Do Hernias Ever Heal on Their Own?

There are many different types of hernias, but most have one thing in common — they don’t go away on their own. In brief, a hernia is a condition in which an organ or tissue pushes into an area where it doesn’t belong. This occurs because of a weakening or breach in the support tissue, which typically won’t resolve on its own.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a hernia, our team here at Rockwall Surgical Specialists has the expertise and experience necessary to, quite literally, put everything back in its place. Here’s a look at the different types of hernias and how our surgical experts can help you heal properly.

The main types of hernias

Hernias can develop in many different areas. The following are the most common types of hernias.

Inguinal hernias

Both men and women have inguinal canals in their groins, but an inguinal hernia is far more common in men thanks to anatomy. The male inguinal canal is where a man’s testes descend before birth, and it contains the spermatic cord and blood vessels. This canal is inherently weaker, which allows tissue to make its way through.

Femoral hernias

This type of hernia develops more often in women and occurs when tissue or part of your intestine pushes through into the groin near the top of the thigh.

Umbilical hernia

An umbilical hernia occurs when fatty tissue or a section of intestine pushes through the abdominal wall near your belly button.

Hiatal hernia

A hiatal hernia describes a condition in which a piece of the stomach makes its way through the diaphragm.

There are other, less common types of hernias, but these represent the majority of cases. In fact, inguinal and femoral hernias represent 75%-80% of all hernias.

Do hernias ever just go away?

Most of the hernias described above do not resolve themselves on their own, except for one notable exception — an umbilical hernia. These types of hernias often occur in newborns and most go away within the first five years of a child’s life.

For adults, a hernia is usually a condition that not only doesn’t heal on its own but can get progressively worse, which makes early intervention a good idea.

Treating your hernia

After we review your hernia, we decide upon a surgical approach. In most cases, we push the protruding tissue back into place and suture the breach. We may also place a mesh over the area for added strength.

If you have a larger hernia, we may need to reconstruct some of your muscles to prevent the condition from recurring.

To perform these relatively uncomplicated procedures, we turn to laparoscopic techniques, which means we only need to make very small incisions to do the work. This minimally invasive approach is designed to reduce both your risks and your recovery time.

The bottom line is that most adult hernias do require treatment, and we’re here to help. To get started, simply contact us to set up a consultation.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Recognizing the Signs of Gallbladder Disease

Your gallbladder is probably one of those organs you don’t really consider all that much, until it begins to make itself known due to a problem. When you have gallbladder disease, the symptoms are difficult to miss, and we review them here.

When Medications Can't Control Your Acid Reflux

Americans are no strangers to acid reflux, a condition that affects about 20% of the population. If medications and lifestyle changes are falling short of remedying your acid reflux, surgery may hold the key to relief.

What Causes Goiter and Does It Require Surgery?

When you have goiter, an abnormal enlargement of your thyroid gland, there are many different treatment possibilities — from hormone supplementation to surgery that removes all or part of the gland. Get answers to your goiter surgery questions here.

Who Should Have a Colonoscopy and How Often?

The ability to screen for a serious illness, such as colon cancer, is one preventive measure you shouldn’t pass up. Here’s a look at a few rules of thumb when it comes to scheduling your colonoscopy, a potentially life-saving procedure.

Myths and Facts About Weight Loss Surgery

You’re toying with the idea of weight loss surgery, but you have some concerns. Here, we look at a few of the common misconceptions about bariatric surgery to help you make an informed decision.

The Worst Foods for Your Gastrointestinal Health

Diarrhea, constipation, gas — these are just some of the unfortunate side effects of an unhealthy gut. If you want to avoid these uncomfortable issues, you’d do well to steer clear of certain foods.