Should I go to the ER for hernia pain?

If the hernia becomes very painful, that can mean the intestine is trapped inside the hernia, cutting off blood flow to the intestine. This is uncommon, but it can be life-threatening and should be repaired immediately. If you develop significant pain, go to the Emergency Department.


How do you know if hernia pain is serious?

Q: What are the signs of a hernia emergency?
  1. A painful bulge that doesn't reduce in size when you lay down and rest.
  2. Worsening pain.
  3. Nausea and/or vomiting.
  4. Difficulty having a bowel movement.
  5. Bloating.
  6. Racing heart rate.
  7. Fever.


How can I get immediate relief from hernia pain?

Use an ice pack.

If you have a hernia in the abdomen or groin, applying an ice pack to the affected area can help reduce pain and inflammation.


What type of hernia requires emergency surgery?

Seek immediate medical attention if there are signs that your hernia has become stuck or strangulated, which can be life-threatening and usually requires emergency surgery. Signs of this condition include: A hernia bulge that is suddenly larger than before.

Do hernias require emergency surgery?

Incarcerated Hernia – Some patients show up with a hernia that can not be pushed back in, with or without severe pain. Patients without severe pain can have urgent surgery within a few weeks. Patients with severe pain often need emergency surgery and are best evaluated in an emergency room.


Know When to Go to the Emergency Room (ER) vs. Immediate Care



Will the ER fix my hernia?

The visible bulge of the hernia will become firm to the touch. If you suspect a strangulated hernia, rush to the ER for immediate treatment to prevent tissue death.

How do you know if a hernia is ruptured?

5 Signs of a Severe Hernia
  • Sudden or worsening pain. Some hernias cause pain or sensations like aching, heaviness, or weakness. ...
  • Hernia bulge changing color. The lump caused by a hernia is typically the color of your skin. ...
  • Nausea or vomiting. ...
  • Fever. ...
  • Constipation.


How long can a hernia be left untreated?

How Long Can You Last? Hernias will not go away on their own. If ignored or left untreated, they will only grow bigger and more painful. It's best to take care of the hernia within the first six hours of recognizing a problem or noticing a lump.


How long are you in hospital for a hernia operation?

The operation usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete and you'll usually be able to go home on the same day. Some people stay in hospital overnight if they have other medical problems or live on their own.

What happens if a hernia ruptures?

Spontaneous rupture of an abdominal hernia is very rare and usually occurs in incisional or recurrent groin hernia. The rupture of abdominal hernia demands emergency surgery, to prevent further obstruction, strangulation of bowel and to cover its contents.

Why is my hernia hurting so much?

Pain, localized to the area of the hernia defect itself is usually the result of stretching and tearing of the abdominal wall tissue such as the area muscle and tendon. As the bulge increases, this pain tends to be more intense.


Does lying down relieve hernia pain?

A hernia also may cause swelling and a feeling of heaviness, tugging, or burning in the area of the hernia. These symptoms may get better when you lie down.

What medicine can stop hernia pain?

We advise that our patients take both Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen) together every 6 hours. We prescribe oxycodone for the patients who need it, which is about 1 in 10.

When should you go to ER for suspected hernia?

If the hernia becomes very painful, that can mean the intestine is trapped inside the hernia, cutting off blood flow to the intestine. This is uncommon, but it can be life-threatening and should be repaired immediately. If you develop significant pain, go to the Emergency Department.


How do you know if you need to go to the hospital for a hernia?

Is Your Hernia a Medical Emergency? Some hernias are extremely serious and require immediate medical attention. If you have a noticeable bulge or protrusion accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever or chills, or if you are unable to have a normal bowel movement, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Can you live with a painful hernia?

How long can you live with a hernia? The absolute answer is that it is “unpredictable.” Some can live with a hernia for their whole life while others will develop a hernia related emergency within months of the development of their hernia.

When does hernia surgery become urgent?

Symptoms of a hernia in need of emergency treatment include: Severe pain, swelling or redness at the hernia site. Hernia bulge growing quickly. Nausea and/or vomiting.


How much of an emergency is a hernia?

Is my hernia a medical emergency? Hernias become a medical emergency if the intestine—or esophagus, in the case of hiatal hernias—becomes trapped or incarcerated, cutting off its own blood supply.

Is hernia surgery major or minor?

Conventional repair

Open hernia repair is a major surgery that's performed with the aid of general anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation. It's done through one or two standard-sized incisions (three to six inches in length) that allow the surgeon to fully visualize and access the problematic area.

What does a strangulated hernia feel like?

Strangulated hernias cause a noticeable bulge in the abdomen or pelvis. They can also cause excruciating abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting and rapid heartbeat. Gastrointestinal complications of a strangulated hernia include bloody stools and the inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.


What not to do with a hernia?

If you have a hernia, try to keep it from getting worse:
  • Avoid heavy lifting when you can. Lifting puts stress on the groin.
  • When you must lift, don't bend over. Lift objects by using the legs, not the back.
  • Eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water. ...
  • Maintain a healthy body weight.


What flares up a hernia?

Symptoms and Causes

Such strain may come from physical exertion, obesity, pregnancy, frequent coughing, or straining on the toilet due to constipation. Adults may get an umbilical hernia by straining the abdominal area, being overweight, having a long-lasting heavy cough or after giving birth.

How do hospitals treat hernias?

Open hernia repair

In this procedure, which might be done with local anesthesia and sedation or general anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision in your groin and pushes the protruding tissue back into your abdomen. The surgeon then sews the weakened area, often reinforcing it with a synthetic mesh (hernioplasty).


Should a hernia be treated immediately?

The hernia won't heal on its own. If your hernia does not bother you, most likely you can wait to have surgery. Your hernia may get worse, but it may not. Over time, hernias tend to get bigger as the muscle wall of the belly gets weaker and more tissue bulges through.

Can you put a heating pad on a hernia?

Pain Relief

Heating pads will help. Please use heat on the lowest setting, for no more than 15 minutes at a time. It's normal to have pain, swelling, and numbness of the incision and area around it. You may use an ice pack on your incision for 20 minutes, then off for 20 minutes to decrease pain and swelling.
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