What is a hernia? What are the symptoms of a hernia?

Hernia is a common surgical disease in the human body, which is more common in the elderly and children. Hernia is a serious threat to the human body. In mild cases, it affects life, and in severe cases, it causes death. So what is a hernia and what are the symptoms of a hernia?

What is a hernia?

Hernia is when part of the human body tissue or organ leaves its original location and enters another part through a gap, defect or weak part of the human body. Commonly known as "small intestinal gas", it includes umbilical hernia, direct inguinal hernia, indirect hernia, incisional hernia, surgical recurrent hernia, white line hernia, femoral hernia, etc. Hernia is mostly caused by increased intra-abdominal pressure due to coughing, sneezing, excessive force, abdominal obesity, forceful defecation, pregnancy, excessive crying in children, degenerative changes in the strength of the abdominal wall in the elderly, etc., which forces the free organs in the abdominal cavity, such as the small intestine, cecum, greater omentum, bladder, ovaries, fallopian tubes, etc., to enter another part through normal or abnormal weak points or defects or gaps in the human body.

What are the symptoms of a hernia?

1. Symptoms of hernia in children: Hernia in children usually occurs when the child cries, exercises vigorously, or has dry stools. There will be a protruding mass in the groin, which sometimes extends to the scrotum or labia area. It will disappear on its own when the child lies flat or is pressed with the hands. Hernia in children can also affect the child's digestive system, resulting in symptoms such as lower abdominal distension, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, poor absorption function, fatigue and physical deterioration. Children with hernia may also experience constipation, loss of appetite, spitting up, and some may become prone to crying and restlessness. Most are discovered at two to three months old, but some are not discovered until one to two years old. Because the groin area is adjacent to the urogenital system, the normal development of the child's reproductive system may be affected by the compression of hernia.

2. Symptoms of hernia in adults: Hernia in adults mainly manifests in the groin area, and a lump can be seen or felt. It occurs when standing, exerting force, or coughing, and disappears when lying down. When the lump is protruding, gently push upwards and you will feel a slight resistance which will then quickly disappear. Sometimes grunting is heard at the same time. In addition, when the mass protrudes, the patient has a feeling of falling, accompanied by bloating or referred abdominal pain. Because the groin is adjacent to the urogenital system, adult hernia patients are prone to sexual dysfunction.

3. Symptoms of hernia in the elderly: Hernia in the elderly is rather special and is mostly caused by the weak constitution of the elderly. The organ that most often prolapses due to hernia in the elderly is the small intestine, so it feels soft to the touch and is often accompanied by gurgling noises when it goes back in. The large intestine, appendix, greater omentum, etc. may also prolapse. After an elderly hernia occurs, the elderly may also experience symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating, constipation, weakened resistance, malnutrition, and indigestion.