Do Hernias Go Away On Their Own?

Do hernias go away on their own? If you have a painful hernia, we are sorry to tell you, but it’s wishful thinking to believe it will just go away. You most likely will need surgery, as that is the only treatment. However, if you have a hernia that never bothers you very much, the prognosis is a bit better.

Hernias Are Quite Common

You are not alone if you have been diagnosed with a hernia. Over a million repairs are performed every year in the US, so imagine how many adults are walking around with one right now.

A hernia occurs when tissue or an organ pushes through and bulges out of its normal place, squeezing through other tissue or weak muscle walls. It can be a small hernia that causes no pain, or it can be a larger one which hurts when doing any kind of physical activity.

A hernia is not necessarily dangerous, and some people don’t even know they have one until their doctor discovers it. These cases are usually very small hernias, although they can grow.

What Can Cause A Hernia?

Hernias can develop simply by doing something as harmless as lifting a heavy or large object. Aggressive coughing or straining during bowel movements can also put pressure on the abdominal wall leading to a hernia.

Being overweight or obese can be a risk factor for developing one, and then some people are just born with weak abdominal muscles that get weaker as they age.

Treatment For A Hernia

The only way to repair a hernia is through surgery. During the procedure, Michigan Hernia Surgery  pushes back the protruding organ into the abdomen and reinforces the weakened muscles.

When you have surgery and/or how long you wait is a choice you need to make with the proper information.

Some people can delay surgery for months or years and may never need treatment IF the hernia is small and there are no symptoms. This is especially true if the patient is a senior. In other instances, your physician may choose a “watch and wait” scenario guiding you about what to avoid in your daily life to prevent symptoms.

Others may find their hernia is growing, symptoms are increasing, and decide it’s best to get treatment before the hernia gets any worse or leads to complications. One such complication is strangulation when a loop of intestine or fatty tissue gets trapped inside the hernia and blood supply is cut off. This can become a life-threatening situation.

Knowing that your hernia will not go away on its own, it’s important to have an honest conversation with your physician about your choices so you can make an informed decision about having surgery now or waiting.