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A protrusion of abdominal organs through an opening in the
abdominal wall.
A condition in which there is general weakening of the muscle
surrounding an organ. This resulting in a bulging of a portion
of the organ through the weak point.
Inguinal Hernia:
The inguinal region is the groin - the area where the upper
thigh joins the trunk. This is the most common type of hernias,
where, under strain the muscles in the groin weaken causing the
intestine to bulge outwards during coughing, sneezing or
straining.
Occasionally a hernia may be strangulated. This happens when a
loop of the intestine becomes trapped, hampering the blood
supply which circulates it. This condition would require
immediate surgery to prevent gangrene and peritonitis.
Other types of hernia:
- Femoral hernia, occurs in the upper part of the
thigh.
- Hiatus hernia, occurs when the stomach pushes
through an opening in the muscles of the diaphragm, (sometimes
producing similar symptoms to that of an ulcer)
- Gastrocele, occurs in the wall of the stomach.
- Rectocele, occurs in the rectum.
- Umbilical hernia, occurs in the area of the navel -
most common in children.
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