adj. describing a part of the body whose blood supply has been interrupted by compression of a blood vessel, as may occur in a loop of intestine trapped in a *hernia.
Types Inguinal hernia appears in the groin; less common is femoral hernia, which appears just below the groin. Incisional hernia may occur through a defect in any abdominal surgical scar, a paraumbilical hernia arising just to the side of the umbilicus and an epigastric hernia in the mid line above the umbilicus. In children, herniation may occur through the umbilicus itself, which is a natural weak spot. The commonest internal hernia is a hiatus hernia, when part of the stomach slips upwards into the chest through the DIAPHRAGM (see diagram).
Site of inguinal hernia (shaded).
Causes Hernias may be due to a defect present at birth (congenital), or may develop later in life (acquired). Acquired hernias arise due to the development of a defect or injury of the abdominal wall or due to increased pressure within the abdominal cavity, which forces the organ through a potential weakness. Such causes include chronic coughing or excessive straining due to constipation.
Complications Small hernias may cause no problems at all. However, some may be large and cumbersome, or may give rise to a dragging sensation or even pain.
Although most reduce spontaneously under the effects of gravity or gentle pressure, any organs that may have been displaced inside some hernias may become stuck, when they are said to be irreducible. If the contents become so trapped that their blood supply is cut o?, then strangulation occurs. This is a surgical emergency because the strangulated organs will soon die or rupture. When strangulation – usually of a loop of intestine – does occur, the hernia becomes irreducible, red, and very painful. If the hernia contains bowel, then the bowel may also become obstructed.
Treatment Conservative treatment with a compression belt, or truss, is now used only for those un?t for surgery or while awaiting surgery. Surgical repair can be at an open operation or by laparoscope, and consists of returning the herniated organs to their proper place and then repairing the defect through which the hernia occurred. This may be done safely under local or general anaesthetic, often as a day-case procedure, and most operative repairs result in a permanent cure.... hernia
Habitat: Native to tropical America; cultivated mainly in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal.
English: Tobacco.Ayurvedic: Taamraparna, Dhuu- mrapatraa.Unani: Tambaakhu.Action: Leaves—decoction is locally applied for muscle relaxation in dislocation, strangulated hernia and orchitis. Also for arthralgia, lumbago, rheumatism and gout (an ointment is made by simmering the leaves in lard). Not used internally as a medicine.
The plant contains nicotine as the major alkaloid.Toxic influence of cigarette and bidi smoking on carboxyhaemoglobin levels of the blood of regular smokers was compared and no significant difference was observed in both of them. A py- rolysed tobacco product, used in India as a dentifrice, when administered to rats, showed activity comparable to benzo(a)pyrene, a potent carcinogen.Habitual consumption of betel quid containing tobacco shows a strong cy- totoxic potential.Nicotiana rustica Linn. is known as Kalakatiyaa or Vfilaayati tobacco. Its nicotine content is high and is not suitable for cigarettes, cigars or bidis. Different variants of this tobacco are used for hookah, chewing and snuff.... nicotiana tabacumAcute peritonitis generally arises because bacteria enter the peritoneal cavity, from penetrating wounds, e.g. stabs, from the exterior or from the abdominal organs. Hence conditions leading to perforation of the STOMACH, INTESTINE, BILE DUCT, URINARY BLADDER, and other hollow organs such as gastric ulcer (see STOMACH, DISEASES OF), typhoid fever (see ENTERIC FEVER), gall-stones (see under GALLBLADDER, DISEASES OF), rupture of the bladder, strangulated HERNIA, and obstructions of the bowels, may lead to peritonitis. Numerous bacteria may cause the in?ammation, most common being E. coli, streptococci and the gonococcus.
The symptoms usually begin with a RIGOR together with fever, vomiting, severe abdominal pain and tenderness. Shock develops and the abdominal wall becomes rigid. If untreated the patient usually dies. Urgent hospital admission is required. X-ray examination may show gas in the peritoneal cavity. Treatment consists of intravenous ?uids, antibiotics and surgical repair of the causative condition. Such treatment, together with strong analgesics is usually successful if started soon enough.... peritonitis
Surgery is usually performed to treat a hernia of the abdominal wall that is painful or cannot be pushed back into place.
A strangulated hernia requires an emergency operation.
During surgery, the protruding intestine is pushed back into the abdomen and the weakened muscle wall is strengthened.
Either open or minimally invasive surgery may be used.... hernia repair
COLI BACILLUS. Infections. Freshly-grated Horseradish root steeped in cup cold water for 2 hours.
Remove root. 1 cupful freely, as tolerated. Papaya fruit.
COLIC. Spasm of the bowels, particularly the colon. Severe pain under the navel with nausea, vomiting.
Patient writhes from side to side. Cause may be wind, acid bile, worms, constipation, food; aluminium, lead or other metal poisoning, strangulated hernia, appendicitis, adhesions.
Differential diagnosis: gallstones, menstrual difficulties, kidney stone.
Alternatives. Teas, any one. Roman Chamomile, Catmint, Fennel, Lovage, Caraway, Betony, Avens, Wormwood, Holy Thistle, Peppermint leaves, Aniseed, Tormentil.
Decoction, any one. Angelica root, Boldo, Calamus, Cardamom, Condurango, Coriander, Cramp bark, Ginger root, Liquorice, Wild Yam.
Tablets/capsules. Dandelion, Capsicum, Valerian, Wild Yam, Cramp bark, Blue Flag root.
Powders. Alternatives. (1) Calamus 2; Marshmallow root 1. Add pinch Cayenne. (2) Turkey Rhubarb plus pinch of Cayenne. (3) Wild Yam plus pinch of Cayenne. Dose: 500mg (one-third teaspoon or two 00 capsules) every 2 hours.
Tinctures. Formulae. Alternatives: (1) Angelica root 1; Wild Yam 1; Ginger half. Mix. (2) Dandelion 2; Wild Yam 1; few drops Tincture Capsicum. Mix. (3) Wild Yam 1; Galangal root half; Ginger half. Mix. Dose: 1 teaspoon in hot water every 2 hours.
Traditional German combination. Ginger, Gentian, Turkey Rhubarb.
Topical. Apply hot bran, oats, hops or Slippery Elm poultice, or Castor oil packs to abdomen. Aromatherapy. Any one oil: Aniseed, Fennel, Mint, Garlic, Bergamot. Adult: 6 drops to 2 teaspoons Almond oil: child, 2 drops in 1 teaspoon Almond oil, for abdominal massage.
Enema. 1oz Catmint, Boneset or Chamomile in 2 pints boiling water. Strain, inject warm.
Diet. 3-day fast, with fruit juices and herb teas.
See: RENAL COLIC, COLIC OF PREGNANCY, CHILDREN. Gripe water. ... cold sore
A blockage in the small intestine usually causes intermittent cramp-like pain in the centre of the abdomen with increasingly frequent bouts of vomiting and failure to pass wind or faeces. An obstruction in the large intestine causes pain, distension of the abdomen, and failure to pass wind or faeces.
Treatments involve emptying the stomach via a nasogastric tube and replacing lost fluids through an intravenous drip In some cases, this will be sufficient to correct the problem. However, in many cases, surgery to deal with the cause of the blockage is necessary.... intestine, obstruction of
First- and second-degree haemorrhoids may respond to bowel regulation using a high-fibre diet and faecal softening agents. If bleeding persists, elastic bands may be applied or a sclerosing agent may be injected around the swollen cushions to eradicate them. Third-degree haemorrhoids often require surgery (see haemorrhoidectomy), especially if they become *strangulated (producing severe pain and further enlargement).
External haemorrhoids are either prolapsed internal haemorrhoids or – more often – *perianal haematomas or the residual skin tags remaining after a perianal haematoma has healed.... haemorrhoids
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