National Hernia Awareness Month

June is National Hernia Awareness Month

National Hernia Awareness Month recognizes that hernias affect millions of Americans, but only a portion of those suffering seek any kind of medical treatment. National Hernia Awareness Month is observed each June in order to raise public awareness about hernias and effective hernia treatment. A hernia occurs when there is a weakness in the wall of the area it occurs. There are a number of places and types of hernias that can occur within the body. The awareness color for hernias is white. Some use teal to represent hernias. And others use orange to represent this awareness month. Wear a white, teal, or orange enamel awareness ribbon pin, fabric ribbon, or white, teal, or orange silicone awareness wristband bracelet.

Wear White, Teal or Orange for National Hernia Awareness Month

What Is A Hernia? Learn More During National Hernia Awareness Month

A hernia is an uncomfortable condition in which an organ or bit of tissue slips through a weakness or tear and protrudes in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue that holds the abdominal organs in place. It can occur and develop anywhere in the body, especially in the abdominal wall. There are different types of hernias based on their anatomical location. Inguinal hernia is the most common hernia type.

Who Is At Risk?

Most people with hernias have a common set of signs and symptoms. People at risk of developing a hernia are typically those performing chronic lifting or activities that involving straining (such as chronic cough or constipation), which increases intra-abdominal pressure.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms?

Oftentimes, hernias are visibly noticeable as a protrusion from the abdomen. Soreness and discomfort when bending or lifting are also common symptoms. If these symptoms affect you, having a doctor check for a hernia can help with diagnosing.

Identifying hernias in a timely manner can avoid medical complications that require emergency surgery. An untreated hernia doesn’t go away on its own and can lead to obstruction of a passage or block blood supply if the hernia enlarges.

The first sign of a hernia most people will notice is a bulge or lump in the area where the hernia is taking place. In some cases, there are no symptoms of a hernia.

Symptoms of a inguinal hernia include:

• Pain in the affected area, especially when bending over, coughing or lifting.
• Burning, gurgling or aching in the area of the hernia bulge.
• Weakness, pressure or a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen.

Symptoms of a hiatal hernia include:

• Chest pain.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Acid reflux.

How Are Hernias Treated?

The treatment of a hernia is almost always surgery. Hernia repairs are now common and routine surgical procedures require small incisions with patients returning home a few hours after surgery.

A hernia occurs when there is a weakness in the wall of the area it occurs. There are a number of places and types of hernias that can occur within the body.

• Abdominal Hernia – Also referred to as a ventral hernia, abdominal hernias are generally a protrusion that occurs above the belt. This happens due to a weakness in the abdominal wall.
• Hiatal Hernia – This type of hernia is closely connected and can coincide with a Para-esophageal Hernia, with the main symptom being gastric reflux or GERD. A hiatal hernia can commonly reoccur after surgery to repair it.
• Umbilical Hernia – Occurs around or in your belly button.
• Incisional Hernia – Occurs at the incision line of a previous surgery, due to the cutting of the skin, tissue, and muscles in that particular area creating a weakened site.
• Femoral Hernia – Occurs at the top of the leg or groin area. These types of hernias are more common in women and tend to be recurrent after a hernia has been repaired.
• Inguinal Hernia – Occurs below the belt and on either side or both sides of the groin and/or the scrotum area. This particular hernia is more common in men and can also be recurrent, even after surgery.

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