Your muscles hold your organs in place. These muscles can sometimes become weaker or protrude through the wall of muscle, causing what’s called a hernia. Your first step should be to make an appointment with your doctor if you suspect that you may have a hernia. Because hernias are not going away by themselves, it is crucial to see a qualified physician or specialist in hernias who can assess your case and create a customized treatment plan. So, should you get a hernia treated?
Should I Get a Hernia Treated?
Hernia treatment can be done at the office of your local gastroenterologist in Los Angeles by using a variety of top-tier techniques and procedures. If you’ve ever wondered, “Should I have a hernia treated?” then this is the article for you. Keep reading to learn about recognizable symptoms of hernias and the most viable treatment options available.
Understand the Most Common Hernia Symptoms
You can get treatment faster if you recognize the symptoms early enough. It is a smart idea to have your hernia treated before it becomes a bigger problem, which could be fatal later down the line. A hernia is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Bulge or lump in the intestine area
- Pain or discomfort in the abdomen
- Heartburn that is too severe
- Trouble swallowing
- The lump disappears when you lie down
- Coughing
- Chest pain
Some hernias may not present with any symptoms. Regular visits to your gastroenterologist are important to ensure that your intestines function properly and that no signs of a hernia are present.
Is Surgery Necessary for a Hernia?
Sometimes surgery is not necessary if the hernia doesn’t grow or causes no pain. It is important to remember that hernias can grow larger most of the time, which is why surgery is a common treatment option. It may not cause any problems right now, but it’s very possible that it will lead to more severe complications later.
Hernia Treatment Options
Most hernias do not heal on their own. Surgery may end up required to correct them. Your doctor will recommend the best treatment for your hernia and may refer to a surgeon. The surgeon may recommend that you have your hernia repaired if it is necessary.
Therefore, there are two main options.
Open hernia operation.
The surgeon cuts in the groin to view the hernia and repairs it. The surgeon can use stitches alone, or a combination of stitches and mesh to repair the abdominal wall. There is a mesh-like substance that covers the area to strengthen the surrounding tissue, aiding in quick recovery.
Laparoscopic hernia surgery.
The surgeon will make several small cuts to the abdomen using a special knife. Next, they insert very small tools into the incisions. A laparoscopic camera helps perform most of the surgery. To strengthen and close the abdominal wall, the surgeon will typically use a mesh piece. Robotic repair is an option for some surgeons. This means that they can control robotic arms from a console and perform the surgery.
Your doctor might suggest other treatment options to reduce or eliminate your hernia. Still, surgery may prove required in severe cases or if the hernia stays too large to ignore. Even if your hernia remains small or you don’t feel any symptoms, you should regularly check up on its status and come up with a long-term treatment plan for better peace of mind.
Avoid and Eliminate Hernias Today
It is important to take precautions to avoid developing hernias, although some hernias are not preventable. They can come from poor diet, excessive exercise, or even a traumatic injury. There remain many things that you can do to prevent certain types of hernias. Still, it stays important to keep in touch with your local gastroenterologist no matter what. Learn more about the best options for hernia treatment in Los Angeles when you get in touch with Dr. Tabib and his team of experts ASAP!
