Most people can tell when they have a hernia due to the development of a lump or bulge. Additionally, hernias will start off with a dull or mild pain when the person is moving around, depending on where the placement is.
Hernias are not immediately life-threatening, but if left untreated, can cause serious health problems.
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. One way you can tell if a lump is a hernia is if it ‘goes away’ while you are lying down– most people claim they can feel it when they’re standing up or bending over.
In some instances, people have hernias without experiencing any noticeable symptoms, and only discover them during routine checkups. Some patients are able to delay removal surgery for months or even years, but this is not a recommended practice.
Hernia Complications
If left untreated, hernias can cause more serious complications. Intestinal blockage can occur when the herniated bowel is pinched and normal waste can no longer be passed. An incarcerated hernia means part of your intestine or abdominal tissue has become trapped in the hernia sac and you can no longer digest and process food regularly. A strangulated hernia is when part of your intestine becomes trapped in the abdominal wall resulting in the blood supply to your organs getting cut off.
All of these complications are considered medical emergencies and need immediate attention or surgery to repair them.
Don’t Wait
If you suspect that you have a hernia, don’t wait until the problem worsens. Hernias will not go away on their own and can cause serious health problems if left untreated. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Jacob by calling 212-879-6677 today.
