Hernias vary in type, size, and symptoms. That’s why you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Aliu O. Sanni and our team if you think you might have one.
At Eastside Bariatric & General Surgery in Snellville, Georgia, we’re hernia repair specialists who can perform a comprehensive evaluation to give you an accurate diagnosis and provide the best method of treatment.
The number of types of hernias varies depending on how they’re categorized. Here are four common types:
This is the most common type of hernia, and it occurs when your intestines push through a weak or torn spot in your lower abdominal wall. It can cause pain when you cough or lift heavy objects.
A hiatal hernia is usually noticeable to the naked eye. You may see a part of your stomach protruding up through your diaphragm toward your chest cavity. Your diaphragm causes a separation between the organs in your abdomen and those in your chest.
With this type of hernia, you’re at a high risk for developing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which causes your stomach’s content to back into your esophagus.
This type of hernia can occur in children and babies when their intestines bulge near the abdominal wall, causing a small protrusion near the belly button. An umbilical hernia can go away on its own as the abdominal walls in your child’s body grow stronger with age.
Adults can get umbilical hernias, too. They develop from strain on your abdomen caused by conditions like obesity or pregnancy.
You can acquire ventral hernias at birth or at some point during your lifetime. This type of hernia occurs when tissue pushes through an opening in your abdominal muscles, and it can flatten out when you lie down.
A ventral hernia can develop due to obesity, pregnancy, and intense activity. If you have a surgical incision, the scarring or weakness at the site can cause this type of hernia.
If you don’t get treatment for your hernia or have it repaired, it can get worse and cause more severe symptoms and serious complications.
Though managing your activity might ease hernia symptoms, it’s always best to make an appointment with our team for an evaluation. We can diagnose your condition and discuss several different treatments.
Whether you need surgery depends on the type and size of your hernia, plus your symptoms.
Some hernias might only call for watchful waiting; we monitor you for any future complications. Another option is an undergarment called a truss, which securely holds your hernia in place.
If you have a hiatal hernia and suffer from the stomach acid backing up into your esophagus, we might recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as antacids, H2 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors.
Home remedies can also ease your symptoms, such as:
If you have a hernia that continues to grow, is painful, or causes a hole in your abdominal wall, we can patch it with surgical mesh. We can also perform surgery to tighten a wide opening in one of the passageways caused by the hernia.
We use minimally invasive surgical techniques including the da Vinci robotic surgery system. With robotic surgery, we only need small incisions to gain access to your hernia. As a result, your incision heals more quickly with a lower chance of infection.
If you think you have a hernia, click here to book an appointment today for an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan. Early treatment will help you avoid complications, some of which could be serious.
