Hernias in Port Charlotte, FL
Serving Charlotte County, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and surrounding areas
Abdominal and hiatal hernias are common medical conditions affecting millions of people worldwide. They occur when organs or tissues push through weak spots in the abdominal wall or diaphragm, respectively. These hernias can cause discomfort, pain, and other complications if left untreated. It’s important to have an understanding of what a hernia might feel like and how you can get the treatment you need to properly heal and function correctly.
Abdominal hernias can present in several ways. Most commonly, a hernia develops in the groin or the belly button. Usually, patient will feel a bulge or pain at these sites which becomes worse with lifting, coughing, or bearing down. A hernia involves contents within the abdomen pushing through a hole or laxity in the abdominal wall muscle layer. Surgery is needed to repair this defect in the abdominal wall to restore integrity to the muscle layer.
- Minimally invasive robotic surgery involving 3 small (1/4 inch) incisions for faster recovery, less complications, and less pain.
- Outpatient surgery, patient goes home the same day
- No heavy lifting for 2-4 weeks after surgery
- Most advanced hernia repair techniques
Part of the repair for any hernia involves laying a piece of mesh over the repaired muscle layer to offload the pressure from inside the abdomen and significantly reduce the risk for recurrence of the hernia. The mesh is an inert material that the body gently grows into and incorporates into the strength layer of the muscle wall. Mesh gets a bad rap from lawyers who like to scare patients with bad mesh outcomes from the 1980’s. To this date, we have not had any mesh related complications or complaints.
Understanding Different Types of Hernias
Abdominal hernias occur when a portion of the abdominal organs begins to protrude through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. The most common types include inguinal, umbilical, and incisional hernias. Some of the factors that could contribute to abdominal hernias include heavy lifting, persistent coughing, obesity, pregnancy, and previous abdominal surgeries. Weakness in the abdominal wall can also be congenital.
Symptoms for abdominal hernias may vary from a visible bulge or lump in the abdomen to discomfort or pain, especially during physical activities. In severe cases, hernias can cause nausea, vomiting, and constipation. In some cases, your surgeon may need to perform surgical repair for symptomatic or complicated hernias. Minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopic surgery are often preferred due to quicker recovery times and reduced post-operative pain.
Hiatal hernias occur when a portion of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. The exact cause of hiatal hernias is not always clear, but factors such as age, obesity, frequent heavy lifting, and persistent coughing may contribute. Weakness in the diaphragm muscle or increased pressure in the abdomen can also play a role. Symptoms can include heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation of food or liquids, and in severe cases, anemia due to bleeding.
Treatment for hiatal hernias typically involves lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and avoiding triggers that exacerbate symptoms like spicy foods and large meals. Medications may be prescribed to manage acid reflux. In cases where symptoms persist or complications arise, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair the hernia and reinforce the diaphragm.