WHAT IS A HERNIA?

Hernia is a bulge in the abdomen resulting from weakness of the abdominal wall layers. It may contain a loop of intestine or abdominal fat.

The hernia can cause severe pain and other complications that could require emergency surgery. Both men and women can get a hernia.

(Fig. 1a) (Fig. 1b)

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A HERNIA?

Some of the symptoms include:

• A bulge under the skin (Fig. 2)

• Experiencing pain when lifting heavy objects, coughing, straining during urination or bowel movements, or with prolonged standing or sitting. • Hernias commonly occur in the groin (inguinal or femoral), belly button (umbilical), and the site of a previous operation (incisional).

• Any continuous or severe discomfort, redness, nausea or vomiting associated with the bulge are signs that the hernia may be entrapped or strangulated

Want to learn more about it, please click on the flyer on the right