen.

Hernia Symptoms​

Hernia symptoms depend on the type and severity, but common signs include:

General Symptoms of Hernia

  • Heavy Bulge – A formation of a lump in the particular region of the body under examination that may reduce in size on lying down.
  • Discomfort – The patients complained about having some pain while lifting something, coughing or even straining themselves.
  • Heaviness or Pressure – A feeling of fullness in the abdomen or groin.
  • Burning or Aching Sensation – In or around the hernia site.
  • Tenderness in the afflicted zone – There may be tenderness in the affected muscles such that they can even be stretched.

Hernia Treatment​

Hernias do not heal on their own and one has to seek medical help depending on the severity of the condition. Treatment options include:

  • Lifestyle & Supportive Measures (For Small, Asymptomatic Hernias)

Lifestyle Changes

  • Avoid heavy lifting and straining.
  • Most abdominal injuries result from pressure put on the abdomen part, maintain your weight levels to avoid such pressure.
  • Take fiber-rich meals as this will help prevent constipation.

Supportive Devices

  • Sometimes, belts, also known as trusses, may be of some help in managing the condition but they are not treatments for hernias.

Surgical Treatment (Definitive Solution)

  • Some of the reasons for surgery include large-sized hernia, if the hernia is painful, or if it is stratified.

Herniorrhaphy (Open Surgery)

  • Surgeon repositions the organ, and sutures the part of the muscle with weakened wall fibers.
  • Best for small hernias without complications.
  • Requires longer recovery time (weeks).

Hernioplasty (Mesh Repair Surgery)

  • A mesh is then created to envelop the weak portion of the muscle thus in order to support it.
  • Reduces the risk of recurrence.
  • Used in Open & laparoscopic procedure.

Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery (Minimally Invasive)

  • Small incisions with a camera-guided technique.
  • Faster recovery and less pain than open surgery.
  • Suitable for inguinal, umbilical, and incisional hernias.

Hernia Surgery​

Surgery is the only curative measure that is employed in the treatment of a hernia. Depending on the degree and location of the illness, physicians opt for an open surgery, a laparoscopic surgery, or a robotic surgery.

Types of Hernia Surgery

Open Hernia Surgery (Herniorrhaphy / Hernioplasty)

Procedure:

  • The incision is made at a single place, and it is relatively big when compared to the others performed with multiple incisions.
  • Thus, the hernia is slammed back into the abdominal cavity.
  • The free edges of the muscle wall are sutured, in some cases; a mesh is used to reinforce this process (Hernioplasty).
  • Uses: Major hernias or in cases of emergency, for instance a strangulated hernia.
  • Recovery Time: 4–6 weeks.

Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery (Minimally Invasive)

Procedure:

  • 2–3 small incisions are made.
  • A laparoscope, that is a telemetric device, is used to expose the operations area and make the repair for the hernia.
  • That is, a mesh may be applied to turn the muscle wall to increase its density.
  • Best For: Smaller hernias, quicker recovery, and less pain.
  • Recovery Time: 1–2 weeks.

Robotic Hernia Surgery (Advanced Laparoscopy)

Procedure:

  • Related to laparoscopic surgery but a robot is used to support the surgeon instead.
  • Best For: Complex hernias, precision surgery, and faster healing.
  • Recovery Time: 1–2 weeks.

Inguinal Hernia​

Inguinal hernia involves the protrusion of intestines or fat through a weak formation and this takes place in the lower abdominal region or groin. This is the most prevalent type of hernia, especially to male individuals in the community.

Types of Inguinal Hernia

  • Indirect Inguinal Hernia – Present from birth, more common in males.
  • Direct Inguinal Hernia – Develops over time due to muscle weakness.
  • Incarcerated Hernia – cannot be returned to the abdominal cavity and should be examined by a health care provider.
  • Strangulated Hernia – Impairs circulation of blood supply (surgical emergency).

Hiatal Hernia​

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach props through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. Diaphragm refers to the muscle found beneath the lungs, and it divides the chest area from the abdominal region as well as assisting in the breathing of the human body.

Types of Hiatal Hernia

Sliding Hiatal Hernia (Most Common)

  • There is upward displacement into the chest temporarily of the stomach and lower esophagus.
  • These symptoms manifest when one is lying down or after taking a meal.

Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia (Less Common but More Serious)

  • Some part of the stomach surrounds the passage known as the esophagus and protrudes to the chest cavity.
  • May result into strangulation where the blood flow is restricted, and might need an emergency surgery.

Umbilical Hernia​

An umbilical hernia is the condition where intestines or fatty tissues poke through a weak spot in the belly button area. It is frequent in infants, nonetheless it may also be observed in adult patients as a result of enhanced intra-abdominal pressure.

Hernia Causes​

  • Heavy Lifting
  • Chronic Coughing
  • Constipation & Straining
  • Frequent Vomiting
  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • Fluid Buildup in the Abdomen
  • Congenital Muscle Weakness
  • Aging
  • Previous Abdominal Surgery
  • Genetic Factors

Recovery after Hernia Repair​

  • Hospital Stay: Same-day or 1-day discharge.
  • Activity: The patient was advised light walking from Day 1 and no lifting of heavy object over the next 6-8 weeks.
  • Diet: Soft, fiber rich foods to avoid constipation.
  • Pain Relief: Mild painkillers if needed.

Hernia Pain​

Hernia pain can therefore be defined as tissue that pokes through a hole in the muscle and produces either discomfort or pressure, or even severe pain. The severity of a hernia depends on their type, size and intensity of the pain that the individual is experiencing.

Causes of Hernia Pain

  • Tissue Pressure: Since direct abdominal muscles are displaced, the hernia forms a bulge that applies pressure on muscles and nerves.
  • Movement: Pain may be aggravated by straining the body, exercising, coughing or bending down.
  • Trapped Hernia (Incarcerated Hernia): The hernia cannot be returned to the abdominal cavity.
  • Strangulated Hernia (Emergency!): Blood supply to the trapped tissue is cut off and it is painful.

Hernia Types​

Inguinal Hernia (Groin Hernia) – Most Common

  • Location: Lower abdomen, near the groin.
  • More common in men.
  • Signs and Evidences: Lumps or swelling in the groin and discomfort when making any movement such as coughing or lifting an object.
  • Treatment: Surgery (open or laparoscopic).

Hiatal Hernia (Stomach Hernia)

  • Location: In the upper stomach which protrudes through the diaphragm.
  • More common in older adults & obese individuals.
  • Signs: vomiting, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and burning sensation in the neck well as back, abdomen and chest.
  • Treatment: With help of changes in their life, taking medications or going through surgery when they have a severe case.

Umbilical Hernia (Belly Button Hernia)

  • Location: Around the navel (belly button).
  • Close contacts of newborns (frequently closes naturally) & pregnant/obese persons.
  • Sign/symptom: A small swelling around the navel region, during bowel movements and other activities that require straining.
  • For a child, the wound must not heal before the child reaches the age of five years, or if it starts to cause some pain in an adult.

Femoral Hernia (Less Common, More Dangerous)

  • Location: Upper thigh, near the groin (below the inguinal ligament).
  • More common in women.
  • Symptoms: Small bulge, pain in the groin, risk of strangulation.
  • Treatment: Surgery (high risk of complications).

Incisional Hernia (Post-Surgery Hernia)

  • Location: At the site of a previous abdominal surgery incision.
  • Specific target population: Individuals who were operated in the abdominal area at least in the period of one year before the study.
  • There are several signs that give a clue that something is not right like a bulge at the site of surgery, intense pain and discomfort.
  • Treatment: Surgical repair (often with mesh reinforcement).

Epigastric Hernia

  • Location: Between the navel and lower chest.
  • More common in men and obese individuals.
  • Symptoms: Small lump in the upper abdomen, occasional pain.
  • Treatment: Surgery if symptomatic.

Spigelian Hernia (Rare Type)

  • Location: Side of the abdominal wall (below the belly button).
  • Middle-aged adults, especially those with obesity.
  • Symptoms: Bulge on the side of the abdomen, pain.
  • Treatment: Surgical repair.

Strangulated Hernia (Medical Emergency)

  • When the hernia causes constriction of blood vessels thus trapping the organ it controls circulation of blood.

Symptoms:

  • Sudden severe pain.
  • Red, purple, or dark-colored hernia bulge.
  • Nausea, vomiting, bloating.
  • Treatment: Emergency surgery required

Hernia Diagnosis​

The diagnosis of a hernia can often be done through an assessment by a physician and other tests may be ordered if necessary. That is why the initial assessment focuses on identifying the nature of the hernia, its size, and degree.

  • Physical Examination
  • Imaging Tests: Ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan, MRI, Endoscopy

Hernia Complications​

In some cases, Hernias are known to worsen with time and therefore it is advisable that they are treated early in order to avoid complications. This is so because some hernias retain for a long time, while others swell, ache or become fatal.

  • Incarcerated Hernia
  • Strangulated Hernia
  • Bowel Obstruction
  • Infection & Peritonitis
  • Chronic Pain & Discomfort
  • Hernia Enlargement
  • Increased risk of recurrence

Hernia in Men​

Hernias affect men more frequently because there are some flaws in the abdominal wall that occur naturally, most particularly in the abdominal inguinal region. The inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia in males.

Common Types of Hernia in Men

  • Inguinal Hernia (Most Common in Men)
  • Hiatal Hernia
  • Umbilical Hernia

Hernia in Women​

Females suffer from hernias with a significantly lesser incidence as compared to males; however, some types of hernias may remain undiagnosed because their signs and symptoms may be referring to other medical conditions such as pelvic pain, bloating and so on.

  • Femoral Hernia (Most Common in Women)
  • Inguinal Hernia (Less Common in Women)

Top Hospital in India for Hernia

  • Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Delhi
  • Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
  • Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon
  • Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon

Best Doctors in India for Hernia

  • Dr. Sanjay Verma
  • Dr. Paritosh S. Gupta
  • Dr. Vikas Singhal
  • Dr. Ajay Kumar Kriplani

Why Choose GetWellGo for Hernia Surgery?

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

  • Complete transparency
  • Fair costs.
  • 24 hour availability.
  • Medical E-visas
  • Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
  • Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for hernia surgery.
  • Expert GI surgeon with a strong track record of success
  • Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
  • Language Support
  • Travel and Accommodation Services
  • Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
  • Local SIM Cards
  • Currency Exchange
  • Arranging Patient’s local food





 

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