Lawrence + Memorial Hospital to Host Free Hernia Screening Event

Lawrence + Memorial Hospital (L+M) will host a free hernia screening event on Saturday, June 14 at Pequot Health Center in Groton.

The screening event is open to anyone over the age of 18, from 9 am to 12 noon at the Same Day Surgery Center at 52 Hazelnut Hill Road, Groton.

Those interested in receiving a free screening can register online at ynhhs.org/events and search “hernia” or by calling 800-562-2537. Registration is recommended but walk-ins are welcome. 

A hernia usually happens in the abdomen or groin, when an organ pushes through the muscle or tissue that contains it. It may look like an odd bulge that comes and goes during different activities or in different positions. Hernias can occur with childbirth, excessive weight, lifting or straining, persistent, heavy cough or prior surgery. 

Hernias are common, though some types are more common than others. Inguinal hernias are the most common type, accounting for 75% of all hernias. Inguinal hernias affect around 25% of all men. They happen when part of the bowel protrudes into the inguinal canal, a passageway that runs down the inner thigh.

Hiatal hernia is another common type of hernia that can occur when the opening in the diaphragm — where the esophagus passes through — widens, and the top of the stomach pushes up through the opening into the chest. Hiatal hernias affect around 20% of people in the US and 50% over the age of 50.

An incisional hernia occurs when tissue protrudes through a former incision in the abdominal wall that has weakened over time. It is a common side effect of abdominal surgery. Incisional hernias make up about 10% of hernias, and all other types make up another 10%.

A hernia may or may not cause symptoms, such as discomfort or pain. Most hernias eventually will need surgical repair.

Surgeons at L+M Hospital perform same-day, minimally invasive surgeries using the latest da Vinci® robotic system so patients can recover faster.

About L+M:

Lawrence + Memorial is a private not-for-profit, general, acute care hospital that has been serving patients since 1912. L+M is licensed for 280 beds, employs more than 2,000 people and serves 10 shoreline towns between Rhode Island and the Connecticut River, as well as the residents of Fishers Island, NY, in its primary service area. Now part of Yale New Haven Health, L+M is the only hospital in eastern Connecticut with a newborn intensive care unit. It is also the only area hospital able to perform emergency and elective angioplasty.

Media Contact:

Fiona Phelan

Media Relations Manager

(O) 860-271-4634

(C) 203-780-1993

Fiona.Phelan@ynhh.org