If you’ve been diagnosed with a hernia, you may wonder about the right time to seek treatment. The proper answer depends upon several factors.
In adults, hernias may cause different symptoms. You may experience heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). You may see a lump that goes away with minimal pressure or when you’re lying down. You may experience pain when you lift heavy objects or when you’re having a bowel movement. In rarer instances, hernias may cause nausea or vomiting.
Knowing when to seek treatment involves understanding your symptoms and learning more about your hernia. A physician may ask you to get an ultrasound or CT scan to determine the size and location of a hernia. You may also be prescribed an X-ray if your hernia is causing a bowel blockage.
The best way to know is to see a specialist. The only treatment for hernia is surgery. At Grand View Health, surgeon Michael Fishman, MD, evaluates and treats hernias. He performs minimally invasive (small-scar) and traditional hernia surgeries. He’s been named a 2019 Top Doctor by Philadelphia Magazine.
Learn more at our free hernia event on June 18.