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SALT LAKE CITY — Each year, millions of Americans have surgery to repair a hernia. While the ailment is common, it can be dangerous.
A hernia happens when an organ or tissue of any kind is pushed through a muscle or layer of tissue barriers it should not. This can happen in any place in your body.
According to WebMD.com, the most common types of hernias are inguinal (inner groin on right or left side), incisional (resulting from an incision), femoral (outer groin on right or left side), umbilical (belly button) and hiatal (upper stomach).
Sometimes the muscle weakness that causes hernias can be present at birth, but more often it occurs later in life. The older you get, and the weaker your muscle tone becomes, the more likely you are to get a hernia. Poor nutrition, smoking and overexertion of any kind can also weaken muscles and make hernias more likely.
In addition, anything that causes an increase in pressure in the abdomen can cause the sudden symptoms of a hernia — things like constant coughing, heavy lifting, childbirth, etc.
Some signs of a hernia include:
- A bulge (the most typical sign of a hernia)
- If the bulge flattens out when you lay down or press on it, the hernia probably needs prompt but not emergency medical attention.
- If the bulge does not flatten out when you lay down or press on it, it may be trapped or strangulated. This type of hernia requires immediate medical attention.
- Discomfort or pain in conducting your daily activities, especially when you exert yourself
- Pain can be sharp and sudden or dull and achy. It can also be a combination of both.
- Pain typically becomes more intense as the day goes on.
- Pain can also worsen after standing for long periods of time.
- Discomfort or pain during urination or bowel movements.
- A feeling of weakness or pressure in the groin area
- With a hiatal hernia, it is common to feel pressure after eating, similar to the pressure you would feel during a heart attack. This is caused by food being trapped in the herniated part of your esophagus.
Ask Nurse Suzy
Do you have a question for Nurse Suzy, or maybe a topic you'd like her opinion on? Email her at <a href="mailto:nursesuzyksl@gmail.com">nursesuzyksl@gmail.com</a>.
Hernias of any kind should be evaluated by a doctor. Treatment is complicated, and there are several approaches to begin the process of treatment. There is no quick cure, and this is not a diagnosis for which you should seek alternative methods for treatment. Referral to a surgeon should generally be made to evaluate treatment options.
If you find a new, painful, tender and irreducible lump, it's possible you may have an irreducible hernia, and you should have it checked in an emergency setting. If you already have a hernia and it suddenly becomes painful, tender and irreducible, you should also go to the emergency department.
Strangulation (cut off blood supply) of intestine within the hernia sac can lead to gangrenous (dead) bowel in as little as six hours and death could soon follow due to sepsis. I have seen this in my career.
Suzanne Carlile, "Nurse Suzy," has been a nurse since 1982. Her main focus is critical care and nursing education. She holds a master's degree in nursing, is a Certified Emergency Nurse, and a member of NNSDO Intermountain West Chapter.
