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 is one of India’s most distinguished and experienced female surgeons and proctologists, known for her unmatched expertise in general, advanced laparoscopic, and laser proctology surgery. With over 30 years of surgical excellence, Dr Amita Jain has built a reputation for precision, compassionate care, and advanced surgical techniques.
Dr 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 Jain, currently serves as Senior Consultant and Head of Department (General, Laser, Proctology and Laparoscopic Surgeries) across premier medical networks in South Delhi:
Daffodils by Artemis Hospitals: Spring Meadows, East of Kailash, New Delhi. Book Appointment
Fortis C-DOC Hospital: B-16, Chirag Enclave, New Delhi. Book Appointment
Rosewalk Luxury Multi-Specialty & Maternity Hospital: Panchsheel Park, New Delhi. Book Appointment
Rainbow Children’s Hospital: Malviya Nagar, New Delhi. Book Appointment
Learn More about Dr Amita Jain.
Dr Amita Jain has also authored some of the key medical journals and publications, like ResearchGate, IJSR
Note: This article is written and reviewed by Dr Amita Jain, while referring to her medical journals and publications.