How Do You Know If You Have a Hernia? Can You Die from It?

Do you have insurance? It sounds like your doctor wants you to be diagnosed with a hernia before the insurance will pay for the surgery, are you on state aid?

It depends on the type of hernia... google it and read up on them. If your intestine strangulates you'll definitely know it and have to have emergency surgery. My dad has an inguinal right now and wearing a hernia belt because he's so afraid of the knife. I'm waiting for that emergency call unfortunately.

There are MANY types of Hernias.

Yes, you can die from it... IF the Hernia "strangulates." That means, that the organ(s) that are sticking out of the Hernia... is getting squeezed and suffocated... hence it can gangrene and you can lose, that organ etc., or if not gotten into emergency surgery quick enough... a person's life, can be put into jeopardy.

How do I know?
Well, my daughter at 7 years old, had Hernia Surgery. This is what our Surgeon told us.
He has a son, who had a hernia as well. And one day he got an EMERGENCY call, that his son was being flown into the hospital, because his Hernia was strangulating. This is something that comes on suddenly. The Surgeon said, that in instances like that, you basically have 2 hours, to get into surgery and correct it/save that organ. Or you can lose it or the person can gangrene as well etc.

Anyway, there are many types of Hernias.
My daughter had a "Inguinal Hernia" and the 'bulge' of the Hernia... is actually the internal organ, sticking out of it.
In my daughter's case, it even was probably the Ovary.

You have to see a Specialist/Surgeon.
My daughter saw a Pediatric Surgeon, who only specializes in Hernias.

Some say, a Hernia is nothing and will go away by itself.
Not always true.
And you cannot predict, if it will get worse, or strangulate or just close up. BUT if a Hernia closes up on its own... IF an organ is sticking out of that hole... then the Hernia hole can close up, still, and the organ will strangulate.

Reading your "so what happened" and, nope, if you have a hernia, it very likely could be causing you no pain whatsoever. So, definitely don't base it off of that. From your description of when you're laying down and go to sit up, it sounds like a hernia to me. Do you have much of a muscle spacing in your belly? Like if you lay on the flat ground with your knees bent, feet flat, and if you place your fingers at your belly button, lifting your head very, very slightly...just enough to feel the sides of your belly muscles, is there much of a spacing between your muscles? How many fingers can you fit in that space (and don't over tighten your belly muscles, just gently lift your head until you feel feel the edges of your muscles).

I was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia about 10 weeks ago. I had had it for a long time prior, but I never realized it. I have a large muscle spacing when not prego - close to 4 fingers. I'm healthy and in shape, but I had a huge 10 lb 11oz baby, and it really stretched out the belly muscles (when it gets that bad, no exercises can fix it!). At the time, I was about 28 weeks prego (I'm now 37.5 weeks).

Anyway, I found out I had a hernia because one day it started hurting. It literally felt like I was being stabbed in my belly button (at least it seemed ot feel that way, as I've never been stabbed in my belly button). I couldn't move, couldn't speak, could hardly breath because the pain was so intense. Of course, my 3 and 4 yr old decided to have a fight and chase each other around like crazy kids at that exact moment, and I couldn't do one thing. I could barely breath words out to them to ask them to calm down. But they couldn't hear me.

It was very intense pain. It lasted for about 30 minutes maybe? I thought I was going to have to call 911 and get to the hospital because the pain was so severe. I called my dr and got in a day or two later and was diagnosed with an umblicial hernia. Luckily it has not done it again!

I'm due in 1.5 weeks. I'll be having a c-section and my doctor will fix the hernia and also attempt to fix the muscles so that the hernia doesn't return. The muscle repair she is unsure how successful that will be due to the fact I'll have just given birth and my belly won't be back to non-pregnant state yet (she said it's hit or miss with it). But she'll give it a try. She said she'll see me again in 6-8 weeks after I have the baby. If the muscles aren't fixed like she wants, then she'll refer me to a plastic surgeon for the muscle repair. It'll be covered under insurance since it's a medical necessity due to the hernia. It sounds like she has some plastic surgeons that are for sure covered by our insurance.

Anyway, oh, and yes, in rare cases, you can die from a hernia. I think it's important to get fixed! And, if your muscles are messed up, be sure to fix those too, as it can come back if those muscles aren't fixed. Hopefully your doctor will know some plastic surgeons that will be covered by your insurance due to medical necessity. My doctor made it very clear that our insurance would cover the cost...I hope that's your case!

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Okay - first take a deep breath...

yes, IT IS RARE, but you can die from a hernia - it can get infected, gangrene, intestinal perforation and shock.

A hernia is a split in the wall (muscle) of the abdominal cavity and an organ can protrude through...you can see the "buldge"

Instead of just talking to the doctor's GO SEE the doctor and get informed as well as educated...don't panic until a doctor tells you it is bad!

GOOD LUCK!!

Hi Molly,

Some women will develop a weakening of the rectus abdomini muscles in the abdomen during pregnancy, which can be seen if your belly button "pops up" when sitting up, or if your lower abdomen seems to bulge in a kind of pyramid shape when sitting up. It does not necessarily mean you have a hernia, though, which is an actual separation of the muscles. You should definitely go see your primary care doctor or gynecologist to get it checked out if you're concerned. At the very best, you get peace of mind. At the "worst", you get to have your tummy tuck covered by insurance.

And yes, hernias can strangulate, which is an emergency, but, as others have told you, is rare. If this happens, you'll KNOW there's something seriously wrong, as you'll have severe pain, will feel sweaty and "shocky", and, if the herniation is intestinal, will have nausea and vomiting. Again, if you're concerned, stop worrying and get it checked out. As with all things related to human health, it is much easier to deal with problems (if there are any) early, than when they become emergent.

My dad has a hernia right now that he is scheduling a surgery for, and if he strains himself he is in tremendous pain. It's a great idea to have it checked out, but since you are not complaining of pain, I would think that it's not life-threatening now.