If you have a hernia, tissue in your body is bulging out of position into an area where it doesn’t belong, which occurs when structures meant to hold the tissue in place either weaken or a hole forms. Think of it like a tire. If part of the rubber weakens, it can start to bulge. Eventually, a hole can form, and it no longer holds air.
A similar issue arises when you have a hernia, except the “air” can be an organ, muscle, or other tissue that starts to escape.
As a solo general surgeon, Dr. Aniket Zarkarregularly performs hernia repairs at his surgical practice. If you have been diagnosed with a hernia, here are a few encouraging facts to keep in mind
1. Hernias are common
If you have a hernia, you’re not alone. But did you know several types of this problem can occur anywhere in the body? The most common location affects the inguinal canal in the groin. These hernias account for 75% of all cases, most often with men or those assigned male at birth.
Signs of a hernia include:
- Discomfort or pain
- Swelling or soreness
- A lump or bump that appears and disappears during certain activities or positions
Other common hernia locations include the lower chest and abdomen, so they can also cause heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and problems passing gas or moving your bowels.
2. Hernias are usually not life-threatening if you do not ignore them
Generally speaking, hernias aren’t critical, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be.
In many cases, hernias start small. You can even have a hernia that doesn’t cause any symptoms. However, hernias often worsen over time. And they can cause complications if the protruding tissue gets stuck in the opening it’s pushing through. When this occurs, it can cause severe pain and disrupt the blood supply to the herniated tissue — issues that require urgent medical attention.
If you think you have a hernia, don’t wait to see your doctor.
3. You can prevent some hernias
Hernias form when structural tissue fails, allowing other tissue to push through a barrier. Many causes of structural weakness are beyond your control, but several factors can increase your chances of a problem, mainly strain on your tissue.
Risk factors for hernias include:
- Being obese
- Pregnancy, especially multiple pregnancies
- Chronic constipation
- Jobs or hobbies that include heavy lifting, straining, or long hours of standing
- Smoking
To avoid hernias, you should practice healthy weight management, follow a diet high in fiber, and use proper lifting techniques.
4. Hernias do not always require surgery
The only way to repair a hernia involves surgery. However, that doesn’t mean you need surgical intervention immediately. Instead, your doctor makes personalized treatment recommendations based on the size, location, and symptoms associated with your hernia.
Sometimes, a doctor can monitor small or mild hernias. Then, if it grows worse, you can move forward with surgery to repair and reinforce the weakening tissue. Regardless, you should have any suspected hernias evaluated by a surgeon who has the experience to determine which hernias can successfully be watched and which require more timely intervention.
5. Hernia surgeries are typically low-risk
Perhaps most encouraging is that hernia surgeries happen frequently and include few risks. That’s partly because most hernias respond to minimally-invasive methods. Dr. Aniket Zarkar can often perform complex hernia repairs using tiny incisions, special instruments, and a small camera.
Dr. Aniket Zarkar can reposition internal tissue that has moved out of place during your hernia repair. Then, he repairs the opening in the tissue that failed and reinforces the area if needed.
Dr. Aniket Zarkar is a highly esteemed specialist in Hadapsar, renowned for her expertise in treating piles. He also excels in managing hernia, gallbladder, and appendix fissures, making her one of the top professionals in Hadapsar for these conditions.
