2. WHAT’S A HERNIA?
A hernia is disease
that occurs when a
part of an organ
(normally your
intestines) bulges out
towards your skin
because of a weak
muscle.
3. WHY DOES A HERNIA
HAPPEN?
A hernia happens when you
weaken a muscle near an
organ and you don't re-
strengthen it. A part of that
organ that’s near the weak
muscle bulges out to your
skin and there's a visible
lump: Hernia.
4. SYMPTOMS OF HERNIAS:
A hernia will be sore if you try to use it.
There is a visible bulge or swelling where the pain
is located.
You struggle to get rid of feces.
You will experience a dragging/aching feeling in
and around the hernia.
You will feel horrible pain. For each patient the
feeling is different (sharp, dull, burning, etc.)
5. WHICH BODY SYSTEMS ARE AFFECTED:
Any system can be affected. However, the abdominal organs are
frequently affected. The intestines are the organs that usually
have the hernia.
Intestines:
6. CAN A HERNIA BE TRANSMITTED?
A hernia can’t be
transmitted. It can
develop due to
heavy lifting or
obesity.
7. HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A
HERNIA?
You know you have a
hernia when:
• There’s a visible
bulge.
• You feel nauseated
and you feel like
vomiting.
• You feel horrible
pain where the
hernia is.
8. CAN A HERNIA BE CURED?
A hernia can be cured by a
simple operation:
The doctor puts the part of
the organ back in place and
repairs the weak muscle. The
doctor might perform an open
surgery or a laparoscopic
surgery depending on the type
of hernia the patient has.
This is a video of a
laparoscopic surgery done
onto a ventral hernia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=6FMB50yFFLE&feature=playe
r_embedded
9. WHAT IS THE OUTCOME OF THE DISEASE?
If you get surgery, you feel a lot of
pain but the doctor gives you
painkillers. You also can’t lift
heavy objects for 3 months and
you shouldn’t do normal activities
for a week. You can relieve pain
by doing gentle exercises.
If you don’t get a surgery, the
hernia might turn into a twisted
hernia. A twisted hernia leads to
damage to the organ and worse
pain than before. If this happens
the hernia needs immediate
surgery.
10. WHICH PEOPLE ARE
AT RISK?
People who are more prone to get a
hernia:
Are obese (Carrying so much weight
around all the time can weaken their
muscles.)
Lift heavy weights. (They can strain
their muscles if they lift heavy
weights.)
Are males.
Have hernias in their family history.
Are pregnant. (Carrying so much
weight around can strain their
muscles.)
Cough frequently. (If you cough
frequently you strain your muscles
and you could get a hernia.)
11. HOW TO PREVENT HERNIAS
Some hernias, such as an abdominal
hernia, can be prevented. In order to
prevent these hernias you:
Shouldn’t get overweight.
Shouldn’t lift heavy objects.
Should have a high fiber diet.
Shouldn’t smoke. (The substance
inhaled and the constant coughing can
strain your muscles.)
12. GLOSSARY:
Laparoscopic surgery: A laparoscopic Twisted hernia: A twisted hernia happens
surgery is when a doctor operates a when too much of the organ enters the
patient from inside with a video gap in the muscle. The organ gets
camera and very small tools. squeezed and the blood gets cut off.
13. If you listen to this song; be aware that you will not be able to get it
out of your head for a couple of hours…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRHy_S_Fhs4
