Typically, you should be worried about hernia pain if the hernia is causing intense pain that persists beyond a few days, if the hernia is accompanied by fever, if the hernia is growing in size, if the hernia is discolored or bruised, or if the hernia is tender to the touch.
In some cases, nausea, vomiting, and the inability to have a bowel movement can be signs of hernia pain to be aware of. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to make an appointment with your doctor right away.
It’s also important to call your doctor if the hernia becomes trapped or incarcerated. If a hernia is strangulated, you may experience severe pain and require emergency medical attention.
How do you know if hernia pain is serious?
It can be difficult to tell when hernia pain is serious and when it’s just a minor discomfort. Generally, if the hernia is small, pain may only be felt in the area where the hernia is located. However, if the hernia is larger and more severe, pain may be felt in other areas of the body.
Symptoms typically associated with severe hernia pain include sharp or aching abdominal pain, chest pain, fever, difficulty passing gas or stool, vomiting or nausea, redness, swelling, or tenderness in the hernia area, and weakness or a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen.
If you experience any of these symptoms or any other abnormal symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention for diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, hernias may become strangulated, meaning the intestines are trapped within the hernia and can cause severe pain and other serious health complications.
In these cases, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
How do you know when a hernia is an emergency?
It is important to recognize the signs that indicate a hernia is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms that can indicate an emergency hernia include: severe, persistent pain; nausea or vomiting; tenderness, redness, and swelling at the hernia site; tender lumps or bumps felt at the hernia site, especially if they increase in size; difficulty urinating or passing stool; and a fever of 100.
4°F or higher, accompanied by shaking chills or sweats. In some cases, the hernia may become stuck in the abdominal wall, causing a medical emergency known as an incarcerated hernia. An incarcerated hernia can be life-threatening and requires surgery to remove the contents of the hernia and correct the defect.
If you experience any of the above symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical treatment right away.
Does hernia pain hurt all the time?
No, hernia pain does not necessarily hurt all the time. Depending on the type of hernia, the pain can range from mild to severe, coming and going as the hernia becomes aggravated. Congenital hernias may not cause any noticeable pain, while hernias caused by physical strain or lifting heavy items may cause pain that gets worse with movement.
If the hernia becomes trapped between abdominal muscles, the pain can become more severe or prolonged. Hernia pain can also be accompanied by other symptoms, including a bulge or lump in the abdominal region, nausea, vomiting, fever, or difficulty passing stool or gas.
If the pain lasts for an extended period of time, becomes very severe, or is accompanied by any of these other symptoms, a medical professional should be consulted immediately.
When does a hernia become life-threatening?
A hernia becomes life-threatening when the hernia becomes obstructed and starts to compromise the circulation of vital organs and tissues. This happens when the hernia expands and becomes so large that it limits the flow of blood, oxygen, and other vital nutrients to the affected area.
Another factor that increases the risk of a hernia becoming life-threatening is if the hernia is strangulated, which occurs when part of the hernia becomes constricted or twisted and cuts off its own blood supply, leading to gangrene and further infection.
If a hernia is suspected to be life-threatening, then it is highly recommended to seek medical attention immediately to reduce the risk of further complications.
Can you live with a painful hernia?
It is possible to live with a painful hernia, but it is not recommended and should be addressed as soon as possible. Hernias can cause pain, ranging from a dull ache to episodes of sharp pain. The longer a hernia is ignored, the more likely it is to become displaced and require surgery.
Additionally, hernias can become strangulated, meaning the blood flow in the affected area is cut off, leading to further complications.
In order to deal with or alleviate the pain associated with a hernia, it is important to see a doctor to discuss possible treatments. These treatments may include over-the-counter pain relievers, wearing a special truss or belt to support the area, or wearing corrective garments which help to keep the hernia in place.
In more serious cases, surgery may be the only way to treat a hernia, which involves making an incision in the area and pushing the hernia back in place.
It is, however, essential to seek medical advice and treatment for any severe symptoms of a hernia, as the condition can worsen over time. If a hernia is untreated, it could cause damage to the internal organs and if it is truly untreatable without surgery, the hernia could develop into a serious health issue.
What does it feel like when your hernia ruptures?
When a hernia ruptures, it can be a very painful and frightening experience. The severity of the pain often depends on the size of the hernia and underlying medical conditions. When a hernia ruptures, there is usually an intense and sudden pain in the area of the hernia.
The area may become tender, red, swollen and warm to the touch. Nausea, vomiting, and fever may also be present. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if a hernia is suspected to have ruptured.
Additional symptoms may include not being able to eat, difficulty with urinating, severe abdominal pain and a feeling of heaviness in the area of the hernia.
How can you tell if a hernia is strangulated?
A strangulated hernia is a medical emergency as blood supply to the trapped intestine or tissue is cut off, causing the affected area to become swollen, painful, and often discolored. Symptoms of a strangulated hernia include extreme pain in the area of the hernia, nausea and vomiting, fever, constipation or difficulty having a bowel movement, and a fast heart rate.
In some cases, the area of the hernia may be tender to the touch or have an unusually red or purplish color. Strangulated hernias may require surgery to repair the affected area. If you think you may have a strangulated hernia, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
What does it mean when a hernia starts to hurt?
When a hernia begins to cause pain, it means that the hernia is becoming larger and more serious. While hernias themselves are not usually painful, the growing size of a hernia can lead to pressure and pain in the affected area.
This can range from a dull ache to sharp and constant pain; it can also come in waves. Seeking medical attention is crucial when you begin to experience pain from your hernia, as further complications can develop if it’s left untreated.
A doctor can provide treatments to help relieve your discomfort, depending on the severity of the hernia. Left untreated, hernias can become strangulated or incarcerated, which can lead to serious complications.
To ensure your safety and wellbeing, it is best to seek medical treatment when you first notice pain associated with your hernia.
How long should a hernia go untreated?
It depends on the type of hernia. Generally, the recommendation is that if an individual experiences any symptoms of a hernia, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Hernias will not heal on their own and delaying treatment may lead to further complications.
If a hernia is small and is not causing any pain, the doctor may advise waiting to see if it gets any larger or causes more discomfort before deciding on a treatment plan. Most hernias will eventually require some form of surgical intervention, however, so it is important to keep an eye on the hernia and look for any changes.
If the hernia is larger or painful, it is generally recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid the risk of severe complications, such as the hernia becoming strangulated, which can be life-threatening.
A strangulated hernia occurs when the loop of intestines or other tissue becomes caught in the hernia and the blood supply to the area is cut off.
It is important to remember that a hernia is not something that can be ignored, as the risks associated with delaying treatment can be serious. Anyone experiencing any symptoms of a hernia should seek medical attention from a doctor as soon as possible.
Can you have a strangulated hernia and not know it?
Yes, it is possible to have a strangulated hernia and not know it. Strangulated hernias occur when the intestine or tissue get stuck outside of the abdominal wall, which can affect blood flow and lead to a variety of symptoms.
However, some strangulated hernias do not present any symptoms or discomfort and so people who have them may not even be aware that they have the condition. It is important for people to be aware of any abdominal pain or discomfort and to seek medical attention if needed.
Additionally, it is advisable for people to regularly visit their doctor to check for any abnormalities and to ensure good health.
Which hernias are most likely to strangulate?
Strangulated hernias are hernias that have obstructed their blood supply, resulting in severe pain and swelling in the affected area. In general, any type of hernia can strangulate, however, certain types of hernias are more likely to strangulate than others.
These hernias include inguinal, femoral, and paraesophageal hernias, who are listed in order of highest strangulation risk.
Inguinal hernias occur when the intestines protrude through the inguinal canal, a thin tube located in the groin area. They are more common in men, and typically present with discomfort or a bulge in the groin area.
Femoral hernias occur when the intestines protrude through the femoral canal, a thin tube located in the upper thigh, making them more common in women. These hernias present with discomfort or a bulge in the upper thigh area.
Paraesophageal hernias occur when the stomach and other organs push up into the chest cavity in between the lungs. This type of hernia can be seen on a chest X-ray or CT scan and typically presents with abdominal pain, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty breathing.
Due to their narrow opening and higher risk of obstruction, these particular hernia types are much more likely to strangulate, leading to tissue damage and loss of blood flow to the affected area. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical attention if you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, to prevent any potential complications.
How common is hernia strangulation?
Hernia strangulation is a rare but serious complication of hernia that occurs when the contents of the hernia become strangulated, or twisted in the hernia sac and cut off the blood supply to the herniated organ.
This can be a life threatening emergency and is most commonly seen with inguinal hernias. Generally, this type of strangulation happens in 1-2% of all hernia surgeries, though statistics can vary depending on the type of hernia, size, and the skill of the surgeon.
Hernia strangulation is usually associated with the incarceration of the hernia, either due to obstruction by adhesions, twisting of bowel mesentery, kinks in hernia sac, or misplaced hernia sac. It is commonly seen in patients whose hernia is larger than normal and is present for many years.
Fortunately, strangulation can often be prevented with early recognition of the symptoms such as severe pain, extreme tenderness, rapid swelling, nausea and vomiting.
What does a burst hernia feel like?
A burst hernia can be a painful and uncomfortable experience and can cause a variety of symptoms. Typically, a burst hernia is experienced as a severe, intense and burning pain in the abdomen around the hernia site.
The pain may be sudden or may come on gradually and worsen over time. It may be worse when sitting or straining, when coughing or sneezing, or when lifting heavy objects. Other symptoms associated with a burst hernia may include swelling, redness, bruising or discoloration of the skin near the hernia site, nausea, and vomiting.
In some cases, the patient may experience fever, chills, or sweating. If the hernia becomes incarcerated or strangulated, the patient may experience intense pain, vomiting, and constipation or difficulty passing stools.
It is important to seek medical attention if you believe you have a burst hernia as they can be very serious and require professional treatment.
What percentage of hernias become strangulated?
The exact percentage of hernias that become strangulated is difficult to determine as many people do not require immediate medical attention for their hernias. However, of those hernias that are medically treated, an estimated 3-22% become strangulated.
Strangulated hernias occur when a section of intestine becomes trapped and constricted in the hernia, leading to a decrease in blood supply. This can cause some serious medical complications, and is why it is so important to receive medical treatment for a hernia as soon as possible.
