Hernia is a common medical condition that usually occurs in the abdomen or groin when one of the organs pushes through the muscle or tissue that contains it. Recently, star athlete Neeraj Chopra told a private channel in an interview that he has been going through the same problem for the past 2 years and has to undergo surgery.
Neeraj revealed after the Olympic final that he was advised to undergo surgery last year. “I have already thrown 89.94 metres in 2022 with this injury. When I throw, I always focus almost 50 per cent on my injury. We have to focus mainly on technique but it is really difficult for me with this injury,” he told reporters. “Doctors told me to undergo surgery last year. I have been trying hard till now. There have been treatments since then but we will have to take a big decision,” he added.
According to the Cleveland Clinic report, a hernia occurs when a part of an internal organ in the body swells and an opening or weakness develops in the muscle or tissue that contains it. Most hernias occur when one of the abdominal organs pushes through one of the walls of the abdominal cavity. This problem can occur gradually because with age, the muscles begin to be damaged regularly. Sometimes, hernia can also occur due to injury, surgery, or a congenital disorder.
Some of the common locations for hernias are the lower chest through the diaphragm, the groin area through the lower abdominal wall, the front midline of the abdomen, and also through an incision from a previous abdominal surgery.
Among the different types of hernias, the most common is the inguinal hernia. About 75% of people suffer from this type of hernia, and men are the most affected. They occur when a part of the intestine protrudes into the inguinal canal, a passage that runs down the inner part of the thigh. Because of this, people start to feel a lot of pain in the groin area.
In addition to inguinal hernias, there are also hiatal, congenital, and incisional hernias. Hiatal hernias affect about 20% of people in the United States and 50% of people over age 50. Congenital hernias occur in about 15% of newborns, most of whom are umbilical. Incisional hernias account for about 10% of hernias. Hernias are common, but most hernias do not cause serious problems. A hernia becomes serious when it gets stuck in the hole it was pushed through and cannot go back in.
How to treat this hernia
Some hernias are treated with watchful waiting, dietary changes, weight control, avoiding heavy lifting, and medications. Many are treated with surgery, including open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and robotic surgery. However, the choice of treatment is made in consultation with a health care professional taking into account the patient’s overall health and specific circumstances.
