Trauma and Aggravation of Pre-Existing Hernias
A hernia is one of the most common medical issues for which people might need both elective and emergent medical care. According to a recent study published by My VMC:
- About 4 percent of infants are born with hernias, with the most common locations being in the groin and around their belly button.
- The most common hernia in adults is an inguinal hernia, which occurs in the groin.
- The second-most common type of a hernia is an incisional hernia, which develops following a penetrating wound.
- Inguinal hernias occur ten times more commonly in males than in females.
- Femoral and paraumbilical hernias are more common in females than in males.
Hernias can be incredibly painful or entirely asymptomatic. Some hernias reduce on their own while others might require surgery to correct.
What is a Hernia?
A hernia is a bulge of an organ through an abnormal opening. Some of the most common hernias include:
- The protrusion of an abdominal organ through the muscular wall.
- Protruding intestines into the groin area.
- Swelling around the belly button that indicates a hernia protruding through this location.
Ultimately, hernias can be hard to evaluate, and every swelling could potentially be a hernia. For this reason, hernias are classified in several ways to help both medical professionals and the patient understand what is happening
How are Hernias Classified?
Hernias are classified in several ways. However, the most crucial method of organization is based on their severity. There are three different levels of severity when it comes to hernias. These include:
Elective: An elective hernia is painless and is able to be pushed back inside of the muscular wall through which it is protruding. While these might be aesthetically displeasing, they are not emergent if they are reducible and painless.
Urgent: An urgent hernia is painless but is not able to be reduced back behind the muscular wall through which it is protruding. These individuals need to have their hernia repaired as quickly as possible because it could progress to the next level.
Emergent: Also called an incarcerated or a strangulated hernia, this is a medical emergency. This hernia is not able to be reduced and is very painful, indicating that the hernia pouch is choked off. The tissues within the pouch have been deprived of their blood flow and are starting to die. This is an emergency.
Trauma Can Make Hernias Worse
One of the ways that hernias can be made worse is through trauma. When people are involved in an auto accident, their hernia can worsen. Additional abdominal trauma can damage the integrity of the muscular wall further. This can enlarge a hernia. When a hernia gets larger, it has a higher chance of getting stuck outside of the muscular wall. This also makes a hernia more likely to become incarcerated or strangulated, necessitating emergent surgery. In some cases, if the tissue is already dead, it might need to be surgically removed. This can create some significant quality of life issues for not only the individual but also their loved ones.
Watch YouTube Video: Hernia Symptoms – When Should You Be Worried? In this video, Dr. Buck Parker explains when to recognize a pain that determines whether you should go lay down or go to the emergency room.
Contacting a Personal Injury Law Firm
A hernia is one of the most common medical problems. However, they also need to be evaluated quickly by a medical professional. Particularly after an auto accident, an elective hernia could become a medical emergency. After seeking medical care, it is helpful to meet with a personal injury attorney in Sacramento. An injury lawyer can help families:
- Take a look at the records of the accident to make sure that all factors are appropriately considered.
- Negotiate with the insurance company to make sure that an individual receives the maximum payout possible.
- Take a case to the court system, if required.
Most importantly, no family should ever feel like they are alone after a serious accident takes place. A helping hand is always available. Take a few minutes to speak with an injury lawyer. You and your family could be deserving of a financial reward.
Sacramento Personal Injury Attorneys
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney. When someone has an existing hernia and is involved in a traumatic accident, his or her medical issues can worsen. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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Trauma and Aggravation of Pre-Existing Hernias: AutoAccident.com
Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/ Trauma and Aggravation of Pre-Existing Hernias.
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