What exactly is an abdominal hernia?  

- It’s where an internal part of body pushes through weak part of your abdominal wall muscle, creating a lump that often you can feel.  
- It’s very common, more common in men but can occur in any age from babies to the elderly.  
- There’s several different types:  

- Inguinal: occurs in the groin and can sometimes cause lump in the scrotum.  
- Femoral: occurs where abdomen joins leg.  
- Umbilical: the front of the stomach often around the tummy button.  
- Hiatus: where stomach pushes up into the chest.  
- Incisional: over a surgery scar  

What causes hernias?  

- Lots of different things: being overweight, coughing or sneezing, constipation, pregnancy.  
- Some people have weaker abdominal walls, and hernias can occur more easily.  
- Occasionally caused by injury from lifting – in which case can be covered by ACC  

What should you look out for and are they serious?  

- Most people notice a bulging lump in their stomach or groin.  
- You may occasionally notice discomfort when bending over or lifting things.  
- Generally they are small, and if they pop out they can be easily pushed back in. 
- Over time they can become bigger and cause more discomfort and pain.  
- Occasionally the bowel can twist and not be able to be pushed back in and become strangulated. This is serious and requires urgent medical help.    

What do about them?  

- Your GP will take a history and examine you to diagnose a hernia, they may order a U/S if unsure.  
- If it’s minor and not causing problems, just watch and wait.  
- However, if it’s causing pain and discomfort, they may recommend surgery.  
- An operation to fix the abdominal wall with stitches or what is called mesh, it’s often a keyhole surgery.  
- You can try to avoid them by eating food with fibre so you don’t become constipated, not putting on weight, and careful lifting with your knees instead of your back. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

What exactly is an abdominal hernia? &nbsp;
- It’s where an internal part of body pushes through weak part of your abdominal wall muscle, creating a lump that often you can feel. &nbsp; - It’s very common, more common in men but can occur in any age from babies to the elderly. &nbsp; - There’s several different types: &nbsp;
- Inguinal: occurs in the groin and can sometimes cause lump in the scrotum. &nbsp; - Femoral: occurs where abdomen joins leg. &nbsp; - Umbilical: the front of the stomach often around the tummy button. &nbsp; - Hiatus: where stomach pushes up into the chest. &nbsp; - Incisional: over a surgery scar &nbsp;
What causes hernias? &nbsp;
- Lots of different things: being overweight, coughing or sneezing, constipation, pregnancy. &nbsp; - Some people have weaker abdominal walls, and hernias can occur more easily. &nbsp; - Occasionally caused by injury from lifting – in which case can be covered by ACC &nbsp;
What should you look out for and are they serious? &nbsp;
- Most people notice a bulging lump in their stomach or groin. &nbsp; - You may occasionally notice discomfort when bending over or lifting things. &nbsp; - Generally they are small, and if they pop out they can be easily pushed back in.&nbsp; - Over time they can become bigger and cause more discomfort and pain. &nbsp; - Occasionally the bowel can twist and not be able to be pushed back in and become strangulated. This is serious and requires urgent medical help. &nbsp; &nbsp;
What do about them? &nbsp;
- Your GP will take a history and examine you to diagnose a hernia, they may order a U/S if unsure. &nbsp; - If it’s minor and not causing problems, just watch and wait. &nbsp; - However, if it’s causing pain and discomfort, they may recommend surgery. &nbsp; - An operation to fix the abdominal wall with stitches or what is called mesh, it’s often a keyhole surgery. &nbsp; - You can try to avoid them by eating food with fibre so you don’t become constipated, not putting on weight, and careful lifting with your knees instead of your back.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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Jack Tame’s crisp perspective, style and enthusiasm makes for refreshing and entertaining Saturday morning radio on Newstalk ZB. News, sport, books, music, gardens and celebrities – what better way to spend your Saturdays?

Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Dr Bryan Betty: Abdominal Hernias

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3e665626-438f-4d17-a06d-b1f90002b85e/transcript

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