Why You Shouldn't Ignore Your Hernia Symptoms

If you notice a protrusion or a painful lump under your skin near your groin or abdomen area, you might have a hernia. You should never ignore signs of a hernia for several reasons, which we’ll talk about in this post.

We’re a team of hernia repair specialists here at Eastside Bariatric & General Surgery in Snellville, Georgia. When you visit our practice for an evaluation, our bariatric and general surgeon, Dr. Aliu O. Sanni, assesses your condition, determines your diagnosis, and offers an effective treatment plan, as needed.

Symptoms you shouldn’t ignore

Your abdomen has muscle, connective tissue, and fat that are layered over your internal organs as protection. If any of the layers weaken, shifting can occur, causing them to push through a compromised area, which causes a bulge. This is called a hernia.

Over time, the hernia can increase or decrease in strength.

Symptoms to watch for include:

• Bulging lump on either side of your pubic bone
• Aching or burning at the site
• Pain in your groin, especially when bending over, lifting, or coughing
• Weakness in your groin

Men can develop swelling in their testicles if the protruding intestine goes down into the scrotum.

When to see a doctor

In addition to noticing an out-of-the-norm bulge, plus aching or pain, you can have other alarming symptoms that require medical attention, as well. They include:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sudden and intensified pain
• Hernia color change (to red, purple, or dark)
• Difficulty with passing gas or having a bowel movement

We can provide a thorough evaluation and determine your next steps for treatment.

Complications that can develop

Though hernias don’t go away on their own, small hernias may not cause problems. Nonsurgical treatments like wearing a corset or binder to hold it in place can provide comfort, but won’t heal your hernia. Yet, we can always treat your hernia effectively with surgery.

If you ignore your symptoms, the hernia can cause pain during physical activity, in addition to the issues listed above. More serious complications that can occur include intestinal blockage, hernia incarceration, or hernia strangulation.

All three of these medical conditions require surgery. Avoid a medical emergency by getting treatment before major complications occur.

Treatment options

At Eastside Bariatric & General Surgery, we provide comprehensive hernia repair surgery. As robotic surgery specialists, we offer minimally invasive techniques using the da Vinci robotic surgery system. We can repair your hernia and close the weakened area to prevent additional hernias in the future.

If you have concerns that you might have a hernia, don’t delay making an appointment with Dr. Sanni and our team. Simply call our friendly office staff today at 201-565-0876 or request your visit online.