Hernias are common, affecting one in ten people at some point in their life. Each year, there are over 100,000 hernia surgeries carried out in the UK. While often harmless, groin hernias do not heal by themselves, and they can lead to serious complications. For this reason, treatment is advised.

The only hernia treatment available for adult patients is surgery. With the ongoing pandemic, thousands of hernia patients have been waiting months for treatment. This is putting them at serious risk of complications. Going private is a good option for those who are struggling to get the treatment they need.

Here, we’ll look at which operation is best for a groin hernia and why treatment is advisable.

The open surgery technique

Open surgery for a hernia is carried out under local or general anaesthetic. An incision is made near the hernia site. From there, the surgeon will push the hernia into the abdomen.

Stitches are sometimes used to repair the hernia, though most commonly a synthetic mesh (a hernioplasty) will be placed over the hernial defect. This helps to reinforce the area, allowing the tissue to grow through the mesh without placing pressure onto the surrounding tissues.

The laparoscopic technique

Laparoscopic surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic. The surgeon will make several incisions, through which a tiny camera and instruments can be inserted. They can carry out the hernia repair in a less invasive manner using this technique.

Again, a mesh is used to strengthen the abdominal wall and promote better wound healing. Laparoscopic repair usually means less discomfort and a quicker return to normal activities.

Which type of surgery is right for me?

The type of hernia surgery you need will depend upon a number of factors. The size of the hernia and its location will ultimately decide which style of surgery would work better for you.

The surgeon will talk through your options during the consultation. They will explain the risks and complications of both types of procedure. This allows you to make the most informed decision about which one is most suited to you.

Why seeking hernia treatment is important

Hernias may not seem like a serious problem, especially if you aren’t suffering with any uncomfortable symptoms. However, they are known to worsen over time. As they progress, they can cause significant discomfort.

It is worth pointing out that not all hernias need surgery. The trouble is, taking a ‘wait and see’ approach can be risky. It is best to book a consultation, so that your surgeon can assess your current risks and discuss with you whether surgery is the best approach.

There are also different types of hernias you should be aware of. The type you have will determine the type of treatment required. If you are experiencing symptoms of a groin hernia and you are struggling to get an appointment, book a consultation with Mr Alan Woodward today.

Constipation is a common, uncomfortable condition which is largely caused by an insufficient diet. However, if you have chronic constipation it is considered a colorectal disorder, which could be a sign of something more serious. For this reason, it is always worth seeking a proper diagnosis.

There are ways to prevent constipation before it becomes a problem. Here, you’ll discover some of the best tips to develop healthier bowels.

Increase your fibre intake

Eating fibre rich foods such as fruits and vegetables, are great for the gut. However, be wary if you have bowel sensitivity. Fruits which are high in fructose can cause a lot of gas so they should be avoided.

The average adult needs anything from 25g to 38g of fibre each day. It helps to intake different types of fibre rich foods as they contain different levels and types of fibre. Prunes, oats, pears, chia seeds and whole grains are all fibre-packed foods.

Drink plenty of water

It isn’t just what you eat which makes a difference, it’s what you drink too. To avoid constipation, you’re going to need to drink plenty of water each day.

When you don’t drink enough, the body starts to take water from your stools, making them harder. This in turn can make them harder to pass, increasing the risk of hemorrhoids as well as constipation.

Another reason you’ll want to increase your water intake is because it helps to prevent issues from consuming high-fibre foods. So, if you are looking to eat more fibre, increasing your water intake will ensure you don’t suffer with uncomfortable gas and bloating.

Partake in regular exercise

Did you know that exercise can also greatly reduce the risk of constipation? This is because it reduces the time it takes for your food to travel through the large intestine. As it takes less time to travel through, less water is absorbed from the stools, making them softer and easier to pass.

Exercise can also help to stimulate the contractions of the intestinal muscles. This in turn can help push stools out quicker.

Don’t wait to relieve your bowels

The final tip is to never wait to empty your bowels if you can help it. If you ignore the urge to go to the toilet, it causes the muscles of the rectum to tighten. This has shown to cause constipation over time. So, when you need to go, then go if you can.

These are some of the best tips to follow to prevent constipation. However, if you find that you constantly suffer with the condition, it is advised to seek a diagnosis from your doctor. Chronic constipation can highlight more serious issues so it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Do you often take your phone with you to the toilet? If so, you could be putting yourself at an increased risk of developing haemorrhoids according to a leading Professor of gastroenterology.

Approximately four out of five people admit to taking their phones to the toilet. However, as Professor Chris Berney, an Australian Gastroenterologist warns, it could be driving an increase in haemorrhoids in younger patients.

Here, we’ll look at why taking your phone to the toilet can increase your risk of haemorrhoids.

How can taking your phone to the toilet increase the risk?

Taking your phone to the toilet might seem like an innocent thing to do. However, experts believe it is contributing towards the development of haemorrhoids in younger patients.

There have been numerous studies over the years which have shown taking your phone to the toilet increases the risk of haemorrhoids. It is believed to be linked with spending longer periods of time on the toilet. Your phone acts as a distraction, meaning you’ll spend more time on the loo with it than without it.

The average person is said to spend between twenty minutes and half an hour on the toilet when they have their smartphone with them. So, it isn’t the use of the smartphone itself that increases the risk, it’s the longer period of time spent on the toilet that is the problem.

How are haemorrhoids treated?

Haemorrhoids can be treated in a number of ways. For smaller, milder haemorrhoids, creams, injections and banding can all help to clear them up. However, if the haemorrhoids are larger, surgery may be the only treatment option suitable.

There are some things you can do at home to reduce symptoms and help to clear up mild haemorrhoids quickly. These include drinking plenty of water, eating fibre-rich foods, and exercising regularly.

Everything you need to know about haemorrhoid surgery

If you do require haemorrhoid surgery, it can understandably be daunting. There are several newer techniques which are less painful than traditional haemorrhoidectomy. They can be performed without general anaesthesia and include thermal ablation (Raphaelo technique) ligation and stapling.

Excisional haemorrhoidectomy involves dissecting the haemorrhoid off the anal muscles and leaves sensitive open wounds. It is used much less frequently these days. This should therefore help to avoid complications such as anal narrowing and anal fissure (split) which might require further surgery.

So, if you take your phone to the toilet with you, you might want to pay attention to how much time you spend there. If you want to avoid developing haemorrhoids, it’s a good idea to spend less than 3 minutes on the toilet, being careful not to over-strain.

For more information about treating haemorrhoids, you can speak in confidence by booking a consultation with Alan Woodward on 03000 204 734.

I hope this message finds you well in these difficult times.

The past few days have seen a number of announcements which may help us to envisage what an exit from lockdown looks like. We now know that there is evidence of passing through the peak of the pandemic, albeit a flat one, and that there is still capacity within our health service. Exit from the lockdown will only occur when there is a sustained reduction in hospital admissions and deaths. But there is now a feeling that things are under control and the exit can be planned.

It is clear that social distancing will need to be in place for at least a year and during this time there will be extensive testing, tracing and isolation. This means that we will be hoping to contain the spread of infection while a vaccine or effective treatments are developed. In the meantime, life will be full of stops and starts as we gradually reopen businesses and amenities which will predispose us to a greater risk of infection.

STAYING SAFE

As widespread testing is rolled out, people who are found to be positive for Covid 19 will be isolated for up to 2 weeks. As will anyone that they have contacted and in this way outbreaks of infection should be contained. By this method, it is anticipated that a second wave will be prevented which is critical as the winter approaches and the normal influenza season takes hold.

There will be no mass gatherings for the foreseeable future, including sporting events or conferences of any kind and international travel is unlikely to resume this year to any great extent

Businesses may well have to change the working week in order to enable social distancing  and prevention of a twice a day rush hour. This may mean a 7 day working week with workers being asked to spread their shifts and days through the week. This will enable the economy to get going whilst keeping Covid under control.

Schools may reopen but pupils will be attending in such a way as to reduce class sizes and protect teachers from infection. Inevitably, life will be much slower for some time to come.

BUT WHAT OF HEALTHCARE?

The health service is doing an incredible job of treating Covid patients. However, there is a wider impact on other non Covid patients who have not gained access to medical care in the same way. There is an accumulating backlog of around 2,000,000 patients who will need to be prioritised in the coming months. This will be a significant challenge and will inevitably result in a change in the way we see patients in the future. The increase in remote consultations which is taking place will become a permanent legacy of the Covid pandemic. Medicine has yet to work out how this will play out in terms of assessing patients clinically prior to instigating treatments.

The link between the NHS and the private sector will be sustained. A balance will need to be struck in order that private medicine can develop whilst at the same time nurturing the NHS until Covid 19 is defeated.  Longer waiting times will be the new norm not just in the NHS but also in the private sector.

Stay safe.