If your doctor has diagnosed you with a hernia, you may be wondering if surgery is absolutely necessary.
In most cases, yes, you need surgery to repair your hernia, which your body can’t fix itself. In the meantime, though, while you’re waiting for surgery, there are a few steps you can take to improve your hernia symptoms.
At New Life Medical in Bakersfield, California, experienced surgeon Nirav Naik, MD, FACS, specializes in hernia surgery. Here’s what you need to know about the procedure — and how you can help your hernia injury on your own.
A hernia occurs when parts of your intestines or other tissues push through a weakness in your muscle walls or connective tissue to create a bulge in a space where they normally aren’t found.
This happens when your muscle wall weakens related to issues such as a natural breakdown of tissue, pregnancy, or obesity. It can also occur due to an abnormal force being exerted on your muscle wall, which can be caused by chronic coughing, heavy lifting, straining, or an accident.
Hernias can break through various muscle walls in your body, but they’re most common in abdominal and pelvic walls. Doctors perform more than a million surgeries each year to repair abdominal hernias. An inguinal hernia is in your groin area, while an umbilical hernia is near your belly button, and a hiatal hernia goes through your abdominal cavity into your chest cavity.
Symptoms of a hernia may include an ache or burning sensation near the swelling, pain when you lift something, a bulge you can feel or see, and pressure or weakness in your abdomen or groin.
Once a hernia occurs, it requires surgery to repair it because your body can’t fix a hole in your muscle wall or connective tissue on its own. You may be able to delay surgery if your hernia doesn’t bother you much, but it’s important to have the surgery if you’re experiencing symptoms. If you wait too long, the hernia may worsen and cause serious complications.
Dr. Naik performs minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to identify and repair the defect in your muscle wall. He may use stitches, tape, mesh, or staples for the repair, and you can often go home the same day as your surgery. He gives you aftercare instructions, including recommendations for getting back to work and resuming your regular activities.
If you need immediate relief from your hernia symptoms, a few tips may help.
A hernia belt can support your muscle wall from the outside, which can help prevent your tissues from bulging. Pillows can also help you brace your abdomen if you have to cough or sneeze.
Eating an anti-inflammatory diet can reduce the symptoms of your hernia, and ice can help reduce inflammation in the area and decrease your symptoms as well.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a hernia or suspect that you may have one, our team at New Life Medical has the expertise to treat you. To schedule an appointment, call us at 661-230-7344.
