Hernia can be of different types, and this condition can occur in any one irrespective of their age or gender. Some cases of hernia are relatively mild and the patient might not experience much difficulty. However, if you are suffering from severe cases, then it can cause you significant pain, as well as discomfort. Now, many patients might want to know when to worry about hernia pain.
If your condition is very severe then it might manifest a number of symptoms. Gathering a clear idea regarding these signs and symptoms is very important. It will help you to take the necessary action at the earliest. If you experience any of these symptoms, then it is recommended that you seek medical help without any delay. Failure to do so might even land you in life threatening circumstances.
Hernia & its types
Before seeing when to worry about hernia pain, let’s go through this condition and its types.
Hernia can be regarded as a condition which occurs when an internal organ/ tissue protrudes through a particular area in the surrounding connective tissue or muscle. As a result, you will be able to find a noticeable bulge in the affected area. Sometimes, this bulge can cause immense discomfort and pain in the patients.
Hernia can be of different types, and they are enumerated below.
- Femoral Hernia
The femoral canal is located near the upper thigh and the groin area. In this type of hernia, a part of the intestine /fatty tissue comes out through the femoral canal. These hernias are observed in both men and women.
- Inguinal Hernia
Here, a part of the intestine/ fatty tissue tends to come out through an opening in the inguinal canal or the abdominal muscles. This is a very common type of abdominal hernia, and is frequently seen in men. The occurrence of this hernia in women is quite rare.
- Umbilical Hernia
In umbilical hernia, fatty tissues or a part of the intestine tend to protrude via the abdominal wall that is present near the belly button area. It is usually seen in young children and infants. But, sometimes adults can also suffer from umbilical hernia.
- Hiatal Hernia
This condition occurs when the upper portion of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm. Such hernias can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is mostly seen in older adults.
- Incisional Hernia
In this case, a part of the intestine or some other tissues tend to push through the abdominal wall at the place of a surgical incision.
Find out when to worry about hernia pain
We have given a detailed overview regarding hernia & different types of hernia. It is very important that the patients have a clear idea regarding the signs and symptoms that might be a cause for concern. This will help them to begin the necessary treatment course immediately. Now, let’s see when to worry about the hernia pain. Sometimes, persistent or worsening pain might be an indication that your condition is serious. In addition to that, you might also experience several other complications.
- Persistent or Worsening Pain
Sometimes, the hernia might not improve through rest, and it might aggravate with time. During such instances, you might experience persistent and worsening pain. So, this kind of pain is a clear indication that your condition is worsening, and requires medical attention at the earliest.
- Strangulation
Strangulation occurs when the supply of blood to the herniated tissue is completely cut off. This in turn leads to strangulated hernia. Sometimes, tissue death can also occur because of this strangulation. If you are suffering from strangulated hernia, then you will be experiencing a number of symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, sudden, severe pain, rapid heart rate, etc.
- Incarceration
Incarceration occurs when the herniated tissue becomes trapped. Thus, this tissue cannot be pushed back to its original place. This results in the development of incarcerated hernia, and it can cause immense discomfort and pain. This situation requires immediate medical attention or else it might lead to strangulation.
- Obstruction
Sometimes, the hernia can trap a part of the intestine and this can lead to a significant obstruction. This can manifest a number of symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and constipation. In order to get relief from these discomforts, you should take the necessary measures at the earliest.
Diagnosis of hernia
Now that we know when to worry about hernia pain, let’s take a look at the different methods that are employed for the diagnosis of this condition.
- Physical Exam
First of all, your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination to detect the presence of any visible or palpable bulge in the concerned area. Along with that, they might inquire about the different symptoms that you are experiencing. They will also gather the important details regarding your medical history.
- Imaging Tests
In order to confirm the diagnosis, as well as find out the severity of the case, imaging tests are mandatory. These include different tests, such as Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, etc.
Treatment of Hernia
The appropriate course of treatment for a hernia condition will depend upon a number of factors, such as type of hernia, its severity, presence or absence of complications, etc.
- Your health care provider might recommend watchful waiting for those hernias that are small, and uncomplicated.
- On the other hand, if the hernia is increasing in size, or causing immense pain, then your healthcare provider might ask you to undergo a surgery for hernia repair. There are a number of surgical procedures that can be employed for managing hernia. These include:
- Robotic surgery
- Open surgery
- Laparoscopic surgery
So, we have seen when to worry about hernia pain, its diagnosis & treatment. Thus, you have to look for the discussed signs and symptoms to get an idea regarding the severity of this condition. If you notice any of the listed signs, then you must visit your healthcare provider and get yourself examined thoroughly. Thereafter, your healthcare provider will recommend the particular treatment option that is best for you.