What to Do After a Hernia Diagnosis

Upon receiving a hernia diagnosis, you may be wondering what you can do to make it better. Deciding on the right treatment solutions can be difficult, especially if this is your first time experiencing hernia symptoms or pursuing medical care. It helps to understand that hernias are not always preventable. They are very common. Anyone can develop them due to health and lifestyle. Fortunately, hernias are treatable. To understand what your treatment options are, consider the following information.

What Does a Hernia Diagnosis Mean?

Hernias can be caused by a variety of conditions, including muscle weakness from aging, lifting heavy objects, injury, obesity, or pregnancy. They develop when the abdominal muscles become too damaged or weak to properly support organs and keep them in place. As the muscular wall grows weaker, the organs start to bulge outward, causing the connective tissue in the muscular wall to separate and tear. As the condition progresses, certain activities and behaviors can trigger symptoms of pain, pressure, pulling, and distress. Bear in mind that some people have a higher risk of hernia development than others due to health, lifestyle, and genetics.

Hernia Type Diagnosis

Hernias are often medically referred to by their location in the body. Below are the most common types:

Hiatal – When a portion of the upper stomach extends its way into the diaphragm, symptoms of heartburn, acid reflux, swallowing difficulty, constipation, or chest pain may develop. These issues tend to get worse when bending, lifting, or consuming food.

Umbilical – This hernia type is more likely to develop in babies and children, although anyone who has certain risk factors can end up with it as well. Pain and swelling are the most noticeable symptoms that indicate a portion of the intestines is no longer behind the muscular wall in the navel area. Mild umbilical hernias can become enlarged, causing the navel area to grow much bigger than normal. Pain may also occur.

Incisional – This condition is common in people with a history of abdominal or stomach surgeries, including C-sections. Incisions from previous surgeries leave behind scar tissue that weakens and thins the abdominal wall. As the body ages, these incision sites become weaker and more vulnerable to the weight of the intestines. Eventually, the intestines force their way through, causing pain and enlargement.  This type of hernia is most common in older people with sedentary habits and those who are overweight.

Femoral – These abdominal growths develop when the intestines push through the muscular wall into the groin or upper thigh. More women than men end up with this condition due to rapid weight changes, usually during pregnancy. This type of hernia is also common in individuals who are obese or moderately overweight. Treatment is always advised for femoral hernias. Without surgery, they often become serious and cause complications, such as obstructions in the bowel, strangulation, painful swelling, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Death can also occur from untreated femoral hernias.

Inguinal – Inguinal hernias are very common in men. They develop when a portion of the bladder or intestines protrudes from the abdominal wall into the inguinal canal in the groin. Symptoms are typically triggered when coughing, bending, lifting, or straining. Serious inguinal hernias can cause severe pain, heaviness, and swelling in the groin area.

Now that you have a better understanding of the type of hernia you may be suffering from, you should review the following suggestions on ways you can alleviate any pain or symptoms you may be having.

Modify Eating and Lifestyle Habits

Hernias commonly occur without warning and eventually cause more pain, discomfort, and swelling than normal or bearable. They can become difficult to manage the longer they take to either go away or progress in size, amount, or pain. Complications risks increase drastically in the absence of proper treatment or surgery.

Hernias don’t always go away without treatment. Some people experience positive changes in their symptoms after making improvements in their daily activities, weight, and diet. However, most patients end up getting surgery for immediate and long-term relief. Patients considering or preparing for hernia repair surgery can also benefit from improving their diet and lifestyle before their procedure.

Consider Hernia Treatment Options

Hernias don’t always cause pain, swell, or become noticeable. In many cases, it’s only a matter of time before those symptoms start and treatment becomes imminent. The damaged abdominal wall muscles and connective tissues must be reinforced to make them stronger to keep the intestines and organs in their proper place. The safest and most effective way to repair the muscular wall and cure hernia pain or symptoms is with surgery. Repairs also help keep them from coming back, which is common for those who forgo treatment.

At Orange County Robotic General Surgery, Dr. Khosravi, our hernia repair and treatment specialist, performs minimally invasive laparoscopic, robot-assisted, and traditional hernia surgery for anyone who is ready to stop the agonizing and embarrassing symptoms this condition brings. Our patients benefit from less post-operative pain, faster recoveries, better outcomes, and they don’t have to live in fear of their hernias returning.

Though the thought of hernia surgery may not seem pleasant, it helps to think of how the benefits can improve your health, comfort, and quality of life. Don’t let your anxiety or uncertainty cause you to delay treatment unnecessarily, especially if you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, constipation, swelling, or pain. Contact us today to learn to discuss how hernia surgery can provide relief and improve your health. Call (714) 541-4996 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Khosravi, M.D.