Hernia
When Do You Know a Hernia Is an Emergency?
Hernias are exceptionally common, with upwards of 25% of men developing an inguinal or groin hernia over their lives. Of course, only a fraction of these men get the hernia repaired because, for most, it never materializes with pain or discomfort. Similarly, while very few women experience groin hernias, they are more susceptible to femoral hernias, those that appear as bulges in the upper thigh. Both men and women have a risk of umbilical and incisional hernias in the abdomen […]
GERD and Long-Term PPI Use
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are often very appropriate and effective for measurable acidic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease GERD. PPI use may be less appropriately prescribed in situations of functional dyspepsia (where recurrent indigestion has no apparent cause) and where motility problems of the GI tract may be responsible for heartburn symptoms often overlapping with symptoms of actual acidic GERD. Allergic esophagitis may also mimic GERD, and treatment with PPIs may have been attempted.
Hernias & Hernia Surgery – Truths and Myths
Hernia surgery is one of the most performed general surgical procedures in the United States and around the world. Of all the hernia surgeries performed every year, inguinal hernia surgery is the most common. An inguinal hernia is a hernia in the groin area and disproportionately affects men over women. About 750,000 inguinal hernias are repaired every year out of the million-or-so total hernia repairs. Hernia repair has improved both in safety and efficacy over the years. With better technique […]
Does Everyone With a Hernia Need Surgery
Hernias can be a painful and inconvenient condition that many experience at some point in their life. In fact, men have a 25% chance of developing an inguinal hernia at some point in their lives. A hernia occurs when the fascia abdominal wall weakens and fatty tissue or organs (usually the colon) bulges through. There are over one million hernia repairs performed every year in the United States, which brings to mind the question “Do all hernias need a surgical […]