Strangulated hernia The femoral hernia is the most susceptible to this complication. Symptoms of a strangulated hernia include nausea, vomiting and severe pain. Prompt medical attention and surgery is vital. Untreated, a strangulated hernia can lead to gangrene of the trapped bowel.
An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. The resulting bulge can be painful, especially when you cough, bend over or lift a heavy object.
Potentially Life-Threatening Hernias
A strangulated hernia happens when part of your intestine or other tissue becomes tightly trapped and the blood supply is cut off. Strangulated hernias can result in gangrene.
You may also feel a burning or stabbing sensation or experience shooting pain. The discomfort may worsen when you're performing activities like lifting, bending or coughing, and may improve when you rest or lie down. If you're experiencing symptoms of hernia pain, it's important to seek medical attention.
Typically, patients with ventral hernias describe mild pain, aching or a pressure sensation at the site of the hernia. The discomfort worsens with any activity that puts a strain on the abdomen, such as heavy lifting, running or bearing down during bowel movements. Some patients have a bulge but do not have discomfort.
Key points to remember
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.
You should also be able to return to work after 1 or 2 weeks, although you may need more time off if your job involves manual labour. Gentle exercise, such as walking, can help the healing process, but you should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for about 4 to 6 weeks.
If the nerves around the hernia site become irritated, this may cause a pinching of the nerves, which can cause referred pain in other parts of the body. The pain you feel may be a sharp shooting pain, a dull ache, or a feeling of intense pressure around where the bulge is.
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.
It may get worse when you stand for long periods or strain your abdominal muscles, such as when you cough, lift heavy objects (like your children), play sports (even golf), or have a bowel movement. It may feel better with rest.
A strangulated hernia happens when enough of the tissue or internal organ is trapped outside the abdominal muscle that its blood supply is cut off. The visible bulge of the hernia will become firm to the touch. If you suspect a strangulated hernia, rush to the ER for immediate treatment to prevent tissue death.
Hernias do tend to worsen over time. As the opening becomes weaker and wider, more tissue can push through it. The more tissue pushes through, the more likely it is to become trapped. This can be painful, and in extreme cases, can be dangerous.
Conventional repair
Open hernia repair is a major surgery that's performed with the aid of general anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation.
Symptoms. Abdominal wall hernias are generally visible: they will look like a lump or bulge beneath the skin. These hernias don't usually cause any other symptoms except for mild pain or discomfort, usually when you are straining (for instance, lifting something heavy).
Over-the-counter medications may relieve symptoms.
If advised by your doctor, over-the-counter medications like Tylenol and ibuprofen may be used temporarily to relieve mild pain and discomfort caused by a hernia.
Spontaneous rupture of an abdominal hernia is very rare and usually occurs in incisional or recurrent groin hernia. The rupture of abdominal hernia demands emergency surgery, to prevent further obstruction, strangulation of bowel and to cover its contents.
The best exercises for people with hernias
It's best to stick to low-impact activities prior to surgery to avoid making your hernia worse. We suggest: Swimming. Walking.
If this condition is left untreated longer than 6 hours, incarcerated hernia can cut off blood flow to part of the intestine, resulting in strangulated hernia.
Hernia complications can be major
Typical hernia sites are in the groin, navel or near a previous abdominal scar. Ignoring a hernia or not seeking treatment can result in more serious complications including intestinal blockage, hernia incarceration, or hernia strangulation.
The latest hernia repair techniques usually allow you to return to normal activities within 2 weeks. Gentle exercise, such as walking, can help the healing process. Heavy lifting and strenuous activities should be avoided for about 4 to 6 weeks.
It is our belief that the repair of the rectus diastasis is critical to a good outcome. Not only will it decrease the chance of a hernia recurrence, but will improve your core strength, stop post-pregnancy bulging due to abdominal wall laxity, and create a flatter, more functional muscular abdomen.
After hernia repair surgery, it is common to experience mild to moderate pain and to feel a little run down. It's also normal to feel pulling or twinges in the affected area as you heal. Most people, however, feel better within a few days and much better within a week of surgery.
Furthermore, in general, any heavy lifting is contraindicated with a hernia and while you are recovering from hernia surgery. You should not perform strength training exercises with a hernia unless you've been specifically cleared to do so by your doctor or physical therapist.
Typically, the hardest part about hernia surgery recovery, is the discomfort within the first 48 hours after surgery. By the third day after surgery, pain and discomfort will usually begin to improve.