Hernias – why is treatment necessary?

A hernia is a condition that can affect both men and women – at various ages. It is a protrusion resulting from internal organs pushing through an opening in the body’s walls. Diagnosing a hernia usually does not pose a major problem – the most important thing is to start appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

A hernia is a protrusion formed by the contents of a body cavity pushing through an opening in the body’s walls, which occurs due to weakened resistance in that area. There are many types of hernias – brain, lung, or other organ hernias – but at Wilmed clinic, we focus on treating abdominal hernias, which result from displacement of organs from the abdominal cavity.

There are several causes of abdominal hernias, including weakening of the abdominal wall, increased pressure in the abdominal cavity, prolonged physical exertion (e.g., at work or during very demanding strength sports), as well as other diseases such as colon disorders or prostate enlargement in men.

Types of hernias

Generally, four types of hernias are distinguished:

• abdominal hernia – a protrusion of the peritoneal membrane (usually with intestinal loops) beyond the anatomical area of the abdominal cavity,
• inguinal hernia – develops within the inguinal canal, it is the most common hernia in men,
• femoral hernia – forms in the femoral canal, passes under the inguinal ligament to the lower limb and femoral nerve, usually occurs in women, especially during pregnancy and after childbirth,
• umbilical hernia – usually congenital, can also occur in obese women, appearing as a protrusion in or near the navel.

Sometimes hernias also develop as complications after surgical procedures – in such cases, it is called a postoperative hernia.

Why is hernia treatment necessary?

Regardless of location, hernias present similar symptoms: a soft lump at the hernia site, pain, burning, and a pulling sensation when pressing the lump. Pain may radiate to other body areas during physical exertion, coughing, bowel movements, or even prolonged standing or sitting.

Once a hernia appears, it will not resolve on its own – this only happens with umbilical hernias in infants. On the contrary, the hernia may enlarge, symptoms may worsen, and dangerous complications may arise. One of the most serious is intestinal obstruction followed by tissue necrosis. This is medically called hernia strangulation. It is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate surgical intervention.

Modern hernia treatment at Wilmed clinic

The only effective treatment for a hernia is surgery – it involves placing a special polypropylene mesh at the site of tissue weakness or defect to protect abdominal organs from protruding. Over time, the mesh integrates with the tissues and prevents recurrence.

Until a few years ago, hernia surgery was performed under general anesthesia, requiring a long recovery. Recent medical advances have allowed less invasive procedures. At Wilmed clinic, we perform surgery using the tension-free method – we use less burdensome anesthesia, the operation is significantly less painful, and patients can return home a few hours after the procedure. Thanks to our specialists’ experience, return to normal activity is possible within about 7 days, and recurrence rates are below 1%.

We invite all those needing this type of care to contact us -> https://en.wilmed.pl/contact/. We provide care from experienced specialists and access to the most advanced hernia treatment methods!