Hernia Treatment at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Malad, Mumbai
CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Malad, is a general surgery hospital in Mumbai where hernias are examined, treated, and followed up by one team. A hernia is a weak spot or gap in the abdominal wall through which fatty tissue or a loop of bowel pushes outwards. It often begins as a soft bulge that shows on standing or coughing and disappears on lying down, and left alone it tends to grow. Families looking for hernia surgery in Malad, Mumbai will find the whole journey, from first examination to recovery, explained along the way.
Types of Hernia
Where the bulge sits usually points the surgeon to the type.
- Inguinal
in the groin, the most common type, and men are affected more often than women - Femoral
just under the groin crease, seen more in women and more prone to getting trapped - Umbilical
around the navel, found in babies as well as adults - Incisional
along the scar of a previous abdominal operation, where the wall never fully regained strength - Hiatal
the upper stomach pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest, and it may show as reflux rather than a lump
Symptoms Worth Noticing
A hernia can be painless for years, so a family member may spot the bulge before the patient does. Look out for:
- A lump that stands out when you stand, strain or cough
- Aching, burning or a dragging sensation that tends to worsen by evening
- Discomfort when lifting, bending or passing stool
- Heartburn, chest discomfort or difficulty swallowing with a hiatal hernia
Some hernias become emergencies when trapped contents lose their blood supply. Seek hospital care at once if the lump turns firm and cannot be pushed back, the skin over it looks red or purple, or the pain comes suddenly and severely. Vomiting, bloating, or being unable to pass stool or wind alongside a bulge carries the same warning. A trapped hernia is a matter for hernia specialists in Mumbai without delay.
What Causes a Hernia?
Two things decide it: pressure inside the abdomen and the strength of the wall holding it in. Some people are born with a weak spot, and others develop one gradually. Pressure rises with:
- A persistent cough, a smoker's cough included
- Straining during stool or urination
- Heavy lifting done repeatedly
- Excess weight
- Pregnancy
The wall can also weaken with age, after surgery at the same spot, or because hernias run in the family.
Diagnosis
Often the surgeon can confirm a hernia simply by examining you, standing and coughing first, then lying down. When the lump is small, the picture is unclear, or the surgeon wants to see what is inside, an ultrasound follows. A CT scan is kept for complicated or recurrent hernias.
Treatment Approach
Surgery is the only way to repair a hernia. Small hernias without symptoms may be watched, though that decision belongs to the surgeon after an examination. A belt or support can bring comfort for a time without closing the gap. Repairs are done in one of two ways:
- Open repair
one incision over the hernia, through which the contents are put back, and the wall strengthened - Laparoscopic (keyhole) repair
a few small cuts, one holding a camera, with the surgeon watching a magnified image on screen. Smaller wounds often mean less pain afterwards
A surgical mesh is placed over the weak area in most repairs, since it lowers the chance of the hernia coming back. The choice between keyhole and open depends on the hernia's type and size, any earlier recurrence, and the patient's overall health.
Before, During and After a Hernia Operation
- Before
Your surgeon goes through your history, medicines and earlier operations. Blood tests and an anaesthesia check-up follow, along with guidance on when to stop eating and drinking. Tell the team about blood thinners, and if you smoke, stopping beforehand helps the wound heal. - During
The anaesthetist picks the type of anaesthesia that suits you. The surgeon then returns the bulging tissue to its place, closes the gap and reinforces it. - After
Early walking is encouraged, with pain managed through prescribed medicines. Lifting and straining stay off limits until the surgeon says otherwise, and plenty of fluids and fibre keep stools soft. The wound should stay clean and dry. Call the team about fever, spreading redness, discharge, a swelling that grows, or vomiting that will not stop. Hernias can return if cough, constipation, or weight keeps the pressure high.
Hernia Treatment at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Malad, Mumbai
A hernia affects more than the person carrying it. Lifting a child, helping at home or getting through a working day all become harder, so care at Malad starts with a general surgeon who examines you, reviews any scans and explains the type of hernia and the repair that suits it, in words you can share with your family.
The surgeon, anaesthetist and nursing team assess your fitness for surgery together, including conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. After the operation, you are monitored in recovery and sent home with written guidance on wound care, activity and warning signs, and the follow-up visit is with the team that already knows your case. A trapped hernia is treated as an emergency and seen without delay. If a bulge or a groin ache keeps returning, book a consultation with the general surgeons in Malad at CritiCare Asia Hospitals.