When Should a Hernia Be Treated?

Dr.Rajesh Valeja, 2 mins read

Has the bulge become persistent & discomfortful? Does the bulge become more pronounced while coughing? Are you experiencing other symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, or difficulty passing stools or gas? If so, you should not delay and get your hernia treated right away.

Hernia treatment has become much more successful, safe, and effective these days, even surgery has become a gold-standard treatment. At Aakash Healthcare, hernia surgery has become a routine surgery. With advanced technology like laparoscopy, we can fix the bulge through minimal incision and discharge the patient hale and hearty the very next day. 

What Is a Hernia?

The human body is made of many types of muscles. Some of them have a job to hold our organs in their place. On occasion, any of these muscles can break or weaken, which can let the organ come out from the muscle wall. This appears as a bulge from the outside and causes a range of symptoms discussed above.  

Symptoms

• Visible lump or bulge that appears during certain positions or activities (Like straining, coughing, or laughing).
• A feeling of pressure or dull, pinching pain when the hernia comes out.

Some patients also experience:

• Nausea or vomiting 
• Fever 
• Heartburn or indigestion 
• A bulge that turns purple or red

Complications of an Untreated Hernia 

You may initially not have any symptoms or discomfort. But if you delay the treatment or leave it untreated, it can worsen over time. The hernia can get stuck in the muscle hole, leading to pain or interrupted blood supply, causing tissue death (Necrosis).

Does Hernia Go Away On Its Own?

No, a hernia usually doesn’t go away on its own. As it grows and worsens over time, you will need a surgical intervention at some point. 

Management & Treatment

Most hernias need surgical repair. It’s best to get them treated as immediately as the doctor recommends. During the procedure, the doctor usually uses a laparoscopic approach. 

A laparoscope is a thin, long tool equipped with a lighted camera and surgical tools. It is inserted into the affected area through very small incisions. After reaching the targeted area, the doctor pushes the herniated tissue or organ back into its place and reinforces the barrier with a surgical mesh. 

As incisions are very small, you will recover faster and can return to normal activities sooner. Also, with advanced technology and expertise, the success rate of hernia repair surgery is very high.  

How Long Can You Delay the Surgery? 

There is no fixed time. There are a lot of factors that decide when you should go for the surgery: 

• Size of hernia
• Type of hernia
• Symptoms severity (Like pain, difficulty doing tasks, or increasing hernia size)
• Duration of the problem
• Doctor’s advice

So, if you suspect a hernia or are diagnosed with a hernia, you should immediately reach out to our experts. We will do your thorough checkup and advise you on the best treatment option.