Obstructed and Strangulated Hernia
Occasionally the contents of a hernia can become stuck or Obstructed in a hernia defect. A hernia can be obstructed with just fatty contents or with bowel contents. This can cause the hernia to become sore, swollen, inflamed or tense. It can cause the bowel to become blocked resulting in a bowel obstruction. This causes abdominal pain, distension, nausea and vomiting. Less commonly the bowel in a hernia can lose its blood supply. This is a Strangulated hernia and can result in the bowel dying if it is not corrected urgently.
Symptoms of an Obstructed or Strangulated Hernia
These complications cause abdominal pain, distension, nausea and vomiting. Rapidly progressing symptoms, swelling, redness or blackening of the skin are all indicators that the bowel is losing blood supply.
What should I do if I have these symptoms?
These complications are rare but serious and often require urgent surgery. You should contact the ambulance service on 000 and/or present to the emergency department of your local hospital. If you are known to a Hernia Surgeon, you should contact their rooms, but this should not stop you presenting to a hospital for urgent surgical care.