What Are Safe Medical Options for Hernia Repair?

A hernia is a severe medical condition that affects about 5% of the population. Just in the United States, over 1 million hernia repairs are performed by healthcare professionals each year. What’s more is that this condition can affect everyone, regardless of sex or age. In fact, a percentage of hernias after the first year of age. 

Thanks to today’s advancements in medical technologies and research, many types of hernias can be cured. However, finding the best – and safest – medical option to repair a hernia is not always easy. Some of these treatments can have long-term repercussions on the physical and mental wellbeing of the patient, meaning that the choice of treatment should not be taken lightly. 

Here is what you need to know about finding a safe medical treatment for hernia repair. 

What Is Hernia?

A hernia is a medical issue that happens when fatty tissue, organ, or intestine enters a weak spot or hole in the nearby connective tissue or muscle. The most common types of hernias are those that occur at the abdominal wall level. In some cases, a hernia can be visible from outside your body and appears as an often painful bulge.

Some common types of hernia include:

  • Hernia in the inner groin (Inguinal hernia)
  • Hernia in the ventral or abdominal wall (Ventral hernia)
  • Hernia through a scar or incision, usually along the abdomen wall (Incisional hernia)
  • Hernia in the upper thigh (Femoral hernia)
  • Hernia through the belly button (Umbilical hernia)
  • Hernia inside the abdomen (Hiatal hernia)

What Causes Hernias?

The causes of hernias are several and can vary. In most cases, they derive from a combination of high pressure and a weakening of muscle or connective tissue. 

  • The weakness in the muscle or connective tissue can derive from an incision, scar, operation, or be present at birth
  • The pressure causes the organ to move from its location and squeeze through the whole or weakened area.

Some facts that increase the likelihood of developing a hernia include smoking, an unhealthy diet, weight changes, and muscle overextension.

Treatments for Hernias

There are many treatments for hernia, both surgical and non-surgical, including:

  • Monitoring or watchful waiting – if the hernia is not getting larger and does not create complications, your surgeon might just monitor it. 
  • Laparoscopic procedures – this surgical treatment allows the surgeon to insert tools in the abdomen area and repair the hernia.
  • Open hernia repair – this intervention involves treating the hernia by creating an incision near the affected area. The muscle’s weakened area is also repaired.

Hernia Mesh: Uses and Risks

Hernia mesh is one of the most common tools used in treating hernia. Since its introduction in the 1980s, the mesh has helped many patients recover from hernia and reduce the condition’s incidence. Mesh-based hernia treatments are beneficial in that they reduce the operation and recovery time. 

Surgical mesh is a medical tool that allows a surgeon to repair tissue that has been damaged or weakened. It is today available in synthetic and natural alternatives. 

While widely used, hernia mesh has been seen to cause some side effects in some patients. Some types of medical mesh have even been recalled after causing problems in several patients. If you have experienced injuries and damages following a mesh-based hernia repair, specialized abdominal mesh lawyers can supply professional legal help. 

Consult Your Doctor

There are several treatments for hernia, and many more are in development. However, when looking for the best and safest way to heal your hernia, you should always consult your doctor to better understand a procedure’s risks and benefits.