Dangers of Hernias

Hernias happen when fatty tissues or organs breakthrough the fascia, or connective tissue, that surrounds your muscles. Inguinal, incisional, umbilical, and hiatal hernias are the most common types of hernias that doctors see.

Hernias are caused by a combination of pressure on a muscle and muscle weakness. For some, the muscle weakness is congenital. For others, it is something that develops later on in life. The pressure caused by an organ or tissue on the weak fascia allows the organ and tissue to push through, creating the hernia.

Pressure resulting hernias may be caused by:

• Constipation or diarrhea
• Chronic coughing or sneezing
• Lifting heavy objects improperly

Why Are Hernias Dangerous?

Every year, more than a million hernia repair surgeries are performed. There are countless individuals living with a hernia who do not get the needed medical care.

Pain is the most common symptom of a hernia. If it is not properly treated, a hernia can reach the point where the herniated material cannot be pushed back into the abdomen. With time, the material can become strangulated and have its blood supply compromised, which in extreme cases can lead to tissue infection and tissue death.

If the hernia contains a loop of intestines, there is the risk of bowel obstruction. If not treated, this can lead to serious long-term health complications.

The medical community has recently reevaluated its approach to treating hernias. They have gone from an approach that required repairing the hernia as soon as it was discovered to a wait and see approach. If the hernia becomes painful or limits an individual’s ability to engage in daily activities, then surgery is recommended.

Now, the goal is to balance the potential danger of the hernia with the potential for complications from the surgery. It’s estimated that around 10 percent of people who have a hernia repaired are left with pain and discomfort.

When Surgery Is the Option

When your surgeon feels that surgery is required, they may use a surgical mesh. It has the potential to create the best long-term outcome in a number of situations. The mesh, which is a loosely woven sheet that is flexible, is used to provide additional strength to the area of weakness that allowed the hernia. The idea is to plug up the hole as opposed to simply stitching it closed.

The advantage of using mesh is that the tension that’s created during the repair is spread over a larger portion of the abdominal wall. This gives the patient better mobility following the surgery.

There are notable downsides to using mesh. A defective hernia mesh can increase the risk of infection. Other adverse medical responses to hernia mesh include perforation, obstruction, and pain. Hernia mesh has been linked to abnormal connections between organs, blood vessels, and intestines. It has also been linked to a dangerous buildup of fluid around the surgical site. As a result, a number of surgical mesh products have been recalled by the FDA.

Although you may not be currently dealing with a hernia, it is good for you to be aware of how hernias form, the treatment options that are available, and potential complications. With close to a million hernia repairs being performed every single year in the United States, it is likely that you or someone you know will develop a hernia and need to make decisions on what course of treatment to follow.