An intestinal hernia is a general concept that implies any hernia formation, which leads to a protrusion of the anterior abdominal wall due to displacement of a digestive organ into a peculiar sac.
Reasons for the development of pathology
An intestinal hernia is congenital, it occurs due to abnormalities in the development of the organs of the abdominal region during the stay of the fetus in the womb. In addition, such a pathology is acquired. Predisposing factors are excessive physical activity along with frequent constipation, overweight and postoperative complications. In addition, the following causes are factors of the development of the disease:
- The presence of diseases of the internal organs of the digestive system along with exhaustion of a person.
- Getting mechanical injuries of the anterior abdominal wall.
- The presence of a genetic predisposition.
- The appearance of a prolonged and angry cough.
- The presence of lumbago (acute pain, extending to the lower back in the form of lumbago).
Who happens more often?
An intestinal hernia is a common diagnosis in professional athletes lifting large loads. This pathological condition can occur regardless of age. The formation of a hernia sometimes happens in children in infancy. The disease under consideration that occurs after surgery on the organs of the abdominal region is associated with a purulent and inflammatory focus.
Symptoms
The clinical picture of a hernia of the intestine may have a different character, depending on where the pathological process began to develop. In the event that she has a small size, and she slowly grows, practically not developing, the general symptomatic picture will be poorly expressed. It will manifest itself in the form of a minor short-term disturbance on the part of the digestive and genitourinary system.
In the case of the development of pathological processes, the first symptom of an intestinal hernia will be pain, which can be aching, severe, acute or weak. This can occur under the influence of provoking factors or is able to be present constantly.
Common symptoms
The following general symptoms of intestinal hernia in women and men are noted:
- The presence of digestive system disorders.
- The appearance of pain in the lower abdomen.
- The presence of bloody clots in the feces.
- The appearance of nausea and vomiting.
- The occurrence of swelling in the area of location.
Diagnosis of intestinal hernia
Diagnosis of a tumor-like formation in the presence of symptoms of an intestinal hernia, as a rule, includes conducting a survey of the patient about complaints; in addition, a thorough history can be made, that is, a history of pathology. An examination is performed by palpation, so the doctor determines the degree of intensity of pain, studying the size of the hernia. If necessary, appoint a consultation of related specialists, such as a gastroenterologist, proctologist, gynecologist and so on.
In order to confirm the diagnosis of intestinal hernia in men and women, a cough push is used. This technique is carried out in this way: the doctor places his hand in the place where the hernia is located, and asks the patient to try to cough. If during coughing the formation begins to move under the skin, then the diagnosis is confirmed.
Complications
A hernia can provoke organ dysfunction of the system in which the hernial sac is located . In the event that the pathology is located on the white line, then the person's work in the digestive system is disrupted. The patient may be tormented by frequent constipation, the development of peptic ulcer in the stomach, along with gastritis and colitis, is not excluded.
In the presence of inguinal hernia, diseases of the organs in the genitourinary system can occur. The most common complication is the inability to set the hernial sac. In the event that the protrusion is small, there are no complications. And against this background, a person, taking a horizontal position, will notice that a wandering hernia is simply hiding.
Such a condition is called a vagus sac, since against the background of a change in body position, organs that have fallen into the hernial sac begin to return to their original position. In the event that the patient lies down, and the bulge on the body does not decrease, then this indicates the development of serious complications. They are dangerous in that with the passage of time, a hernia can begin to divide immediately into several sectors, in each of which a segment of the intestine will fall out.
Against the background of the development of inguinal hernia, the functioning of the rectum can be totally disrupted. Often, the only method for normalizing digestion is the anal colostomy, which is an operation to form an alternative anal passage.
Complication with inguinal hernia of the intestine in women and women, which is a health risk, is infringement. Such a pathological condition is characterized by the fact that the hernial sac may suddenly appear to be sandwiched at the gate of the hernia. Infringement is an emergency requiring surgical intervention. This condition is accompanied by severe pain and may be the reason that gangrene develops, as blood circulation in this area may be disturbed during infringement. Other possible complications are intussusception (i.e. intestinal obstruction) and the development of sigmoid colon diverticulosis (against the background of which pockets form in segments of the large intestine).
Intestinal hernia repair
Pathology, depending on the stage, is treated with conservative methods or with the help of surgical operations. Drug therapy, as a rule, is aimed at stopping painful symptoms, and in addition, at preventing the further development of pathological processes. But to completely get rid of a hernia will be possible only by performing a surgical operation.
In the event that the bag does not increase in size, then complications are completely absent. Such patients are prescribed physiotherapy aimed at strengthening the muscles in order to prevent subsequent loss of organs. It is mandatory to wear a bandage.
Traditional medicine methods, along with decoctions of herbs in the treatment of the pathological condition under consideration, are used only as part of additional therapy to reduce the overall intensity of pain symptoms. It is worth noting that conspiracies in the treatment of hernia definitely will not give any therapeutic effect.
Operation
Surgical interventions aimed at removing a hernia of the small intestine are carried out endoscopic and open way:
- The traditional open surgery is carried out mainly in the presence of infringement, when the patient urgently needs to take quick and effective measures.
- Endoscopy is a method of planned surgical interventions that have a lower risk of complications and a fairly quick recovery period, since it does not require a cavity incision, as is the case with traditional surgery.
Traditional operation
During the operation, the doctor performs an excision of the ligaments and muscle corset, returning to the place the internal organs that have fallen into the hernial sac. In the event that there was an infringement that led to necrosis and circulatory disturbance, the damaged part of the intestine is completely removed.
An obligatory step in the traditional operation is the hernia gate repair performed by the method of staging a mesh implant that supports muscles. This measure is guaranteed to prevent the reappearance of a hernia. A tensioning method may also be used. In this case, the hernia gate can be closed by the tendons and muscles of the patient.
How is intestinal hernia removed by endoscopy?
Endoscopic surgery
A doctor makes several small punctures through the skin through which a surgical instrument is inserted. An endoscope is also introduced, which is a tube with a camera attached to the end, it transmits the image to the monitor. This technique of surgery for a hernia of the intestine is much preferable, as it is less dangerous and does not injure the body. During it, the doctor cuts off the edges of the hernial sac from the tissue, the doctor returns the fallen organs into place and sutures the gate.
Rehabilitation
After performing surgical removal of the intestinal hernia (after surgery), the patient must wear a bandage that reduces the likelihood of relapse. Without fail, the patient is corrected nutrition, exclude all kinds of physical activity. To stop the pain that always occurs in the postoperative period, pain medications are prescribed.
They recommend as much time as possible to be in the fresh air, to walk at leisurely pace. Physical activity is permitted, as a rule, after two months. In the absence of complications, doctors allow cardio simulators along with swimming, which does not exert any load on the operated area, helping and contributing to the restoration of muscle tone, which in itself serves as a fairly good prevention of recurrence of a hernia sac.
A very important place in the entire rehabilitation program is given to the daily change of dressing and treatment of the surgical wound using antiseptic drugs. Alcohol consumption along with smoking during the rehabilitation period are strictly excluded.
What should be the nutrition?
In order to prevent complications, a patient who has been diagnosed with intestinal hernia must adjust his diet along with his diet. From the menu it is required to completely exclude products that provoke constipation along with excessive gas formation.
It is necessary to observe the regimen of eating food. In this case, you need to eat food up to six times a day, but the nutritional portions at the same time must be very small. It is strictly forbidden to overeat. Finish eating with a feeling of slight hunger. Exclude products that provoke fermentation processes in the intestine.
A diet in the presence of a hernia, as a rule, excludes the intake of heavy food, in addition, you should not eat fatty meat and fish, and at the same time smoked meats. All food must be steamed or cooked. Chew food very carefully. Any products must undergo mandatory heat treatment.
It is very important to observe the correct regimen for drinking fluids; you should drink at least two liters of water per day. After eating food, drinking water is strictly prohibited. Supper is allowed no later than three hours before going to bed.
Prophylaxis
Intestinal hernia is a serious condition that is prevented by a variety of preventive measures. They aim to minimize the risks of increased pressure within the abdominal region.
The main measure of prevention is proper nutrition, along with compliance with the regime of eating food. Excess weight, which is provoked by the unlimited eating of fried foods, flour products, and in addition, carbonated drinks, is the main reason for the appearance of a pathological bag.
Frequent overeating leads to an increase in pressure inside the abdominal wall and can provoke a hernia. It is also recommended to avoid frequent constipation. With frequent violation of the stool, it is required to identify the causes and conduct appropriate treatment.
People who are professionally involved in heavy sports should wear a special bandage when receiving active physical exertion. Pregnant women are also recommended to use such a device when their uterus increases rapidly, exerting pressure on the organs of the abdominal region, which often causes an inguinal hernia.
Muscles must be in good shape, in connection with this, for prevention, it is necessary to take regular sports as a habit. This can be, for example, a simple exercise that helps to keep the body in good shape and tone.