What causes hernia in the elderly? What are the symptoms?

When people reach a certain age, due to physical reasons, various organs in the body gradually age and their performance is not as good as before. So what is the cause of hernia in the elderly? What are the symptoms of hernia in the elderly?

Causes of hernia in the elderly

Hernia is a common disease among the elderly, mainly because the elderly often suffer from chronic bronchitis, prostate hyperplasia, habitual constipation and other diseases. Long-term chronic cough, difficulty urinating, and difficulty defecation cause increased intra-abdominal pressure, squeezing and compressing abdominal organs to shift to weak areas of the abdominal wall. In addition, ascites caused by heart, lung and liver diseases can also slowly cause increased abdominal pressure. The abdominal wall muscles and tendons in the elderly degenerate and their strength decreases. Coupled with factors such as obesity or long-term bed rest due to illness, it is very easy to cause abdominal wall muscle atrophy and hernia.

Symptoms of hernia in the elderly

When abdominal pressure increases, such as when defecating, coughing, or moving, the abdominal contents such as the intestines will protrude from the weak defects in the abdominal wall and appear as a mass. When lying down, the abdominal pressure decreases and the intestines go back. Therefore, if an elderly person has an abnormal lump on his abdominal wall, and it disappears after lying down, it is almost certain to be a hernia, and he should go to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible.

·The harm of hernia in the elderly

Many people believe that hernia is painless and does not itch, and many patients can feel a lump during the day, which disappears when they lie down. Therefore, they believe that no treatment is needed. Some patients even delay treatment for several years. However, once hernia incarceration occurs, the intestines cannot go back, which is very dangerous. After hernia incarceration, the swelling may suddenly increase in size, accompanied by a series of intestinal obstruction symptoms such as vomiting, pain, and abdominal distension. If not treated promptly, the hernia ring will tighten the intestines and affect blood circulation, which can easily lead to intestinal necrosis. If secondary infection occurs, toxemia may occur due to toxin absorption. Incarcerated hernia can also cause electrolyte imbalance, which may endanger the life of the elderly.