A severe hernia often looks like a large, persistent bulge that might become red or discolored, is tender, and doesn't go away, potentially accompanied by vomiting, bloating, fever, or severe pain, signaling a serious complication like strangulation requiring immediate medical care. While smaller hernias are visible bulges that appear with straining and disappear when lying down, severe cases involve signs of tissue being trapped, leading to potentially serious symptoms beyond just the lump.
Q: What are the signs of a hernia emergency?
Hernias don't always cause symptoms or require medical attention. However, depending on their location and severity, they can trigger a variety of problems, including chronic indigestion, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Hiatal hernias are unique because they affect the diaphragm, not the abdominal wall. This location can cause symptoms like heartburn, acid reflux, and sometimes diarrhea. Unlike other hernias, hiatal hernias involve the diaphragm. The way hiatal hernias happen is also different.
In some cases, an umbilical hernia can become incarcerated or strangulated, which means that the tissue or intestine becomes trapped in the abdominal muscles and loses its blood supply. Symptoms of an incarcerated hernia include severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and an inability to pass gas.
Adults with umbilical hernias are more likely to experience discomfort, dull pain or pressure. Symptoms that should alert you of a problem with your hernia requiring emergency care include: Sharp, sudden or worsening pain in your abdomen. Bulge that's red, darkened, purple and firm.
The "6-2 rule" for inguinal hernias in children is a guideline for surgical timing: Neonates (birth-6 weeks) need surgery within 2 days; children 6 weeks to 6 months need it within 2 weeks; and children over 6 months need it within 2 months, because younger infants have a higher risk of incarceration (strangulation). For adults or older children with reducible hernias, some sources suggest seeing a surgeon if symptoms last over six weeks.
Ruptured Hernia
If the contents of the hernia become trapped in the weak point in the abdominal wall, the contents can block the bowel, leading to: Severe pain. Nausea or vomiting. Not being able to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
Things to avoid if you have a hernia
Continuous heavy lifting is the most important thing to avoid as it is the most common reason for a hernia developing in the first place. Not utilizing proper lifting techniques for your body could cause your hernia to recur or worsen.
Rule 6: In large or inguino-scrotal hernias, it is recommended to transect and abandon the distal hernia sac within the scrotum. An indirect hernia sac is usually dissected and reduced from the inguinal canal.
Obstructive bladder dysfunction may be caused by a protrusion of the bladder neck or triangular area. There have been reports of sliding hernias combined with bladder diverticula that led to neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
You may have a strangulated hernia if you have symptoms like a painful bulge or lump in your abdomen along with:
You risk the chance you will develop a bowel obstruction or an incarcerated hernia. This emergency occurs when the intestines push through the abdominal wall and become pinched, preventing your bowels from functioning properly. The result is waste build-up and a rupture. Sepsis and possible death can be the result.
The most serious type of hernia is a strangulated hernia. This occurs when the blood supply is cut off which can cause tissue death (necrosis) and potential damage to your surrounding organs. Strangulated hernias are considered a medical emergency and require immediate surgical intervention.
Changes to the hernia, for example, if it becomes firm, tender, or if it cannot be pushed back in. Pain that worsens or comes on suddenly. Nausea or vomiting. Fever.
If you are experiencing pain or have a bulge in your abdomen or groin, it is important you see a doctor. We recommend your primary care physician or a hernia specialist for consultation. Your doctor can evaluate you and advise you on the best treatment for you.
The bulge from a hernia can become larger and more painful over time, and the pressure on the intestine from a bowel obstruction can cause ongoing pain and discomfort.
Strangulated hernias cause a noticeable bulge in the abdomen or pelvis. They can also cause excruciating abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting and rapid heartbeat. Gastrointestinal complications of a strangulated hernia include bloody stools and the inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
Here are the signs of an immediate hernia emergency (call 911 or go immediately to the nearest emergency department): Sudden increase in pain at a hernia which doesn't go away with rest. A hernia which pops out and won't go back in. Nausea/vomiting associated with a change in the hernia.
When the abdominal contents become restricted to such a degree that blood flow is cut off, they begin to die. This usually causes significant, excruciating pain, redness in area of the hernia, fever and other general symptoms – fatigue, nausea and more.
Certain factors, including smoking, diabetes, and being overweight increase your risk of complications after hernia surgery. You may not be a candidate for hernia surgery if these are health concerns for you, and you will need to discuss these with your surgeon.
Incisional hernias: Whenever the body wall is cut, such as if you have had an open appendix operation or a Caesarean section during childbirth, the healed scar is never as strong as the original body wall. Hernias are common along incision lines and can be one of the most difficult hernias to repair.
You will have a weight restriction, meaning you will be asked not to lift heavy objects for a period of time. Most hernia repairs have a weight restriction of 10 pounds for 4 weeks. Robotic INGUINAL hernia repair has a weight restriction of 10 pounds for 2 weeks.