What is a Strangulated Hernia?

Posted on February 20 2019

A hernia will be called strangulated hernia when the blood supply to the herniated tissue is cut off. Any hernia can get strangulated.

It’s a life-threatening medical condition, wherein a fatty tissue or a part of the small intestine will squeeze through a weakened region of the abdominal muscle. Due to this, the surrounding muscle will clamp down around the herniated tissue, thereby, cutting off the blood flow to your small intestine. This type of strangulation of the small intestine can lead to the following problems:

  • Intestinal perforation
  • Shock
  • Gangrene or death of the protruding tissue

Symptoms of a Strangulated Hernia:

Unlike other hernia types, a strangulated hernia will cause a range of severe symptoms. One of the most obvious indications of a strangulated hernia is a visible bulge in the abdomen or groin. Other symptoms of a strangulated hernia include:

  • Acute pain
  • Bloody stools
  • Reddening of the skin above the hernia
  • Constipation
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Difficulty passing gas
  • Inflammation and tenderness around the hernia
  • Increased heart rates
  • Nausea and vomiting

Diagnosis and Treatment:

The diagnosis of a strangulated hernia will usually be done in the emergency rooms and oftentimes, it’s easy to diagnose just with visual inspection and the symptoms. Doctors can also use imaging tests to see if the hernia is blocking the patient's’ bowels.

When it comes to treatment, a strangulated hernia must be treated surgically as immediately as possible to prevent serious harm to the patient's’ body and/or permanent damage to their tissues.