Hernias don’t go away on their own. Only surgical intervention can repair a hernia. Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia.
A hernia occurs when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall. A hernia usually develops between your chest and hips. In many cases, it causes no symptoms, although you may notice a swelling or lump in your tummy (abdomen) or groin.
The lump can often be pushed back in or disappears when you lie down. Coughing or straining may make the lump appear.
When to seek medical advice
See your family GP if you think you have a hernia. They may refer you to hospital or Apple Surgical Clinic in Manchester for surgical treatment, if necessary.
You should go your nearest NHS A&E straight away if you have a hernia and you develop any of the following symptoms:
sudden, severe pain
being sick
difficulty pooing or passing wind
the hernia becomes firm or tender, or cannot be pushed back in
These symptoms could mean that either:
the blood supply to a section of organ or tissue trapped in the hernia has become cut off (strangulation)
a piece of bowel has entered the hernia and become blocked (obstruction)
A strangulated hernia and obstructed bowel are medical emergencies and need to be treated as soon as possible.
Assessing a hernia
Your family GP will usually be able to identify a hernia by examining the affected area. In some cases, they may refer you to a nearby NHS hospital or to Apple Surgical Clinic for an assessment. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, this will determine whether surgery to repair the hernia is necessary.
Apple Surgical Clinic provide advanced laparoscopic technology that allows us to efficiently perform hernia repair through key-hole incisions minimising blood loss, wound infections and other wound problems, and improves recovery time. Patients are often allowed home the same day of surgery in majority of our patients.
If you suspect that you have a hernia that is causing you discomfort then you should see your family GP or specialist surgeon for an assessment. Even if you are not experiencing symptoms, but suspect you may have a hernia, visiting your doctor or a qualified surgeon will help put your mind at ease.
