Common Misdiagnoses of Hernias in Women Leads to Frequent Complication of Treatment

LOS ANGELES, April 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Most people have heard of hernias, but when considering a hernia patient, the image that popularly comes to mind is that of a man; probably of one who was lifting something heavy or engaging in a strenuous activity. The reasoning for this image makes sense. The majority of hernia patients are indeed men. In fact, only 8% of all diagnosed hernias are from female patients. Nevertheless, female related hernias do occur, and they can be difficult to treat, both because they're more difficult to detect, and because a doctor is less likely to diagnose them due to their rarity. Fortunately, at the Beverly Hills Hernia Center, Dr. Shirin Towfigh F.A.C.S. is one of the nation's leading hernia experts, and the only specialized hernia surgeons on the West Coast committed to ensuring that female patients are able to receive the accurate diagnoses and care that they need.

One of the first important factors to understand about hernias is that there are a variety of different forms, causes, symptoms, and treatments. Some of them are more obvious than others. The most common type of hernia that most people think of is the inguinal groin hernia. This hernia occurs when organs or tissues slip through the lower abdominal area and is often caused by lifting or straining. These hernias account for over 75% of abdominal-wall hernias, but are much less common in women though they can still occur. Additional types of hernias include abdominal hernias like the epigastric which occurs above the navel and the spigelian which are found on either side of the lower abdomen.

For female patients, femoral hernias are much more likely, and are the most frequent. Unfortunately, they also tend to be smaller and are less commonly diagnosed. Patients with a femoral hernia are at risk of strangling and trapping their intestines. Though it's more challenging, it's important that a doctor be able to recognize hernia symptoms in women because up to one in three femoral hernia patients require emergency surgery due to being unaware of the gradually worsening issue.  All too frequently, female hernias are misdiagnosed as other medical issues with similar symptoms such as ovarian cysts, fibroids, or endometriosis. 

Though female hernias can be difficult to spot, Dr. Towfigh and the Beverley Hills Hernia Center are at the forefront of identifying and treating affected women. As one of the most experienced hernia surgeons in the United States today, Dr. Towfigh has the skill and expertise to address these issues. For both male and female patients, Dr. Towfigh and the Beverley Hills Hernia Center are here to help. For more information, call 310-358-5020 or visit them online at www.beverlyhillsherniacenter.com today.

PR Submitted by Cyberset.com 

SOURCE Beverly Hills Hernia Center

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