WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
A hernia (HER-nee-uh) develops when a part of your inner
organs pushes through a hole or a weak part of a nearby muscle.
There is swelling or a lump at the place where this occurs.
Most hernias are in the belly or groin.
Causes
The weak area or hole in the
muscle wall may have been present since birth. The weakness can
also develop in later life as a result of surgery, straining at
bowel movements, or just getting older. Pregnancy, coughing
hard, or excess weight can also lead to a hernia.
Signs/Symptoms
Typically, there is a swelling or
lump in the abdomen or groin that sometimes hurts. The lump
usually disappears when you lie down or gently push on it.
There may be painful swelling in the area of the testicles. You
may have a hard time moving your bowels. Vomiting is a
rare--but dangerous--sign.
Care
You may be given something to
wear to keep the lump from pushing out, or you may need surgery
to fix the problem. You can use over-the-counter pain-killers
for minor pain.
Risks
Without treatment, the hernia
could become strangulated (lose its blood supply). This can
cause a blockage in the intestines that produces fever and
vomiting, and may even prove fatal.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
You do not need to rest in bed. You may continue your
normal activities; but avoid heavy lifting or straining.
Cough gently.
-
Don't wear anything tight over the hernia. Don't try
to keep it in with an outside bandage or truss unless your
doctor recommends it.
-
You may eat a normal diet. Try to get plenty of fiber
(fruits, vegetables, and grains). This will promote easier
bowel movements.
-
Check with your doctor before taking any new
medicine.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You have a high temperature.
-
You have bad pain in the area of the
hernia.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
You have symptoms of a strangulated (trapped)
hernia:
-
A high temperature.
-
Increasing abdominal pain.
-
Nausea and throwing up.
-
The hernia becomes stuck outside the belly, looks
gray, and feels hard.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature,
blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and
respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
Pulse Oximeter: While you are getting oxygen, you
may be hooked up to a pulse oximeter (ox-IM-uh-ter). It is
placed on your ear, finger, or toe and is connected to a
machine that measures the oxygen in your
blood.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or
from the bend in your elbow. Tests will be done on the
blood.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an
electrocardiograph (e-lec-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG. The
patches on your chest are hooked up to a TV-type screen or
a small portable box (telemetry unit). This screen shows a
tracing of each heartbeat. Your heart will be watched for
signs of injury or damage that could be related to your
illness.
-
Oxygen: Your body may need extra oxygen at this
time. It is given either by a mask or nasal prongs. Tell
your doctor if the oxygen is drying out your nose or if the
nasal prongs bother you.
-
Activity: You may need to rest in bed. Once you are
feeling better, you will be allowed to get
up.
-
Pain Medicine: May be given in your IV, as a shot,
or by mouth. If the pain does not go away or comes back,
tell a doctor right away.
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