Full Answer
How bad is an inguinal hernia?
Inguinal hernia could be fatal if it becomes trapped (incarcerated), a condition when the bulge doesn’t respond with manual pressure. Incarcerated hernia can lead to strangulation and serious internal infection (sepsis). So it’s important to keep monitoring the problem, even though you have the mild one and decide to go on wait-&-see approach.
What are the signs of an inguinal hernia?
- A bulge in your groin area: If so, you may have a direct or indirect hernia.
- You will see swelling in the lower part of your abdomen that extends down toward or even into your scrotum.
- A bulge on the thigh below your groin: This is most likely a femoral hernia.
What to do about an inguinal hernia?
Part 1 Part 1 of 3: Treating Hernia Pain at Home
- Use ice packs. If you're feeling relatively mild discomfort, apply an ice pack to the site of your hernia for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Take medication to manage pain. If you're experiencing moderate hernia pain, you may get some relief from over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
- Take medication to treat reflux. ...
Is inguinal hernia life threatening?
However, many hernias do not cause pain. An inguinal hernia isn't necessarily dangerous. It doesn't improve on its own, however, and can lead to life-threatening complications. Your doctor is likely to recommend surgery to fix an inguinal hernia that's painful or enlarging.
Can a hernia give you diarrhea?
About 20 percent of patients experience changes in bowel habits after hiatal hernia surgery, most commonly diarrhea. If the hernia is smaller, surgeons can use minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to repair the hiatal hernia.
Can a hernia cause constipation and diarrhea?
Severe pain, nausea and vomiting It is accompanied by severe pain, nausea, vomiting and constipation, and could be life-threatening. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience these types of intense symptoms. An untreated hernia in adults will not go away, but the good news is hernias are treatable.
Can inguinal hernia cause upset stomach?
An inguinal hernia can cause someone to feel like they had an enormous meal when in fact they did not. This very common type of hernia can also make you feel bloated accompanied with pain in the groin and lower abdomen.
Can a hernia cause diarrhea and vomiting?
Hernias often involve organs in your digestive system, from your stomach to your intestines. If your hernia is severe, the affected organ can get trapped in your muscle wall. It's called an incarcerated hernia, and it can cause digestive issues like nausea, upset stomach, and vomiting.
Can inguinal hernia affect bowel movements?
If the contents of the hernia become trapped in the weak point in the abdominal wall, the contents can obstruct the bowel, leading to severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and the inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
How long can you live with inguinal hernia?
Based on epidemiological data, approximately 20% of patients with a painless inguinal hernia will live many years prior to worsening symptoms or urgent need for surgery. The reason to fix the hernia is increasing discomfort, pain, or hernia enlargement (surgery will end these symptoms).
What should you not do with an inguinal hernia?
Wise ChoicesAvoid heavy lifting when you can. Lifting puts stress on the groin.When you must lift, don't bend over. Lift objects by using the legs, not the back.Eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water. This helps prevent constipation and straining during bowel movements.Maintain a healthy body weight.
What foods should I avoid with an inguinal hernia?
Avoid foods that cause constipation such as dairy products, red meat, processed foods such as pizza, frozen dinners, pasta, sugar products such as cakes, pies, pastries, doughnuts and caffeine and caffeine drinks. Some discomfort, but this should not be excessive. Some swelling and bruising into the scrotal area.
How do I know if my inguinal hernia is strangulated?
What are the symptoms of a strangulated hernia?acute pain that comes on suddenly and may get more severe.bloody stools.constipation.darkening or reddening of the skin over the hernia.fatigue.fever.inability to pass gas.inflammation or tenderness around the hernia.More items...
How can I reduce my inguinal hernia without surgery?
A hernia usually does not go away without surgery. Non-surgical approaches such as wearing a corset, binder, or truss may exert gentle pressure on the hernia and keep it in place. These methods may ease the pain or discomfort and may be used if you are not fit for the surgery or awaiting surgery.
When to go to the ER for a hernia?
Symptoms of a hernia in need of emergency treatment include: Severe pain, swelling or redness at the hernia site. Hernia bulge growing quickly. Nausea and/or vomiting.
How do you know if a hernia has ruptured?
In mild cases, individuals may not have any symptoms at all. In more severe cases, an individual may experience mild abdominal discomfort or severe abdominal pain. Individuals may also experience vomiting, nausea, constipation, and abdominal tenderness.
What kind of hernia causes constipation?
Sometimes, inguinal hernias are not present at birth and instead develop over time. This may be caused by pressure from straining, such as for heavy lifting or constipation. Symptoms include a bulge in the groin or scrotum that may or may not be painful, or a burning or “heavy” sensation in that area.
How do you relieve constipation from a hernia?
Constipation caused by hernia can be relieved in a few ways:Drinking more water can help soften stool.Eating foods rich in fiber will help move food along.Eating yogurt or foods with other probiotics can aid the digestive tract.Walking can help loosen stool with motion.Take a stool softener.More items...
What does a bowel hernia feel like?
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.
Can a hernia cause digestive problems?
Because a hernia is often created by a portion of the small intestine pressing through the abdominal wall, it can negatively affect the digestive system. By constricting the small intestine, a hernia can cause constipation and other digestive problems.
Can a hernia be incarcerated?
Not usually: Unless the hernia is trapped & incarcerated, making the hernia very hard & painful. Go to an er for an exam if your are not sure, as a true incarcerated hernia can be an emergency problem often associated with bad pain at the hernia with nausea & vomiting.
Can a hernia cause acid reflux?
Very indirectly.: Hiatal hernia can cause you to have frequent acid reflux. Frequent acid reflux can back up into the lungs sometimes and put you at risk for developing certain kinds of bacterial and viral infections. So the answer is, hiatal hernia can *indirectly* increase your risk of dangerous bacterial infections.
Can a hernia be linked to a hernia?
Doubtful: While it is possible that this could happen, it would be unusual, and there is really no way to link the symptom to the hernia anyway. Having said tha... Read More
Can a hernia be trapped?
Not usually: Unless the hernia is trapped & incarcerated, making the hernia very hard & painful. Go to an er for an exam if your are not sure, as a true incarcerat... Read More
Does hiatal hernia cause diarrhea and weight loss?
Should not: A hiatal hernia is just a loosening of the diaphragm allowing part of the stomach to slip up into the chest thereby allowing easier acid reflux to occ... Read More
Can a femoral hernia cause acid reflux, nausea, diarrhea and constipation?
Unlikely: A hiatal hernia may cause this but not typically a femoral hernia unless it is strangulated with obstruction.
Can a hiatal hernia cause heartburn?
Unlikely: Your symptoms are not likely from a hiatal hernia. Typical hhs symptoms are heartburn and regurgitation. Indigestion could be a sign of dyspepsia or ... Read More
Is a para esophageal hernia a hernia?
Unclear: If your are referring to a para esophageal hernia, which is a type of hiatal hernia, it could be responsible for the pain. Sometimes the colon is hern... Read More
Can an inguinal hernia cause diarrhea?
No: No, diarrhea is more of a physiological issue, not caused by an anatomical problem like hernia.
Why do inguinal hernias develop?
Other inguinal hernias develop later in life when muscles weaken or deteriorate due to aging, strenuous physical activity or coughing that accompanies smoking. Weaknesses can also occur in the abdominal wall later in life, especially after an injury or abdominal surgery.
How do you know if you have an inguinal hernia?
Inguinal hernia signs and symptoms include: A bulge in the area on either side of your pubic bone, which becomes more obvious when you're upright, especially if you cough or strain. A burning or aching sensation at the bulge. Pain or discomfort in your groin, especially when bending over, coughing or lifting.
What happens if you don't push a hernia in?
If you aren't able to push the hernia in, the contents of the hernia may be trapped (incarcerated) in the abdominal wall. An incarcerated hernia can become strangulated, which cuts off the blood flow to the tissue that's trapped. A strangulated hernia can be life-threatening if it isn't treated.
What is the term for a hernia in the abdomen?
Close. Inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernias occur when part of the membrane lining the abdominal cavity (omentum) or intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdomen — often along the inguinal canal, which carries the spermatic cord in men. An inguinal her nia occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, ...
Why do babies have hernias?
Inguinal hernias in newborns and children result from a weakness in the abdominal wall that's present at birth. Sometimes the hernia will be visible only when an infant is crying, coughing or straining during a bowel movement. He or she might be irritable and have less appetite than usual.
What to do if a hernia bulge turns red?
Seek immediate care if a hernia bulge turns red, purple or dark or if you notice any other signs or symptoms of a strangulated hernia.
What happens if you have an incarcerated hernia?
If the contents of the hernia become trapped in the weak point in the abdominal wall, the contents can obstruct the bowel, leading to severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and the inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
