22
iron men
The HEALTH | JULY, 2018
Hernia
symptoms
to look out
for
CREDIT: MEDGADGET.COM
D
ESCRIBED as the displace-
ment of an internal organ
from its original position to
another position, Hernia commonly
takes place in the belly button and is
considered as a natural defect among
children and babies under six months
old.
However in some people, the
muscles and tissues get lax hence
giving space to fat tissues to go
through. Commonly observed are the
displacement of bowel and fats from
the original space or the peritoneal
cavity into the cavity outside.
Is it possible?
M
Who gets affected?
In young adults, it’s more of an
acquired problem among those
actively engaged in weightlifting and
in activities that uses a lot of core
muscles.
These activities tend to weaken
the natural defect further causing a
displacement of fluid or fat where at
times, even bowels can shift through
a big enough defect.
Symptoms to look out for
Dr Chan Siew How.
lead to constipation and in severe
cases such as strangulated hernia,
can lead to the death of the bowel,
eventually needing surgery.”
“There are instances where when
people start coughing, the hernia gets
bigger. There are also patients who
have attempted to push it back in and
they would feel much comfortable.”
However, Chan said that the prob-
lem may resume once they stand up
or do some stretching.
During clinical examination,
doctors would often ask the patient’s
history and if it’s not possible to dis-
cern through the history, a CT scan
and ultrasound are the other avail-
able options to detect any signs of
hernia.
According to Pantai Hospital Ampang
Consultant General Surgeon Dr Chan
Siew How, symptoms of hernia comes
in the form of swelling or discomfort
at the area. Hernia in men can go all
the way to the scrotum because it
follows the blood vessel of the testes.
“Severe symptoms will depend on
the organs affected – most common
example would be fat tissues trapped
in the hernia which then causes pain.
A similar situation with bowel can
Lichtenstein technique for
faster hernia recovery
INITIAL treatment methods to deal
with hernia often revolve around an
open surgery concept. Describing it
as a leakage, Pantai Hospital Ampang
Consultant General Surgeon Dr
Chan Siew How explained that the
initial surgical method was called the
open hernia repair.
“Here incisions are made and
the hernia sack is returned to the
abdominal cavity, very often rein-
forced with a mesh.”
“Fast forward in time and the
Lichtenstein technique came into
place. This technique is commonly
performed throughout the world.
Studies have showed that mesh
attachment through the use of this
Disability
and sex
technique is faster and less likely to
cause post-surgery pain.”
“In the current era of the laparo-
scopic surgery, doctors are now able
to repair holes from the inside. The
method incorporates the usage of a
bigger mesh in place which results
in a lower rate of reoccurrence and
if it does take place, the problems are
usually technical.”
“The method however does
reduce time of recovery and the
patient is in lesser pain as compared
to the previous methods.
However due to the technical
nature of the surgery, the pickup rate
of the method has not been high,” he
said.
ANY of us tend to automati-
cally perceive a disabled
person as someone who
cannot have sex, don’t want
too, can’t have children—so,
why even talk about sex. But is this true?
ReGen Rehabilitation International
Consultant Rehabilitation Physician Dr
Kavitha Ratnalingam emphasised that
even clinicians are guilty of not bringing
up the subject with patients or dismiss-
ing it even when it is brought up.
“We are all sexual beings, which is the
same for people with different abilities.
We all crave intimacy - the connection
with another person.”
“Sexuality is not just the act of pen-
etration – it is so much more than that. It
is the way we look, the way we feel. For
men on a wheelchair, going to the gym –
getting buffed shoulders and putting on
that tight t-shirt – if that’s what they like.
Or dressing really smart.”
“Many people with a stroke can
function sexually. However, the biggest
challenge is that they have depression
which removes the desire to have
intimacy and sexual relationship. Men
“Sexuality is not just the act of penetration – it
is so much more than that. It is the way we look,
the way we feel. “
Counselling on sex for
persons with disability
C
OUNSELLING for people with
different abilities may vary
according to each individual.
ReGen Rehabilitation International
Consultant Rehabilitation Physician
Dr Kavitha Ratnalingam explained that
the counselling process to approach the
subject on sexuality and sex for those
undergoing rehabilitation starts very
early.
“People with a stroke, older popula-
tion, those who are married and settled
down, traumatic brain injuries or spinal
cord injuries in the younger population
which more often happens to males who
aren’t married or newly married - so the
approach is different. They have differ-
ent needs.”
“Some may have not developed a
carrier so finances become an issue. So,
that’s a topic that we would discuss with
them – if they want to have a family, we
could help, but, we need to know that
they could cope financially. Otherwise
“Sometimes, satisfying your partner
can make you feel good and that helps your
relationship as a whole.”