A hernia occurs in the abdomen when a piece of tissue or an organ sticks out through one of the weakened muscle walls that surround the abdominal cavity. The sac that swells through the weak muscle area in the groin or abdominal wall contains the fatty lining of the colon or a piece of intestine.

In case if a hernia occurs via the diaphragm, the muscles that separate the abdomen from the chest, then the sac may contain a part of the stomach. They are the most common in the stomach, but they can also appear in the groin areas, belly button, and upper thighs. Groin hernias are most commonly of the inguinal type but may also be femoral.

In most cases, hernias are not life-threatening, but they don’t go on their own. They might require hernia operation or hernia surgery to prevent potentially hazardous complications.

There are mainly four types of hernias affecting the humans

Repair of a hernia in the groin (an inguinal hernia) is the most frequently performed operation in general surgery. The hernia is repaired (with suturing or placing a synthetic mesh over the hernia in one of the layers of the abdominal wall) using either open surgery or minimal access laparoscopy. The most common laparoscopic techniques for inguinal hernia repair are transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair and totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair. In TAPP the surgeon goes into the peritoneal cavity and places a mesh through a peritoneal incision over possible hernia sites. TEP is different as the peritoneal cavity is not entered and mesh is used to seal the hernia from outside the thin membrane covering the organs in the abdomen (the peritoneum).

This type of hernia occurs when a piece of your stomach tissue sticks out through your diaphragm into your chest cavity. A hiatal hernia is a common disorder amongst individuals aged 50 and above.

This type of hernia is the most common in newborns under 6 months old. An umbilical hernia occurs when a child’s intestine bulge through his/her weak abdominal wall.

Hernias also can be birth defects. A congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs when your diaphragm doesn’t form right. This can create space for your stomach to move into your chest. Sometimes doctors find the defect when you are a baby.

Femoral hernias also happen when fatty tissue or part of your bowel pokes through into your groin at the top of your inner thigh.

They're much less common than inguinal hernias and tend to affect more women than men.

Like inguinal hernias, femoral hernias are also associated with ageing and repeated strain on the tummy.

An incisional hernia occurs rarely after you have undergone an abdominal surgery.

Where part of a muscle pokes through your tummy; they also occur in leg muscles as the result of a sports injury.

Where fatty tissue pokes through your tummy, between your belly button and the lower part of your breastbone

Where part of your bowel pokes through your tummy at the side of your abdominal muscle, below your belly button.

The most common sign of hernia occurrence is the formation of lump or bulge in the affected area. In case of an inguinal hernia, you may notice bulginess on either side of your pubic bone where your thigh and groin meet. You can feel your hernia by touching during when you bend down, cough, or stand up.

• Aching, gurgling, or burning sensation at the site of the lump.
• Experiencing heaviness, pressure, or weakness in the abdomen.
• Discomfort or pain in the affected area while lifting, coughing, or bending.

• Difficulty in swallowing
• Chest pain
• Acid reflux

Your baby might have a hernia is he/she has a bulge near the belly button.

• The best doctor for hernia will make sure to perform all the tests and diagnosis to determine the type of hernia in the patients.
• Incisional or inguinal hernias are diagnosed via a physical examination.
• Hiatal hernia is diagnosed using endoscopy or with a barium x-ray.
• Umbilical hernia is diagnosed using ultrasound
• Further, a CT scan or MRI is also performed for diagnosing a hernia.

Laparoscopic hernia repair surgery / operation is considered the best treatment option for hernia. However, it will depend on the symptoms and the size of your hernia to determine the treatment options. The possible treatment options for hernia include

You will require an inguinal hernia surgery / operation if your hernia is causing pain or is growing larger. Laparoscopic surgery / operation is considered the most common surgery for hernia. It involves miniaturized surgical equipment and a tiny camera along with few small incisions. However, it requires long recovery processes and you may not be able to move freely or normally for 5-6 weeks.

Hiatal hernias can be treated using certain prescribed medications that condense the stomach acid. Proton pump inhibitors, H2 receptor blockers, and antacids are the potential medicines for hiatal hernias.

• Transabdominal preperitoneal patch (TAPP) repair of inguinal hernia
• Laparoscopic total extra-peritoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair

Buttressing the posterior wall of the inguinal canal by laparoscopic insertion of a preperitoneal synthetic or biological mesh.

The TEP technique using two trocars is an alternative technique which improves cosmetic and financial outcomes.