A hernia is a common condition characterized by an internal organ or other body part protruding through the wall of a muscle or tissue that normally contains it. The condition develops when there is a weakness or hole in the muscular wall that allows tissues or organs to bulge through. At first, you may not experience the symptoms of a hernia; however, over time, it might lead to pain, discomfort, and progression.
It is pertinent to understand the progression of a hernia so that you can seek treatment at the right time.
What are the Early Symptoms of a Hernia?
The early symptoms of a hernia may not be the same for everyone. Some people may experience mild pain and discomfort, while others may not. Typically, the early symptoms of a hernia include the following:
- You will experience a noticeable bulge at the location of the hernia. This bulge appears like a lump that may or may not be painful. The bulge becomes more noticeable as you stand, cough, or perform a strenuous activity.
- In the beginning, you may experience mild discomfort or pressure around the site of the hernia. This condition produces a feeling of tension or pressure over the site that worsens while performing strenuous activities.
- You may experience intermittent symptoms, meaning these symptoms may reflect some times and may not others.
What Does the Progression of Hernia Look Like?
If you don’t opt for any treatment after experiencing early symptoms of a hernia, these may worsen over time. The hernia is bound to expand and cause more intense symptoms like the following:
Increased Pain and Discomfort
The pain level increases. What you experience intermittently, you will feel more often. It may be accompanied by a lot of discomfort, especially when you perform movements like walking, bending, or even lifting something. The simplest tasks, such as laughing, coughing, or sneezing, may result in a lot of pain.
Bulge Enlargement
The bulge you notice may become enlarged over time, calling for a visit to a doctor for suitable treatment. The advancement of a hernia weakens the muscles, letting the bulge protrude even more. At some point, it becomes difficult to retract the bulge back into a normal position.
Reduced Mobility
The advancement of a hernia may lead to mobility issues. You may experience chronic pain and irritation around the site of the hernia while performing daily activities. At this point, the hernia starts affecting your daily life.
These symptoms get worse over time, and if you don’t seek treatment early, the doctor may suggest you consider more serious options to get rid of the condition, including surgical intervention.
When is Surgery for Hernia the Only Option?
When you leave the hernia untreated, it may advance into further stages, making it a life-threatening condition in some cases. At this point, surgery is the only option to treat the condition.
Obstruction
An obstruction or incarcerated hernia is a situation where the protruding organ or part is not able to be reduced or pulled back into the cavity, obstructing the passage of food through the bowels, presenting with features of acute abdominal pain, including nausea, bloating, vomiting, and constipation. It is most commonly caused by the hernias located in the abdomen. This condition is a medical emergency and must be treated with surgical intervention.
Strangulation
Strangulation is another medical emergency that requires immediate surgical intervention. It occurs when the blood supply to the herniated tissue is blocked. If the blood supply is poor, the tissue becomes necrotic, and you may experience extreme redness, pain, discomfort, and even a change in skin color around the location of the hernia. The condition may become life-threatening as you may start choking. Only surgery may treat strangulation of the hernia.
Why is Early Treatment of Hernia Important?
If you overlook the symptoms and do not get the right treatment for a hernia on time, you are likely to develop severe complications that may affect your quality of life. Seeking medical attention as soon as you notice the symptoms of a hernia has multiple benefits:
- You can seek early treatment of a hernia to avoid severe complications. If a hernia is treated before progression, you save yourself from complications like obstruction and strangulation.
- The first stage of a hernia can be treated through minimally invasive methods, such as laparoscopic hernia surgery. The hospitalization period remains short, and you recover quickly.
- When you treat a hernia at the right time, you can resume your normal life without feeling pain or discomfort. Your quality of life improves.
Takeaway
A hernia is a common condition and can happen to anyone. It is always worse to treat a hernia in an advanced stage, as the risk may be higher and healing becomes slower. A hernia may begin as a mere discomfort, but if you overlook the symptoms, it may become dangerous and sometimes fatal. It is, therefore, advised to be watchful of the symptoms and get the treatment at the right time. Seek an appointment with the doctor even if you notice the slightest of symptoms to avoid your case from worsening.