What can happen if a hernia is not treated?

If it is left untreated, a strangulated hernia can lead to life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis (severe inflammation of intestine) and sepsis. Since hernias can happen to anyone at any age, knowing warning signs of hernias and being aware of them are essential.

What cause a hernia?

What Causes Hernias? Ultimately, all hernias are caused by a combination of pressure and an opening or weakness of muscle or fascia; the pressure pushes an organ or tissue through the opening or weak spot. Sometimes the muscle weakness is present at birth; more often, it occurs later in life.

What are the warning signs of a hernia?

Signs and Symptoms of a Hernia

• An obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or the groin.
• A heavy feeling in the abdomen that sometimes comes with constipation or blood in the stool.
• Discomfort in the abdomen or groin when lifting or bending over.
• A burning or aching sensation at the bulge.

Can hernia cause death?

Strangulation. An incarcerated hernia can cut off blood flow to part of your intestine. Strangulation can lead to the death of the affected bowel tissue. A strangulated hernia is life-threatening and requires immediate surgery.

Is having a hernia serious?

“Hernias cannot heal on their own — if left untreated, they usually get bigger and more painful, and can cause serious health risks in some cases.” If the wall through which the intestine is protruding closes shut, it can cause a strangulated hernia, which cuts off blood flow to the bowel.

Is a hernia serious?

Are hernias serious?

Is hernia curable?

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.

What happens if a hernia bursts?

A strangulated hernia occurs when the blood supply to the herniated tissue has been cut off. This strangulated tissue can release toxins and infection into the bloodstream, which could lead to sepsis or death.

How do hernias look?

Appearance. The hernia will look like a bulge or bump in the scrotum or groin region. Standing or bearing down with force will often make the bulge more noticeable. The bulge typically takes time to appear, but it can form suddenly after coughing, lifting heavy weights, straining, bending, or laughing.

What are the dangers of a hernia?

The hernia may eventually come back.

What can go wrong with a hernia operation?

Any operation may be associated with complications. The primary complications of any operation are bleeding and infection, which are uncommon with laparoscopic hernia repair. There is a very low risk of injury to the urinary bladder, the intestines, blood vessels, nerves or the sperm tube going to the testicle.

How long can you live with a hernia?

People can live with hernia for even 10 years as routinely unobstructed hernia is painless. It is just a swelling. Painful hernia means it is obstructed or strangulation, which is an emergency and if not treated within hours will lead to gangrene and threaten patient’s life.

What happens if a hernia is left untreated?

If left untreated, it’s common for a hernia to get bigger and more painful. And the longer you have a hernia, the greater your risk of developing complications. There are two main complications that can develop in untreated hernias: obstruction (also known as incarceration) and strangulation. (1)