A hernia is when an internal organ or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle wall that surrounds it, usually in the abdomen or groin. All hernias are like this, but doctors divide them into reducible and irreducible, depending on how the bulge behaves. Depending on the type you may need medical attention right away.
What is a reducible hernia?
A reducible hernia is one in which the protruding tissue slides back into the abdominal cavity on its own or can be pushed back in gently with hand pressure. The bulge is usually present when you cough, lift, or strain and disappear when you lie down or rest. This form is usually not an emergency but does need to be assessed. The weak part of the muscle often gets wider over time, and the hernia can get bigger or more difficult to push back in.
What Is an Inoperable Hernia?
If a hernia is irreducible, or incarcerated, the tissue that bulges through the opening is stuck and can’t be pushed back in. This can happen from swelling, scar tissue, or the tissue growing out of the space it slipped through. The real danger is strangulation, which occurs when blood supply is lost to a trapped section of a bowel or tissue. Once strangulation has occurred, tissue may be damaged within hours, and the disease is a surgical emergency.
Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
If you have a hernia bulge that won’t go back in, and one or more of the following, get medical attention right away:
- Pain that is sudden or worsens at the bulge
- Overlying skin becomes reddish, warm, discolored
- Nausea, vomiting, or having a fever
- Difficulty passing gas or stool
When to See a Specialist
A hernia will not get better by itself, and typically gets worse with time, so delaying treatment is seldom to your advantage. Visiting a qualified hernia doctor in Indore in time helps in identifying the problem when it is still reducible and can be repaired later with a planned and low-risk operation rather than an emergency operation later.
The basic difference is this: A reducible hernia will go back into place, while an irreducible hernia remains trapped and can compromise the blood supply to the tissue involved. If you detect a bulge that acts abnormally or no longer flattens, seek the advice of an experienced specialist for a detailed examination and the appropriate treatment plan.
