You might have heard about hernia being a condition in which an organ or fatty tissues contained in a bodily cavity protrudes through a weak spot in the wall of that cavity. There are many different types of hernia, but, the most common location that is prone to hernia is the abdomen. So, commonly hernias are like lumps that develop on the abdominal and groin area. This does not mean that hernia develops in these regions only. For example, hiatal hernia develops when the upper part of the stomach protrudes into the chest cavity, through the esophageal opening. Spinal hernias are also not uncommon. So, abdominal hernias are the most common one and this may be due to the fact that various medical conditions are found to increase the pressure inside the abdominal cavity, paving a way to weakening of the cavity wall and hernias. Femoral hernias are one among the different abdominal hernia types. Continue reading this article for some information about what causes femoral hernia.
What is Femoral Hernia
Femoral hernia is a type of abdominal hernia that is uncommon, as compared to inguinal ones. As mentioned earlier, an abdominal hernia is a protrusion or lump that develops from the abdomen, when a part of an organ or fatty tissues squeeze out through a weak spot in the wall of the abdominal cavity. In case of a femoral hernia, such a bulge or lump is found to develop below the leg crease, where the thighs meet the torso. The most common abdominal hernias called inguinal hernias are found to develop in the groin area, especially, from the inguinal region just above the leg crease. As both these hernia types are found to develop in nearby regions, it may get difficult to distinguish them. However, femoral hernias are found to be somewhat round in shape, as compared to inguinal ones and the former is mainly found in women, especially, the middle-aged and older members.
In case of femoral hernia, the abdominal contents are found to protrude through the femoral canal, which is the pathway through which the femoral artery, vein, and nerve travel from the abdomen to the thigh. Such protrusions are found as bulges on the thigh, just below the leg crease. This canal is normally found to be too tight, to allow the intestinal contents to protrude through it. Unlike most of the other hernia types, femoral hernias are mostly irreversible (returned to normal state) and are associated with high risks of strangulation (blockage of blood supply to the protruded part). If left untreated, these hernias may lead to complication, like strangulation, which is an emergency condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Femoral Hernia Causes and Symptoms
So, the basic cause of a femoral hernia is the weakness at the femoral canal, through which the abdominal contents (usually the intestines) protrude. Such a weakening can be caused by various factors. This includes aging, excess strain on the abdominal wall in this area, obesity, etc. This condition may also be congenital in some people. Excess strain on the abdomen is a common cause for femoral hernia and the contributory factors are heavy weight lifting, incessant cough, constipation, strenuous physical activities and straining to urinate. Women are said to be more prone to develop femoral hernias and it may be due to the wider bone structure in the female pelvis. Even pregnancy is considered as a contributory factor for development of hernia in women.
While some of the minor femoral hernias do not cause any symptoms, some others are characterized by a lump or bulge located on the inner thigh, below the leg crease. The lump may disappear in supine position. The size of the lump may increase or decrease as per pressure variations inside the intestines. Some of the affected people may have utter discomfort and pain. Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting may also develop in some patients. Apart from the above said ones, hernia symptoms in women include intense menstrual cramps. In some severe cases of femoral hernia, the menstrual flow may also get altered.
Femoral Hernia Repair
Diagnosis of femoral hernia is made with the help of physical examinations and tests like CT scanning and ultrasound. As it is a condition that is not found to subside on its own and may also cause complications, treatment is inevitable for femoral hernia. In minor cases, a doctor may adopt a wait and watch policy. In some cases, the hernia may get strangulated, or lead to peritonitis, perforation of the intestine and gangrene, causing severe symptoms. These are emergency conditions that require immediate treatment. In most cases, surgical repair is the treatment for femoral hernia. The protruded part is pushed back to its normal position and the weak spot (through which the protrusion happened) is sutured.
Now, you have a fair idea about what causes femoral hernia and what are the symptoms and treatment for the condition. This article is purely for informational purposes and so, if you develop any such bulge or other related symptoms, you have to contact your doctor and get it diagnosed and treated at the earliest.
What is Femoral Hernia
Femoral hernia is a type of abdominal hernia that is uncommon, as compared to inguinal ones. As mentioned earlier, an abdominal hernia is a protrusion or lump that develops from the abdomen, when a part of an organ or fatty tissues squeeze out through a weak spot in the wall of the abdominal cavity. In case of a femoral hernia, such a bulge or lump is found to develop below the leg crease, where the thighs meet the torso. The most common abdominal hernias called inguinal hernias are found to develop in the groin area, especially, from the inguinal region just above the leg crease. As both these hernia types are found to develop in nearby regions, it may get difficult to distinguish them. However, femoral hernias are found to be somewhat round in shape, as compared to inguinal ones and the former is mainly found in women, especially, the middle-aged and older members.
In case of femoral hernia, the abdominal contents are found to protrude through the femoral canal, which is the pathway through which the femoral artery, vein, and nerve travel from the abdomen to the thigh. Such protrusions are found as bulges on the thigh, just below the leg crease. This canal is normally found to be too tight, to allow the intestinal contents to protrude through it. Unlike most of the other hernia types, femoral hernias are mostly irreversible (returned to normal state) and are associated with high risks of strangulation (blockage of blood supply to the protruded part). If left untreated, these hernias may lead to complication, like strangulation, which is an emergency condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Femoral Hernia Causes and Symptoms
So, the basic cause of a femoral hernia is the weakness at the femoral canal, through which the abdominal contents (usually the intestines) protrude. Such a weakening can be caused by various factors. This includes aging, excess strain on the abdominal wall in this area, obesity, etc. This condition may also be congenital in some people. Excess strain on the abdomen is a common cause for femoral hernia and the contributory factors are heavy weight lifting, incessant cough, constipation, strenuous physical activities and straining to urinate. Women are said to be more prone to develop femoral hernias and it may be due to the wider bone structure in the female pelvis. Even pregnancy is considered as a contributory factor for development of hernia in women.
While some of the minor femoral hernias do not cause any symptoms, some others are characterized by a lump or bulge located on the inner thigh, below the leg crease. The lump may disappear in supine position. The size of the lump may increase or decrease as per pressure variations inside the intestines. Some of the affected people may have utter discomfort and pain. Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting may also develop in some patients. Apart from the above said ones, hernia symptoms in women include intense menstrual cramps. In some severe cases of femoral hernia, the menstrual flow may also get altered.
Femoral Hernia Repair
Diagnosis of femoral hernia is made with the help of physical examinations and tests like CT scanning and ultrasound. As it is a condition that is not found to subside on its own and may also cause complications, treatment is inevitable for femoral hernia. In minor cases, a doctor may adopt a wait and watch policy. In some cases, the hernia may get strangulated, or lead to peritonitis, perforation of the intestine and gangrene, causing severe symptoms. These are emergency conditions that require immediate treatment. In most cases, surgical repair is the treatment for femoral hernia. The protruded part is pushed back to its normal position and the weak spot (through which the protrusion happened) is sutured.
Now, you have a fair idea about what causes femoral hernia and what are the symptoms and treatment for the condition. This article is purely for informational purposes and so, if you develop any such bulge or other related symptoms, you have to contact your doctor and get it diagnosed and treated at the earliest.
No comments:
Post a Comment