Hernias aren’t usually life-threatening, but they don’t go away on their own and can become painful when left untreated. If you’re looking for expert hernia treatment in Flagstaff, Arizona, Flagstaff Surgical Associates offers customized treatment for hernias, including surgical repair. Call Flagstaff Surgical Associates or schedule a consultation online today for hernia repair.
What is a hernia?
Hernias develop when one of your organs pushes through a weak spot in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. Most of the time, hernias occur in your abdominal cavity or your groin area.
There are several types of hernia, which the location classifies:
- Inguinal – in the groin
- Umbilical – near the belly button
- Incisional – through a scar
- Hiatal – through the diaphragm
Anyone can develop a hernia. Hernias form when you have a combination of muscle weakness and pressure. For example, some patients are genetically prone to muscle weakness, or you might have damage from an injury or pregnancy.
Combined with chronic coughing or strenuous exercise, this could lead to a hernia. Other risk factors for hernias include:
- A family history of hernias
- Being overweight or obese
- Chronic constipation
- Cystic fibrosis
- Smoking
- Premature birth or low birth weight
Depending on its cause, hernias can develop gradually or quickly.
What are the common hernia symptoms?
A common symptom of a hernia is feeling or seeing a bulge on your body. Hernia lumps usually disappear when you lie down and become more pronounced when you cough or exert pressure on the affected area.
However, in many cases, hernias don’t cause any symptoms at all. You might not know you have a hernia until your doctor finds it during a routine physical or an exam for an unrelated problem.
How are hernias treated?
While you can make lifestyle changes to minimize the symptoms of your hernia, surgery is the only effective treatment. The surgeons at Flagstaff Surgical Associates offer a variety of surgical options, including minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery to repair hernias.
Hernia surgery is usually an outpatient procedure. Your surgeon makes a small incision in your body, then uses specially designed surgical instruments to push the bulging organ back into place and then sews the weakened or torn tissue closed.
Your surgeon gives you personalized aftercare instructions before releasing you. In general, you need to take it easy for several weeks while your body heals. You should avoid strenuous activity or picking up anything heavier than 10 pounds.
If you’re looking for an expert surgeon to repair your hernia, call Flagstaff Surgical Associates or make an appointment online today.