Have you noticed a minor lump on your stomach or inner thigh? Do you feel a heavy ache while you strain or cough? You may have a hernia, one of the most common abdominal injuries among people of all ages.
Hernias develop when an abdominal organ or tissue pokes through a weak point in the abdominal wall. The most definite symptom is a soft, malleable lump beneath your skin. But what should you do if you observe this telltale sign?
Dr Amita Jain is a top hernia surgeon in Delhi NCR. In this blog, she explains the various types of hernias and what to do if you feel you might have one.
Types of hernia and where they are found
Though all hernias share similar symptoms, the variances lie in their location. Here is how to identify the different types of hernias.
Groin hernias – Groin hernias are the most common type of hernia. There are two types of groin hernias: inguinal and femoral. Nearly 75% of all hernias are located in the groin area, and the majority of them are inguinal.
With inguinal hernias, your intestines push through a weak point in your lower abdominal wall. They make a lump where your thigh and groin meet, and the lump is generally visible when you stand. Femoral hernias are a lot less common and make up less than 4% of groin hernia cases. They also form a small lump to develop in your inner thigh area.
Abdominal hernias – There are multiple types of abdominal hernias. These hernias form above your groin and below your ribcage. Again, one differentiates these hernias based on their location.
Hiatal hernias happen when your stomach presses up through your diaphragm muscle. These are some of the common abdominal hernias, impacting an estimated 60% of people by age 60. These hernias generally do not cause a noticeable bulge.
Umbilical hernias form around your belly button. Epigastric hernias form in your upper abdomen, generally above your belly button. Both these types occur when your abdominal tissues push through a weak area and form a visible lump in the middle of your stomach.
Incisional hernias – Incisional hernias form near surgical scars. Abdominal surgery might create a weak point in your abdomen, letting internal tissues develop a hernia by pushing through the incision.
What to do if you have a hernia?
If you see a visible lump beneath your skin or you experience abdominal discomfort, do not try to diagnose the condition on your own. to find out if you have a hernia and get a proper treatment plan.
Dr Amita Jain has more than 28 years of experience and will determine what type of hernia you have with a physical exam and medical imaging if required. Dr Amita Jain will review her findings with you and discuss treatment options.
Hernias do not heal on their own, so you might need minimally invasive surgery to repair the injury. In certain cases, it is recommended to be watchful and wait for small hernias that aren’t causing pain.
No matter which form of hernia you have, Dr Amita Jain offers comprehensive hernia repair. Request an appointment online or call her at +(91) 882 6615 301 to find out more about hernia care.
Dr Amita Jain, one of the most experienced General and Laparoscopic Surgeons in Delhi, is widely recognised for her expertise in hernia, piles, gallbladder, fissure, and fistula surgeries. With an outstanding career spanning over 29 years, Dr Amita Jain has earned her place among the top General and Laparoscopic surgeons in Delhi and India, known for her precision, compassion, and consistent surgical excellence. She was the Professor of Surgery at the Army College of Medical Sciences and Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt. In 1994, she was commissioned as a surgeon under the United Nations Mission in Congo.
Dr Amita Jain currently serves as the Head of Department, Laparoscopic and Trauma Surgery at Artemis Lite Hospital (Delhi), Senior General and Laparoscopic Surgeon at Rosewalk – Luxury Maternity Hospital in Delhi and Rainbow Children Hospitals (at Malviya Nagar and Panchsheel Park, New Delhi)
Dr Amita Jain has successfully performed a wide range of complex general surgeries, including both open and minimally invasive procedures, with a strong focus on trauma care, onco-surgical techniques, and reconstructive surgeries. Her medical specialisation includes – Gallbladder surgeries, appendix removal surgeries, hernia repair surgeries, Pilonidal Sinus treatments, varicose vein and piles surgeries, fistula surgeries and fissure surgeries.
Dr Amita Jain has also authored some of the key medical journals and publications, like ResearchGate, IJSR
Note: the articles are written with Dr Amita Jain’s professional insights and referring to her medical publications.