Hernias do not get healed on their own. A hernia happens when internal organs or fatty tissue push through a weak area in the body. To prevent future herniation, the protruding parts need to be repositioned, and the weak spot must be reinforced, which requires surgical intervention. Hernias cannot heal on their own and need surgery for full repair.
Hernia symptoms however can be managed through medications, lifestyle modifications, and other practices.
Do Hernias Ever Just Go Away?
Unfortunately, hernias do not go away on their own, and attempting to reduce a hernia to avoid surgery is not possible. Once a hernia forms, the only way to fix it is through surgery. Since hernias involve the tearing of muscle walls and displacement of body parts, medications alone cannot rectify the condition.
It is essential to confirm hernia diagnosis with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action. Hernias that cause mild discomfort can be managed without surgery as long as they don’t develop complications. However, they will not be completely cured or resolve spontaneously.
Are There Any Nonsurgical Treatments for Hernias?
Complete repairing of the hernia requires surgical intervention. However, if the situation demands and when you are unable to undertake a hernia repair surgery like in the case of incisional hernias below the arcuate line, you can adopt a corset repair technique.
In this method, a hernia belt, commonly referred to as a truss, is recommended to be worn beneath your clothing. The truss applies pressure on the area of the hernia defect, forcing the herniated parts to return from their displaced position.
A hernia belt or truss does not guarantee complete repair of the hernia. You can use it only when you are highly unable to undertake a hernia surgery.
Temporary Hernia Treatments
You can find temporary relief from hernia ailments through certain lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and massages.
Some of the temporary hernia treatments include:
- Quitting smoking and alcohol
- Eating liquid-based and mashed foods
- Avoiding spicy, acidic, caffeine, and nicotine-based products of consumption
- Preferring warm or cold foods over hot foods
- Applying proper massage in the herniated region
- Not going to bed immediately after consuming food
- Sleeping by keeping the head in an elevated position
- Taking medications prescribed by a hernia specialist to address the hernia side effects
- Avoiding over-the-counter medications
You can consult your hernia specialist regarding temporary solutions to your hernia as well. But, these tips can only get you so far. It’s a good idea to consider hernia repair surgery before the condition worsens or becomes more complicated.
What Happens if You Do Not Get Your Hernia Fixed?
If you don’t get your hernia treated, you’ll have to live with it for the rest of your life.
Hernia repair is often strongly recommended because hernias tend to become complicated rather quickly in many cases.. A complicated hernia can turn fatal to a person’s life.
Hernia complications include strangulation, incarceration, and obstruction. These hernia complications can cause the herniated body parts to get stuck inside the hernia sac, get twisted, or cause the ceasing of blood flow to them. In such circumstances, the hernia would turn fatal to the patient.
Thus a complicated hernia must be treated as soon as possible. However, it is better and advisable to treat a hernia before it gets complicated.
Conclusion
Treating a hernia through home remedies or lifestyle modifications has its own limits. A hernia cannot be completely cured through such self-treatments or medications.
A complicated hernia is not a preferable situation. So avoid any serious risks to your health, it’s strongly advised to have hernia surgery.
Consult a hernia specialist as soon as you detect a hernia and get the right treatment.
To know more about treating hernias and hernias getting healed on their own, consult a hernia specialist.
FAQs
A hernia can go untreated as long as it does not cause any complications. The prognosis or prediction of a hernia cannot be determined. So it is better to treat a hernia as soon as possible
It is highly impossible to fix a hernia without surgery. You can take treatments to counter the side effects of a hernia. But to completely repair a hernia you will require a hernia repair surgery.
Truss or hernia belts can help push the contents of a hernia back to its place. You can also apply a gentle massage under proper guidance on the hernia region to send the herniated parts back to their place.
