We get it. Life gets busy, and there are times when you’re facing a never ending to-do list that seems to just keep growing longer. It’s easy to put your health needs at the bottom of that list, but doing so could lead to complications, especially when it comes to hernias.
Scott A. deVilleneuve, MD, and our team at Surgical Associates of North Texas offer outstanding care for all types of hernias. We can repair your hernia and dramatically reduce your risk of complications, allowing you to continue checking things off that to-do list.
Today, let’s talk about why it’s so important to have a medical professional assess and treat hernias, even when they aren’t causing symptoms.
A hernia develops when one of your organs begins pushing out of the tissue or muscles that normally contain it. Most happen when an organ in your abdominal cavity begins bulging out of a weak spot in the muscle walls surrounding your abdomen, but hernias can also develop in your inner thigh, groin, or perianal area.
Hernias often create a bulge that you can see and feel. Some are larger than others, and it is sometimes possible to gently push the tissue back into place with your hands (although it will almost certainly return over time).
Hernias can happen suddenly when you perform a task like lifting a heavy object or squatting down. They can also happen after surgery creates an opening in your muscle wall, during pregnancy, or as a result of straining when trying to pass a bowel movement.
Most hernias are not dangerous, but they can become stuck in the bulging position, which can cause problems to develop relatively quickly. This is called an incarcerated hernia, and if that trapped tissue doesn’t have access to sufficient blood supply, it can become strangulated, and tissue death can be the end result.
While most hernias are not painful, some do cause discomfort or pain. Hernias can also grow larger if left untreated, which can increase the risk of complications and make treatment more challenging.
Hernias will not reverse themselves, so you need treatment to reposition the affected tissue and close the opening that allowed displacement in the first place. This requires a surgical hernia repair.
Many hernias can be repaired with relatively simple surgical procedures. Minimally invasive surgery is often a good fit for hernia repair and means a lower risk of complications and faster healing times.
Almost all of the procedures use a special surgical mesh to reinforce the repaired area and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Most hernias don’t require treatment right away, which is why it’s tempting to ignore them. But if complications do develop, they can grow worse quickly, at which point you won’t have much choice in the matter.
Taking care of hernias before they’ve become an emergency allows you to schedule the procedure at a time that’s better for you. You can plan ahead to take some time off from work and have friends and family help you out around the house or with child care or pet care.
If you think you have a hernia and you’re unsure how to proceed, begin by booking a visit at Surgical Associates of North Texas in McKinney, Texas. We can let you know if your hernia needs surgical repair and advise you on what to expect if you decide to move forward with the procedure.
Online booking is one option, but you’re always welcome to give us a call to discuss scheduling options.
