By Olivia Duffield
From PHN Issue 51, Winter 2023
Dear Prison Health News,
Intestinal hernias is a topic you could write an article on. Some points you could cover:
· What causes a hernia?
· How common are they?
· Other than discomfort, are they a problem if there are no complications?
· How often do complications occur?
· Is it possible (or safe) to live indefinitely with a hernia?
– Jon Tillman
Dear Mr. Tillman,
Thank you for this excellent suggestion. Hernias occur because of a tear or a weak spot in the tissue surrounding an organ. The muscle and tendons of the abdominal wall from the ribs to the top of the legs form a corset that holds the intestines in place. Some places in this corset tend to be weaker than others, and those places are typical sites of hernias. Inguinal (groin) hernias are the most common type. Researchers estimate that about 27% of men and 3% of women will develop an inguinal hernia at some point in their lives (NIDDK).
Prison Health News 