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For Experts In Ventral Hernias Houston Is Worth Visiting

By Gary Scott


A ventral hernia refers to a protrusion occurring in the abdomen through an opening or weak spot within the abdominal tissue or organ. This condition can be identified by the presence of a bulge in the belly region. Generally, a hernia can occur in any part of the body and the naming is done according to the part of the body where it has occurred. When in need of treatment for ventral hernias Houston is the right place to check out.

There are many types of ventral hernias. Some of them are inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, and incisional hernia. Incisional hernia is very common, and it occurs at sites of previous surgical procedure in the belly. It is caused by the weakness of the muscles, tissues, and skin after a surgery. In the United States alone, more than 90000 repairs of ventral hernia are carried out each year.

Certain factors predispose people to this hernia. Among these factors are obesity, pregnancy, constant heavy lifting, injuries to the bowel, and family history of hernias. There is also a congenital defect that makes walls of the abdomen to be thin from birth in some people. Such thin walls increase the chances of the disease in people with the defect.

The condition develops over a long period. After surgery, it may take a few months or several years for the condition to develop. There is usually no sure way of telling if the hernia will develop after a surgical procedure. However, the chances of occurrence are higher in people who engage in lifting heavy objects too soon after surgery. As such, one should take some time off to allow surgical wounds to heal before resuming any strenuous activities.

There are several symptoms that can indicate the presence of this hernia. While some patients may have severe abdominal pains, others experience no symptoms at all. The amount of time symptoms take to manifest vary a lot, ranging from weeks to months. Some commonly experienced symptoms include bulging of the abdominal area, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, mild discomfort in abdomen, and nausea. Standing up or lifting heavy objects may make the pain worse.

Diagnosing this condition requires having a deep understanding of the symptoms a patient has been experiencing. A doctor will physically examine the patient after they get a history of the symptoms. There are other tests that can be performed to confirm if the problem is actually a hernia. Among the tests conducted are magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and computerized tomography scan.

This form of hernia does not heal on its own without surgical intervention. Mild versions of the condition can be treated by pushing back the protruding tissues. The hernia cavity will however not heal naturally. To avoid the risk of strangulation of the intestine, the hernia needs to be repaired through surgery.

Strangulation occurs when the intestines are caught up in the hernia and blood supply to them is blocked. This may cause the intestines to start decaying if surgical intervention is not provided. Strangulation is often considered to be a medical emergency.




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