Can Hernia Cure Without Surgery
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.
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Can hernia be cured by medicine?
Ventral hernia – A ventral hernia happens when tissue bulges through an opening in the muscles of your abdomen. You may notice that a ventral hernia decreases in size when you’re lying down. Although a ventral hernia can be present from birth, it’s more commonly acquired at some point during your lifetime.
Common factors in ventral hernia formation include obesity, pregnancy, and strenuous activity. Ventral hernias can also occur at the site of a surgical incision. This is called an incisional hernia and can result from surgical scarring or weakness of the abdominal muscles at the surgical site. Continue reading about ventral hernias.
The most common symptom of a hernia is a bulge or lump in the affected area. For example, in the case of an inguinal hernia, you may notice a lump on either side of your pubic bone where your groin and thigh meet. You may find that the lump “disappears” when you’re lying down.
- You’re more likely to feel your hernia through touch when you’re standing up, bending down, or coughing.
- Discomfort or pain in the area around the lump may also be present.
- Some types of hernia, such as hiatal hernias, can have more specific symptoms.
- These can include heartburn, trouble swallowing, and chest pain,
In many cases, hernias have no symptoms. You may not know you have a hernia unless it shows up while you’re undergoing a medical exam for an unrelated problem or a routine physical, Hernias are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and strain, Depending on its cause, a hernia can develop quickly or over a long period of time.
a congenital condition, which occurs during development in the womb and is present from birthagingdamage from an injury or surgerystrenuous exercise or lifting heavy weights chronic coughing or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) pregnancy, especially having multiple pregnancies constipation, which causes you to strain when having a bowel movementbeing overweight or having obesity ascites
There are also certain risk factors that make you more likely to develop a hernia. They include:
being born prematurely or having a low birth weight being olderchronic cough (likely due to the repetitive increase in abdominal pressure) cystic fibrosis pregnancy chronic constipation being overweight or having obesity smoking, which leads to the weakening of connective tissuea personal or family history of hernias
The only way to effectively treat a hernia is through surgical repair. Whether or not you need surgery depends on the size of your hernia and the severity of your symptoms. Your doctor may want to simply monitor your hernia for possible complications. This approach is called watchful waiting.
- In some cases, wearing a truss may help to ease the symptoms of a hernia.
- A truss is a supportive undergarment that helps to hold the hernia in place.
- Always see your doctor to make sure that a truss fits properly before using it.
- If you have a hiatal hernia, over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications that reduce stomach acid can relieve your discomfort and improve symptoms.
These include antacids, H2 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors, To diagnose your condition, your doctor will first perform a physical examination. During this examination, the doctor may feel for a bulge in your abdominal or groin area that gets larger when you stand, cough, or strain.
When did you first notice the bulge?Have you experienced any other symptoms?Do you think something in particular may have caused it to occur?Tell me a little bit about your lifestyle. Does your occupation involve heavy lifting? Do you exercise rigorously? Do you lift weights professionally or recreationally? Do you have a history of smoking?Do you have a personal or family history of hernias?Have you had any surgeries in your abdominal or groin area?
Your doctor will also likely use imaging tests to aid in their diagnosis. These can include:
Abdominal ultrasound. Abdominal ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the structures inside the body. Abdominal CT scan. Abdominal CT scan combines X-rays with computer technology to produce an image. Abdominal MRI scan. Abdominal MRI scan uses a combination of strong magnets and radio waves to create an image.
If your doctor suspects a hiatal hernia, they may use other tests that allow them to assess the inside of your stomach:
X-rays of your digestive tract. A healthcare professional will have you drink a liquid containing diatrizoate meglumine/diatrizoate sodium (Gastrografin) or a liquid barium solution, These liquids help your digestive tract appear highlighted on X-ray images. Endoscopy. During an endoscopy, a healthcare professional threads a small camera attached to a tube down your throat and into your esophagus and stomach.
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here. Home remedies won’t cure your hernia, but there are some things you can do to help ease your symptoms. Increasing your fiber intake may help relieve constipation. Constipation can cause straining during bowel movements, which can aggravate a hernia.
Some examples of high fiber foods include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Dietary changes can also help with the symptoms of a hiatal hernia. Try to avoid large or heavy meals, don’t lie down or bend over after a meal, and keep your body weight in a moderate range, To prevent acid reflux, avoid foods that may cause it, such as spicy foods and tomato-based foods.
Additionally, giving up cigarettes may also help, if you smoke. Exercise may work to strengthen muscles around the hernia and promote weight loss, helping reduce some symptoms. A study from 2018 investigated the effects of an exercise program on people with obesity who were undergoing ventral hernia repair surgery.
- The people who completed the exercise program had fewer complications following surgery.
- Remember that some types of exercise, such as weightlifting or exercises that strain the abdomen, may increase pressure at the area of the hernia.
- This may actually cause the hernia to bulge more.
- The same is true for exercises that are done improperly.
If you have a hernia, it’s best to discuss exercising with a doctor or physical therapist. They can work closely with you to let you know which exercises are best for you and how to perform them properly to prevent irritating your hernia. It’s important to recognize the symptoms of a hernia and to see a doctor if you suspect that you have one.
An untreated hernia won’t go away by itself, and hernias can cause complications that are life threatening. A doctor can assess your hernia and determine the best treatment option. Early medical care and lifestyle changes can minimize symptoms. However, surgery is the only way to effectively treat a hernia.
There are different types of hernia repair surgeries, and a surgeon can advise on which one is right for your condition. The outlook for people who undergo hernia repair surgery is generally very good. However, it can depend on the nature of the hernia, your symptoms, and your overall health.
- In some cases, the hernia may recur after repair surgery.
- If your hernia is growing larger or causing pain, a surgeon may decide it’s best to operate.
- If the hernia causes an extra hole in your abdominal wall, they may repair your hernia by sewing the hole in the abdominal wall closed during surgery.
- This is commonly done by patching the hole with surgical mesh,
Sometimes a hernia results in one of the body’s passageways opening even wider than it should. For example, this can occur in the space where the esophagus is meant to pass through the diaphragm. In these cases, surgery can be performed to tighten the opening.
- Hernias can be repaired with either open or laparoscopic surgery.
- During open surgery, the surgeon makes an incision close to the site of the hernia, and then pushes the bulging tissue back into the abdomen.
- They then sew the area shut, sometimes reinforcing it with surgical mesh.
- Finally, they close the incision.
Laparoscopic surgery uses a tiny camera and miniaturized surgical equipment to repair the hernia. It only requires a few small incisions and is less damaging to the surrounding tissue. Not all hernias are suitable for laparoscopic surgery. If your hernia requires an open surgical repair, your surgeon will work with you to determine which technique is best for your condition.
Can you live normally after a hernia?
Absolutely Yes! If your hernia is not causing pain or discomfort – it is possible to live with your hernia. One must remember that there is a risk of an emergency (incarceration or strangulation) from any hernia. A painless hernia typically (but not always) will start causing discomfort prior to an emergency.
What happens if you ignore a hernia?
Watch out! Do not leave hernias untreated. Hernias occur when an organ especially small intestine protrudes through a weakened spot or tear in the abdominal wall. Hernias are commonly caused by a combination of muscle weakness and increased abdominal pressure.
Hernias cause a bulge or lump in the affected area such as groin (inguinal hernia), umbilicus (umbilical hernia) or surgical incision which is not properly closed (incisional hernia). If the protruding intestine is not pushed back in place, the contents of hernia might be trapped in the abdominal wall, then becoming strangulated which cuts off blood supply to surrounding tissue that is trapped.
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 is life after hernia surgery?
Your Recovery After surgery to repair your hernia, you are likely to have pain for a few days. You may also feel tired and have less energy than normal. This is common. You should feel better after a few days and will probably feel much better in 7 days.
Does hernia repair last a lifetime?
Surgical Mesh – Surgical mesh is a medical device that is used to provide additional support to weakened or damaged tissue. The majority of surgical mesh devices currently available for use are constructed from synthetic materials or animal tissue. Surgical mesh made of synthetic materials can be found in knitted mesh or non-knitted sheet forms.
The synthetic materials used can be absorbable, non-absorbable or a combination of absorbable and non-absorbable materials. Animal-derived mesh are made of animal tissue, such as intestine or skin, that has been processed and disinfected to be suitable for use as an implanted device. These animal-derived mesh are absorbable.
The majority of tissue used to produce these mesh implants are from a pig (porcine) or cow (bovine) source. Non-absorbable mesh will remain in the body indefinitely and is considered a permanent implant. It is used to provide permanent reinforcement to the repaired hernia.
How long can a hernia repair last?
How Long Does Hernia Mesh Repair Last? – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that hernia mesh is a permanent implant. It means that once implanted; it is not designed to be removed. The FDA also states that hernia mesh should last a lifetime.
- However, many reports of hernia mesh failure and the need for revision surgery.
- Hence, it is crucial to consult with a board-certified hernia surgeon to learn about the risks and benefits of hernia surgery and the types of hernia mesh available.
- The surgeon will also be able to advise on the expected lifespan of the repair.
Saint Agnes Medical Group offers expert hernia repair Baltimore, Our doctors have extensive experience treating all types of hernias, from the most common to the most complex.