Hernia Misconceptions and Myths

Commonly overlooked and misunderstood, hernias are tears in the abdominal wall which allow intestines to push through the hole. This muscle wall extends from the rib-cage to the groin, allowing for a range of various types of hernias. Each can cause severe health concerns and require specialist attention.

At Surgical Associates of Houston, we repair all types of hernias with minimally invasive techniques. As a leading surgical team, we offer robot-assisted laparoscopic surgeries, treating hernias without causing the damage of traditional surgeries. As we emphasize patient education, we want to debunk the myths and dispel inaccurate information about hernias:

Hernias Are Obvious

There’s a reason why your doctor checks for hernias at every health exam: some hernias do not cause pain, are not noticed, or considered as a cause of abdominal discomfort. It’s easy to correlate abdominal pain to a stomachache, or consider it as a side-effect of working out or aging. Pain is the body’s way of communicating that something is wrong, and in the case of hernias, paying attention can save you from tearing the muscle further. Consider these common symptoms as a mental checklist:

• Abdominal or Groin Tenderness
• Bulge or Swelling Near Pubic Bone
• Burning or Aching Sensation
• Dull Pain in the Abdomen
• Nausea / Vomiting
• Inability to Move Bowels or Pass Gas
• Hernias Heal on their Own

They do not go away without medical care. The intestines, which are the source of the bulge, cannot move themselves back into place, permitting the muscle wall to heal itself. Since many hernias cause little to no discomfort over time, the initial pain of tearing the muscle is the only indicator that anything is wrong. This gives people the impression that the issue is gone.

Self-healing techniques are also a poor way of treating the problem, especially if it involves exercise. Further strain on the area will cause more damage, resulting in severe health problems. Surgery is the best way to treat hernias. Although this sounds extreme, hernias are a common procedure for general surgeons. They understand how to efficiently restore the tissues and help you recover. Without this expert assistance, you will be limited in physical activity and only experience additional discomfort as time goes on.

Hernias Can Only Happen Once

Even when proper care is administered, patients should be careful not to strain the area again. Oftentimes, the muscle wall does not heal to its full strength – which is why mesh is used to strengthen it. Even so, patients suffer repeat hernias, often due to exercising too soon after surgery. It’s crucial to follow recovery guidelines and have your doctor determine that healing has completed before resuming full physical activity.

Contact Dr. Zhen Fan for Expert Hernia Repair

Dr. Fan and our team take pride in offering the latest and most effective surgical treatments for hernias. Our passion for minimally-invasive care fulfills our mission of restoring patients to total health, quickly. We have offices in Bellaire and Memorial City, each equipped with advanced technology and offering a compassionate patient experience. Contact us if you are referring a patient for Hernia repair in Houston, or if you want to directly schedule an appointment with Dr. Fan.