According to foreign media such as Britain’s Daily Mail on the 25th (local time), Paul Milham (45)’s stomach began to swell in June of last year. Last April, Milham underwent surgery to repair diverticula (small abnormal sacs that protrude to the outside of the organ) in his colon. His surgery was successful, but after two months he noticed that his stomach was swollen. Milham said, “Because I developed a hernia, my stomach became more and more swollen, and now my stomach looks like someone who is seven months pregnant.” He added, “I suffer from pain every day because my skin keeps stretching,” and “I’m afraid to go outside because of people’s stares.” However, the medical staff determined that Milham’s condition was not life-threatening and continued to postpone his surgery. Milham said, “I want to have surgery quickly and get my appearance and daily life back.”
A hernia, which Milham suffered from, is a phenomenon in which an organ in the body is out of place and protrudes or protrudes through other tissues. Hernias can occur anywhere in the body, but most often occur in the abdominal wall. A hernia occurs when organs covered with fatty tissue or peritoneum protrude through tiny gaps in the weakened abdominal wall. If intra-abdominal pressure is chronically high due to pregnancy or an enlarged prostate, a hernia is likely to occur. In addition, obesity, chronic constipation, and chronic coughing are also risk factors for hernia.
Symptoms of a hernia vary depending on the cause and where it occurs. In the early stages of a hernia, it protrudes so small that it is barely noticeable. A soft lump can be felt under the skin, and in most cases, no pain is felt. Then, if you press the protruding part, it returns to its normal position. However, as the hernia progresses, it cannot return to its normal position and interferes with blood circulation. Because of this, there is a risk of necrosis of the hernia area. Patients may also experience abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever.
Hernia treatment varies depending on the degree of progression. If treated in the early stage, you can try gently massaging the hernia area with your hands or pushing the contents into it. Unless you are an elderly patient with no symptoms or only mild symptoms, most patients require surgery. Unless it is an emergency surgery with serious symptoms, it is best for most patients to treat the cause of increased abdominal pressure before undergoing surgery. After surgery, you must be careful as complications such as infection and nerve damage may occur.
Hernia can be prevented through lifestyle habits. It is important to maintain a weight appropriate for your height and age. Another way to prevent constipation is by exercising regularly and consuming enough dietary fiber. It is better not to lift heavy objects often, and when lifting objects, you should use your arm and leg muscles to reduce tension in your abdomen.
