Hernia
How serious is a hernia? Do I really need surgery?
What happens if a hernia is left untreated?
If hernia left untreated, the hernia contents can strangle. This may affect any of the structures that are within the hernia, fat, bowel or urinary bladder. Strangulated hernia can lead to life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis (severe inflammation and gangrene of intestine) and sepsis. Since hernias can happen to anyone at any age, knowing warning signs of hernias and being aware of them are essential.
What is the main cause of hernia?
In general, a hernia starts with pressure on the body wall by an organ or your intestines. A hernia forms when this pressure happens in the same area as a weakened muscle or tissue. Some people are born with weak muscles or tissue that isn't fully developed. However, most people get hernias as their bodies age and their muscles weaken with repeated heavy lifting, rapid weight gain or scar from previous surgery or trauma.
Can you live with a hernia without surgery?
Hernias don't go away on their own. Only surgery can repair a hernia. Many people can delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia. Strangulation can happen suddenly and unpredictably.
Open hernia repair is a major surgery that's performed with the aid of general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia and sedation. Keyhole surgery to repair hernia is the gold standard as it has a faster recovery, less pain and less complication.