The symptoms of a hernia depend on the size of the hernia and where it is. Typical symptoms include: a bulge or lump in the groin or abdomen. pain, burning, aching, heaviness or discomfort, especially when coughing, straining or lifting.
sudden, severe pain. being sick. difficulty pooing or passing wind. the hernia becomes firm or tender, or cannot be pushed back in.
Some hernias are extremely serious and require immediate medical attention. If you have a noticeable bulge or protrusion accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever or chills, or if you are unable to have a normal bowel movement, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.
The most common symptoms are pain or discomfort (usually at lower abdomen), weakness or heaviness in the abdomen, burning or aching sensation at the bulge.
Hernias don't go away on their own. Only surgery can repair a hernia. Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia.
Ignoring a hernia or not seeking treatment can result in more serious complications including intestinal blockage, hernia incarceration, or hernia strangulation.
While incarcerated hernias can often create a good amount of pain, there are times where the pain is mild, and patients may be lulled into a sense that it is not urgent. An incarcerated hernia must always be treated very urgently as it can more easily strangulate.
Your doctor will check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you'll likely be asked to stand and cough or strain. If the diagnosis isn't readily apparent, your doctor might order an imaging test, such as an abdominal ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.
With the fingers placed over the femoral region, the external inguinal ring, and the internal ring, have the patient cough. A palpable bulge or impulse located in any one of these areas may indicate a hernia. The examiner should then return to the sitting position.
It's important to note that while hernias can be painful, they don't all require immediate medical attention. It's important to seek medical advice if: you experience severe or persistent pain. the bulge or lump associated with your hernia becomes red or discoloured.
Sometimes hernia swelling is visible when you stand upright; usually, the hernia can be felt if you place your hand directly over it and then bear down. Ultrasound may be used to see a femoral hernia, and abdominal X-rays may be ordered to determine if a bowel obstruction is present.
How long can you live with a hernia? The absolute answer is that it is “unpredictable.” Some can live with a hernia for their whole life while others will develop a hernia related emergency within months of the development of their hernia.
A hernia becomes serious when it gets stuck in the hole that it's pushed through and can't go back in. This can become painful, and in severe cases the tissue can become cut off from blood supply, causing necrosis (tissue death). Since hernias tend to worsen over time, most will need surgical repair sooner or later.
Persistent and intense pressure on the surrounding muscles, such as while coughing, vomiting, straining during a bowel movement, exercising or lifting heavy objects.
Take good care of yourself in the days/weeks leading up to your surgery. Eat well, stay hydrated, exercise at levels that do not cause excessive pain to the hernia and get plenty of sleep. Remember #1 — try to keep a positive outlook – over 1 million people go through hernia surgery each year in the US.
A hernia can affect the intestines, which may cause a change in digestion and bowel movements. People may experience constipation or narrow, thin stools. In severe cases, constipation with a hernia may indicate intestinal obstruction.
Repairing a hernia is major surgery. And like so many other types of surgery, hernia repairs have gotten much better for patients over the years, says Leon Clarke, MD, a general surgeon at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.
The operation usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete and you'll usually be able to go home on the same day. Some people stay in hospital overnight if they have other medical problems or live on their own.
Hernia repair surgery normally only requires a 23-hour or less stay. Most patients go home the same day. Abdominal wall hernia repairs may require up to a two-day hospital stay due to the internal stitches and healing that is required.
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes about 30 minutes (less than an hour for a repair to both sides). Your surgeon will make a small cut on or near your belly button so they can insert an instrument in your abdominal cavity to inflate it with gas (carbon dioxide).
At some point the hernia will become larger and you will experience symptoms of pain, discomfort, a fullness in your groin or stomach, and it will eventually limit your activities. The larger a hernia becomes, the harder it is to repair. The only lasting treatment is surgical repair.
The rupture of abdominal hernia demands emergency surgery, to prevent further obstruction, strangulation of bowel and to cover its contents.
If left untreated, however, a hernia can cause serious complications, such as a bowel obstruction (resulting in severe pain, nausea or constipation), or intestinal strangulation, if the trapped section of the intestines does not get enough blood.