National Hernia Awareness Month: Symptoms and Treatments You Need to Know

June is National Hernia Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to a common yet often misunderstood condition. At Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville, Cleveland, and Johnson City, TN, we can help shine a light on important information about hernias, their symptoms, causes, and treatment options. Being informed can help you recognize the signs early and seek appropriate care.

What is a Hernia?

A hernia occurs when an internal organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue. Although hernias can appear in different parts of the body, they most commonly occur in the abdominal region. The primary types of hernias include:

• Inguinal Hernia: Found in the groin area, this type is more prevalent in men.
• Femoral Hernia: Located just below the groin, more commonly affecting women.
• Umbilical Hernia: Occurs around the belly button, often seen in infants but can also affect adults.
• Hiatal Hernia: Happens when part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity.
• Incisional Hernia: Develops at the site of a previous surgical incision.

Common Symptoms of Hernias

The symptoms of a hernia can vary based on its type and location. However, some common signs to be aware of include:

• A noticeable bulge: This is often the most obvious symptom and may become more prominent when standing, coughing, or straining.
• Pain or discomfort: Especially noticeable when lifting, bending, or engaging in physical activities.
• A heavy or dragging sensation: Typically in the groin area.
• Weakness or pressure: Felt in the affected area.
• Burning or aching: At the site of the bulge.

In some cases, a hernia can lead to serious complications, such as strangulation, where the blood supply to the herniated tissue is cut off. This situation requires immediate medical attention and can present with symptoms like severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and a rapid increase in the size of the bulge.

Causes and Risk Factors

Several factors can contribute to the development of a hernia, including:

• Genetic predisposition: A family history of hernias can increase risk.
• Chronic coughing: Often due to conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Heavy lifting: Frequently lifting heavy objects without proper technique.
• Obesity: Excess weight adds pressure on abdominal muscles.
• Pregnancy: Increased weight and pressure on the abdominal wall.
• Previous surgeries: Scar tissue and weakened muscles from past surgeries.

Hernia Treatment Options

There are various ways to treat hernias depending on the type and severity. Common approaches include:

Watchful Waiting

For small, asymptomatic hernias, a watch-and-wait approach may be recommended, especially if the hernia is not causing discomfort or complications.

Lifestyle Modifications

Certain lifestyle changes can help manage hernia symptoms and prevent them from worsening. These include maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding heavy lifting, and managing chronic cough or constipation.

Surgical Repair

Surgery is often the definitive treatment for hernias, particularly if they cause pain or pose a risk of complications. The two main surgical techniques are:

• Open Hernia Repair: A traditional approach where the surgeon makes an incision near the hernia site and repairs the weakened area with sutures, mesh, or both.
• Laparoscopic Hernia Repair: A minimally invasive procedure involving several small incisions and the use of a laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera) to guide the repair. At Premier Surgical, our surgeons specialize in laparoscopic hernia repair as this method typically results in shorter recovery times and less postoperative pain.

National Hernia Awareness Month is an excellent opportunity to learn about the symptoms and treatments of hernias. If you notice any signs of a hernia, it’s important to seek medical advice promptly. Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville, Cleveland, and Johnson City, TN can help.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a physician at one of our East Tennessee offices and take the first step toward effective treatment and relief. Your health and well-being are our top priorities.

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Hernia Removal at Premier Surgical Associates

Hernias can be a painful and uncomfortable condition that can interfere with your daily life. At Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville, Cleveland, and Johnson City, TN, our surgeons understand the impact that a hernia can have on your quality of life. That’s why we offer safe and effective hernia surgical repair procedures to help you regain your quality of life.

Symptoms and Treatment of Hernias

Hernias occur when an organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or tissue. Common symptoms include bulging or swelling in the affected area, pain or discomfort, and a feeling of pressure or heaviness.

If left untreated, hernias can cause complications such as bowel obstruction or strangulation, which can be life-threatening. That’s why it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible.

Expert Hernia Treatment at Premier Surgical Associates

Our board-certified surgeons have years of experience in diagnosing and repairing large and small hernias. We offer a variety of treatment options depending on the type and severity of your hernia, including open hernia repair, laparoscopic hernia repair, and robotic-assisted hernia repair.

Outpatient Simple Hernia Removal at Premier Surgical Surgery Center

At Premier Surgical Surgery Center in Knoxville, we offer outpatient simple hernia removal procedures. This minimally invasive procedure is performed under local anesthesia and allows patients to return home the same day. Our state-of-the-art facility and experienced surgical team ensure that you receive the highest quality care.

Regain Your Quality of Life with Premier Surgical Associates

At Premier Surgical Associates, our goal is to help you regain your quality of life. Our expert surgeons and state-of-the-art facility ensure that you receive the highest quality care. Contact us today to request an appointment and find out how we can help you get back to the life you love.

Don’t let hernias interfere with your quality of life. Contact Premier Surgical Associates today to schedule a consultation and find out how our expert surgeons can help you regain your quality of life with safe and effective hernia removal procedures. If you require outpatient simple hernia removal, our Premier Surgical Surgery Center has state-of-the-art facilities and experienced surgical teams to ensure the highest quality care. For more information about the Premier Surgical Surgery Center, please visit https://www.premiersurgicalsurgerycenter.com/about/

The post Hernia Removal at Premier Surgical Associates first appeared on Premier Surgical.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, over 5 million Americans suffer from a hernia.

What is a hernia?
A hernia is a condition that occurs when a part of your internal organ or tissue bulges or protrudes through a weak area of a muscle. Although hernias can happen in any part of the body, the most common site is the abdominal area.

There are different kinds of hernia. This includes:

• Inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia is the bulging of the abdominal contents through a weak spot in the lower abdominal area. More prevalent in men, this type can occur in either one of the two passages of the abdominal wall (one on each groin), although it usually develops on the right side.

When left untreated, the contents that bulge can get stuck outside the abdominal wall and gets strangulated. When this happens, the blood flow to the hernia is cut off. This can lead to the death of the strangulated part.

• Femoral hernia
A femoral hernia can happen when the bulge occurs in the upper part of the thigh near the groin.

Unlike the inguinal hernia, this type is more commonly seen in women than in men. It usually affects those who are obese or pregnant.

• Incisional or ventral hernia
This type pertains to the protrusion or bulging of the sac/pouch from the inner lining of the abdomen through a weak spot in the abdominal area. This usually occurs at the site of an old surgical incision.

• Umbilical hernia
When the bulging or protrusion of the abdominal contents/organs happens around the belly button, you have what we call the umbilical hernia. This is common in infants and occurs when the muscle through which the umbilical cord passes does not close completely after birth.

• Hiatal hernia
This type of hernia refers to the protrusion of the upper part of the stomach through an opening in your diaphragm. Since your diaphragm keeps your stomach acid from getting into your esophagus, having a hiatal hernia may cause heartburn.

What are the signs and symptoms?
The signs and symptoms of a hernia vary, depending on the type you have. Some even don’t cause any symptoms and are only discovered during a medical exam. However, most types of hernias share some similar symptoms, such as:

• An obvious bulge under the skin in the groin or abdominal area
• A burning or aching sensation on the bulge
• Discomfort on the site of the protrusion especially when coughing, bending over, or lifting
• Groin weakness or pressure

How are hernias treated?
Surgery is usually recommended if the hernia is growing and/or causing pain.

If the hernia is a small one, this can be repaired using a mesh material to reinforce and support the weakened spot. It can be done either through an open or laparoscopic technique. Premier Surgical physicians often perform simple hernia repair at the Premier Surgery Center in Knoxville.

For a very large hernia or in cases of multiple failed hernia repairs, more advanced complex hernia repair techniques are required to treat the condition. Complex hernia surgeries are performed in a hospital setting.

Dr. Michael Antiporda, Dr. Kristopher Williams, and Dr. David Schutter are board certified general surgeons with Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville, TN, who handle hernia repair ranging from simple to complex. They will access your hernia and recommend the most suitable treatment option for a lasting repair.

To request with a Premier Surgical hernia surgeon, fill out our HERNIA CENTER APPOINTMENT REQUEST.

The post Hernia: Signs, Symptoms, Different types of Hernias first appeared on Premier Surgical.

What’s a hernia?
A hernia is a medical condition that occurs when an organ or fatty tissue pushes through its surrounding muscle or tissue. One could develop it as a result of muscle weakness, heavy lifting, persistent coughing or sneezing, obesity, and diarrhea or constipation.

How do you know you have a hernia?
The following signs and symptoms may indicate that you have a hernia:

• A bulge in the groin or scrotum
• Feeling of heaviness in the groin or abdominal area
• A feeling of discomfort in the groin area which worsens during heavy lifting
• Pain when standing for too long
• Pain or feeling of discomfort when peeing or during a bowel movement

Hernia Repair at Premier Surgical of Knoxville and Cleveland
Hernia repair can vary, depending on the type of hernia you have. For simple hernias, the hole is usually repaired laparoscopically, using mesh material. It’s an outpatient surgery, on which patients can go home after the procedure.

For complex hernias, that is, hernias that failed to close after several attempts to close it can be ‘treated’ using advanced hernia repair techniques. As complex hernias are often associated with higher complication and recurrence rates and hence, care for it requires unique expertise and experience.

Premier Surgical Associates of Knoxville and Cleveland has surgeons who are well-experienced in treating both simple and complex hernias. General surgeons Dr. Shannon Beierle, Dr. Jason Dunn, Dr. Eston Wenger and Dr. Joshua Worthington serve hernia patients in the Cleveland, Tennessee area.

In Knoxville, Premier Surgical offers simple hernia repair at a packaged price and performed at the Premier Surgery Center on Papermill Drive.

As with complex hernias, extensive planning and in-patient hospitalization are usually required. The cost depends on the severity of the hernia and the extent of the needed repair.

To request an appointment with one of our surgeons in Knoxville or Cleveland, visit https://www.premiersurgical.com/request-appointment/.  Or, in Cleveland call (423) 472-5423. In Knoxville call (865) 306-5775.

References:
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-hernia-basics
https://www.geisinger.org/health-and-wellness/wellness-articles/2017/03/22/13/58/signs-you-might-have-a-hernia

The post We Treat All Kinds of Hernias from Simple to Complex first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Hernia is a common medical condition. It occurs when an organ or body tissue pushes itself through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue. 

Hernias are very common in the abdominal area but they can also develop in other areas such as the belly button, groin, and upper thigh.

What causes a hernia?

Hernias, in general, occur as a result of pressure and an opening or weakness of muscle or fascia. In some cases, the muscle weakness is present at birth but oftentimes, it occurs later in life. 

Anything that causes an increase in pressure in the abdominal area can increase one’s chance of having hernias. This includes heavy lifting without stabilizing the abdominal muscles, persistent coughing or sneezing, and constant diarrhea and constipation.

Being obese and a smoker also increase one’s risk of developing hernias. These factors can weaken muscles, which make hernias more likely to occur. 

What are the symptoms of hernia?

The most common symptom of a hernia is a lump or bulge on the affected area. For example, if you have an inguinal hernia, you may notice a lump on either side of your pubic bone. You are more likely to feel this lump when you stand, bend down, or cough.

Other common symptoms of hernia include pain or discomfort, a feeling of pressure or heaviness, and an aching sensation on the affected site.

How are hernias treated?

Treatment options for hernia depends on its size and the severity of the symptoms. Initially, the doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to help ease the symptoms. This includes losing weight (if obese or overweight) and avoiding large meals and lying down or bending over after eating. Although these things can help minimize the symptoms, these won’t make the hernia go away. 

Surgery is the only way to treat hernia. It is often recommended for large hernias that are constantly causing discomfort. 

At Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville and Cleveland, we offer offer different surgical options for hernia. We offer the laparoscopic repair, a minimally invasive procedure for pushing the organs or tissues back to their original position. If appropriate, we also do open hernia repair, the more conventional procedure in which the surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen or groin.

Your Premier Surgical physician will discuss these treatment options with you and determine the best repair method for your case. IF you have a high insurance deductible or are not insured,  Premier Surgical offers convenient package for basic hernia prepare performed at our Surgery Center on Papermill Drive. Visit https://www.premiersurgerypackages.com/ or call (865) 306-5755 for more details. 

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/hernia

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-hernia-basics

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/142334.php

The post Hernia Month first appeared on Premier Surgical.

An abdominal wall hernia is a weakness or hole in the abdominal muscles through which organs or tissue may protrude. The signs and symptoms of hernia depend on the type of hernia. Some hernias don’t cause any symptoms, but are discovered during medical exams. Some common symptoms include:

• A bulge under the skin in the groin or other abdominal area
• A burning or aching sensation at the bulge
• Groin pain or discomfort, especially when bending over, coughing or lifting
• Groin weakness or pressure

Hernia can affect men, women and children. A hernia may be the result of a defect or weakness in the abdominal wall at birth, or a weakness caused by age, injury or a previous surgical incision.

Hernia Repair at Premier Surgical

Premier Surgical physicians treat all types of hernias -from routine to very complex cases. Listen to Dr. Kristopher Williams discuss hernia repair and care in the video below.

The post Expert Hernia Repair and Care first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Different Types of Hernia

There are different types of hernia. The most common ones are:

1. Inguinal hernia
   Accounting for about 70 percent of all hernia cases, an inguinal hernia is the most common type. It occurs when the intestines protrude through a weak spot in the abdominal wall.
2. Hiatal hernia
   A hiatal hernia is usually seen in people over the age of 50. It occurs when part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm, the large muscle that separates the chest and the abdomen.
3. Femoral hernia
   Mostly likely to occur in women, a femoral hernia appears just below the groin crease. This type of hernia occurs as a result of weakness in the lower groin area, allowing the intestinal sac to drop into the femoral canal.
4. Umbilical hernia
   This type of hernia develops near the navel or belly button. It usually occurs in infants or just after birth but may resolve at three or four years of age.
5. Incisional hernia
   As its name implies, an incisional hernia develops at the site of previous surgery. It may develop weeks, months, or even years after the surgery. This requires immediate attention as it can get extremely difficult to repair.

What causes a hernia?

Hernias often develop as a result of muscle weakness and strain. This can be due to a congenital defect (e.g. failure of the abdominal wall to close properly in the womb), damage from an injury or surgery, age-related changes, chronic coughing, or certain factors that cause the body to strain (e.g. pregnancy, constipation, heavy lifting, persistent coughing or sneezing).

What are the symptoms of hernia?

A lump or bulge in the area is the most common sign of a hernia. This lump may be felt when you stand up, cough, or bend down.

Other symptoms of a hernia include discomfort or pain on the affected site, pressure, weakness, or feeling of heaviness in the abdomen (in cases of inguinal hernia), and difficulty in swallowing (in cases of hiatal hernia).

Hernia Treatment at Premier Surgical Associates

Hernias can be treated. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, it can be managed through lifestyle change, medications, and surgery. If your hernia is causing pain and affecting your daily life, surgery may be recommended, as it is the only treatment that can eliminate the hernia altogether.

The physicians of Premier Surgical in Knoxville treat all types of hernias -from routine to very complex cases, such as recurrent hernias. When surgery is the best option, we’re here for you.

Premier Surgical’s offers packaged surgery pricing for basic hernia repair procedures performed at the Premier Office Based Surgery Center in west Knoxville. Avoid surgery “sticker shock” with one, packaged price. You’ll know the cost of surgery before you have it, and you won’t have multiple medical bills to pay. You choose your procedure and your surgeon. Your package includes everything involved in your surgery. You know the total cost upfront, with no surprises or hidden fees! Request a consultation today!  

The post Hernia Awareness Month first appeared on Premier Surgical.

A hernia is the bulging of an organ or fatty tissue through an abdominal opening. According to the Food and Drug Administration, hernia repair is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States. Over one million American undergo some type of hernia surgery annually.

Basic Abdominal Hernias

An abdominal hernia is the most common type of hernia. It happens when an organ or another piece of tissue protrudes through a weakening in one of the muscle walls of the abdominal cavity.

The content of the bulging sac depends on the site where the hernia develops. If the hernia occurs in the abdominal wall, then the sac may contain a fatty lining of the colon or a piece of an intestine.

Abdominal hernias, in general, are caused by a combination of pressure and weakness within the abdominal wall. This weakness may be present at birth or may occur later in life.

Treatment options for hernia will depend on several factors, including the location, size and type of hernia as well as the severity of the symptoms. For common small hernias such as an inguinal or umbilical hernia, the hole or weakness is often repaired using a mesh material, commonly with laparoscopic techniques. For non-complex hernias, the repair is usually performed as outpatient surgery and patients can normally go home the same day.

Complex Abdominal Hernias

A regular, or basic hernia can become complex if the repeated attempts to close the hole fails. When hernia repair fails and the person has a recurrent hernia, each successive surgery will be less successful as the surrounding tissues can become weak or stretched.

In cases of multiple previous failed hernia repairs, if there is catastrophic injury to the abdominal wall, or for very large hernia, advanced hernia repair techniques may be required in order to reconstruct the abdominal wall properly.

Care for complex abdominal hernias requires unique expertise, especially because complex hernias are associated with higher complication and recurrence rates. When performed properly by specially trained surgeons, complex hernia repair generally has a low rate of relapse, resulting in a long-term functional repair with an esthetically-improved result.

Hernia Repair with Premier Surgical Packages

Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville offers Premier Surgery Packages to patients undergoing basic hernia repair. Simple hernia repair is offered at a packaged price and performed at the Premier Surgical Office Based Surgery Suites on Papermill Drive.

Please note that complex hernia repair is an advanced procedure that often involves abdominal wall reconstruction. Extensive planning and in-patient hospitalization are always required for complex hernia repair. The total cost of the surgery will depend on the severity of the hernia and extent of the repair needed – and these types of procedures are not included in packaged pricing.

The severity of abdominal hernias and the complexity of the surgery needed can vary widely, so our team will assess your condition and recommend the most appropriate surgical approach for your repair.

The post Basic Hernia VS Complex Hernia first appeared on Premier Surgical.

People with jobs that require heavy lifting are at higher  risk of developing an inguinal hernia. This type of hernia occurs when the intestinal tissues push through the inguinal canal.

Like other types of hernia, there are several possible factors that can lead to the development of an inguinal hernia. Weak spots within the abdominal and groin muscles are believed to be major contributing factors.

Strenuous activities like heavy lifting may not directly cause inguinal hernia but they can aggravate it.

Treating Inguinal Hernias

Inguinal hernias can be a source of discomfort. Aside from the bothersome bulge that forms along the groin area, this type of hernia can be painful and sensitive to touch. The pain can also be accompanied by burning sensation and a feeling of ‘heaviness’ in the groin area.

Surgery is the primary treatment for an inguinal hernia. Your surgeon will recommend either the traditional hernia repair called herniorrhaphy or a minimally-invasive laparoscopic procedure.

If your job has aggravated a hernia, you may be able to receive treatment help through worker’s compensation. As an employee, you normally won’t have to pay anything out of your pocket. You file a claim and the benefits that you’ll receive will depend on the severity of the injury you sustained while on the job.

Premier Surgical in Knoxville offers different surgical treatment options for your hernia. We’ve developed a process that can get you back to your job very quickly, and we work with companies on worker’s compensation cases.

For assessment and inquiries about our hernia repair surgeries, contact us today.

The post Jobs That May Aggravate Hernia first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Mary traveled from Kingsport to Knoxville to have her complex hernia repaired.

“Mary had rectus flap reconstruction, and that surgery resulted in a hernia because they had to take muscle to reconstruct the breast, leaving the abdominal wall weaker,” says general surgeon Joel “Trey” Bradley III, MD, of Premier Surgical. Dr. Bradley specializes in complex hernias.

“I had a bulge, and I wore an abdominal binder to keep everything tight where they’d removed the belly fat,” Jeffers says.

But even while wearing the binder she was in pain, and there were times when the only way to find relief was to lie down, sometimes even placing her hand on the hernia bulge and pushing it back into her abdomen.

Her case was so complicated that Jeffers chose to make an appointment with Dr. Bradley in Knoxville.

In September 2016, Jeffers had double incisional hernia repair above her belly button, performed by Dr. Bradley and his colleague, Premier Surgical general surgeon Kris Williams, MD, who is located at Parkwest Medical Center.

“Two of her muscle groups were missing,” Dr. Bradley says, “so the trick was repairing hernias based on the muscle groups that were still there.”

The complex surgical procedure was a success in every way. “Fort Sanders Regional was amazing,” Jeffers says. “Dr. Bradley came every morning and he came every evening.” An anesthesiologist came at least twice a day too, and Jeffers says the nurses were some of the most knowledgeable she’s ever met over the course of her multiple medical procedures. Best of all are the results.

“I have not had to wear the binder since the surgery and I can do whatever I want – I can go out to eat and it doesn’t bother me, I can lay on my stomach and it doesn’t bother me – it’s awesome.”

Jeffers highly recommends Dr. Bradley and Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. “It was a really good experience, and Dr. Bradley is amazing,” she says. “He is someone who takes time to listen and explain things – and not in the big medical terms that I don’t understand!”

Jeffers says she would gladly choose to place her care in the hands of Dr. Bradley and Fort Sanders Regional again.

The post Final Fix: Patient Goes the Distance for Hernia Repair first appeared on Premier Surgical.