I am a 49 year old male. I have a navel hernia. I have no associated pain. How long can this condition go untreated? I am not insured and cannot afford an operation. What should I do?

Hello DannyS

We are not sure that this is what you mean?

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Edited by: Staff/WeilForums on Sep 20, 2008 2:05:25 PM

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Hi there,

I'm not sure that's what you're  talking about.   It sounds like you're  talking about an abdominal wall hernia near the navel-- possible umbilical hernia?.  My brother and two sisters had an abdominal hernia,  my mother had it,  my father had it.    It's fairly common.  My sister just had her surgery a short time ago after walking around with it for 2 years.  My father also walked around with his for a couple years before having it taken care of.  I think it depends on your individual situation.   In some cases they can be pushed back in to reduce them by your doctor.   If you haven't had it diagnosed as a hernia,  that's the place to start--  Make sure it is in fact a hernia.    My family members were told surgery is the only cure for an abdominal hernia.  Basically in this type of hernia, your intestines pop through a weakened part of your abdominal muscle, and stick out.  If your hernia starts to grow, or you experience other symptoms, this is going to be a problem that will need to be taken care of sooner rather than later.   The surgery is relatively simple, and  usually done in a day--- in and out. During the time she did not have surgery, my sister was told to not strain to go to the bathroom,  do no lifting, and may want to wear a support truss.    This problem can become an emergency situation if your intestines become strangulated to where the blood supply is cut off.  If the hernia does not push in,  or go in when you lay down,  this is the time to definitely see your doctor.   Certainly if it becomes an emergency situation, go straight to an emergency room, and don't worry about the money until later.  Worry about your life instead.   When you have other symptoms, believe me, you'll know it.  It's horrible that anyone even has to worry about the money part of health care, and hopefully we'll have some kind of national solution for that sometime within  the next year and a half.   I'm also among the uninsured, so I know your sense of worry.

My mother developed a clostridium difficile-- bacterial  infection in the hospital after her hernia operation.  If you do go for surgery eventually,  I strongly advise looking into taking probiotics immediately after your surgery,  and make sure you tell the doctor about your concern about them using some of the broad spectrum antibiotics that most often lead to a c. diff. infection after surgeries.   When I was studying this 3 or 4 years ago,  the statistics said  about 1 in 5 people hospitalized end up with a c. diff.  infection from the hospital.   But according to news reports I've seen since then, this bacteria is becoming more dangerous.  So it's a good idea to mention it.  There's no reason for a 1 day operation to turn into a long-term hospital stay, with a little prevention.

(I"m not affiliated with Dr. Weil, and I'm just a commenter sharing my story.  I'm not a substitute for the advice of a physician).

Edited by: itsveg on Sep 20, 2008 7:19:15 PM

Navel Hernia:  Not a Hiatal Hernia.  I have one as a result of my 2nd pregnancy 24 years ago.  It is small and my doctor said no surgery required unless pain or discomfort.  I am an athlete, maraton runner, weightlifter, skier, golf.  Minimal discomfort even when weightlifting.  Just monitor for changes or discomfort.

Danny,

My boyfriend has your exact situation.  He was been going around with this for far too long.  Last night he was in terrible pain just going for a walk.  We looked up a hospital in our area and found a section where you can talk to financial counselors who will try to help you get the services you require.  Don't wait until you are having a serious medical emergency.  Talk to someone at the hospital and try to work out something.  A hernia will not go away.

Good luck to you!

Kim

 Thank you Kim. I'll look into that. I live in a pretty rural area but they must offer something similar to what you two have found. I wish your boyfriend all the best and thank you again.

Danny

 Thank you. I am also a runner and thus far haven't felt any discomfort at all. You have made me feel much more positive. Thanks.

 Thank you. I have been away from my computer for a while and your message as well as the others have all been very encouraging and helpful. Thank you very much.

I beg to differ; sometimes hernias will heal themselves.  How big is your hernia?

My son had a small inguinal hernia--doc said to just watch it as he was a poor surgery candidate due to severe asthma--it went away. I had one the size of an orange 4 years ago; it is now 2 cm in diameter. I skip lifting weights and sit-ups, and massage it daily with olive oil, gently. The above advice is good, like knowing the signs of intestines being stuck in the opening, which is life-threatening as noted above.  I don't have health insurance either, and I am not for a national health insurance. I see how my friend in Australia waited Twelve YEARS for his hernia surgery!  He had to be on a waiting LIST.  I look forward to President McCain making a $5000 health care credit so I can buy my own health insurance.  ^_^  I mostly take care of myself anyway with Dr. Weil's good website advice, plus doing research at the Mayo Clinic website and National Library of Medicine...Good luck to you!

Edited by: KarenJet on Oct 9, 2008 5:55:37 PM

Danny...I am 57 and have had a small but noticable one for about 12 years...my doctor checks it each year and tells me to just keep an eye on it and stay away from surgery unless it gets worse...it never hasworsened...and I still have it...I think I got it from tight fitting pants/belt when I had gained a few pounds...since then I shed the extra weight...the option would have been to upsize pants and loosen belt...Bruce

It's called an umbilical hernia, and if you have one, you might have been born with it.  They are considered to be congenital abnormalities (from birth).  There is a weakness in the muscle, and the gut protrudes in between the striations.  I've had one forever and I'm 63 now.  My dad was a physician, and felt that as long as it didn't get badly strangulated(trapped out), it was better to have a closed system.  I've learned not to get in situations where they can line up.  I've also learned how to relax and get mine back in.  The biggest limitation is that I can't do sit ups.  I have had to go to my doc to get it put back in, but that was in my 20's -30's.  .inter -abdominal pressure, like from liftting, can cause them to appear.  Having children didn't bother mine. I wish you well.       jc