What is a Strangulated Hernia?

A hernia happens when an internal organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue in your abdomen or groin. Many people live with mild hernias for months or years without serious trouble. However, hernias don't heal on their own, and they can suddenly turn into a life-threatening emergency if the trapped tissue loses its blood supply.

When blood flow to the trapped tissue gets cut off, you're dealing with a strangulated hernia. Without swift medical intervention, the lack of oxygen causes the trapped tissue to die, which can lead to severe infections or widespread health issues.

At Boca Care Surgical Associates of Palm Beach County in Boca Raton, Florida, Dr. Avraham Belizon, MD, FACS, FASCRS, diagnoses and treats all types of hernias, including emergency strangulated hernias.

Signs and symptoms of a strangulated hernia

Recognizing the warning signs of a strangulated hernia quickly can save your life. Unlike standard hernias that feel soft and only moderately bothersome, a strangulated hernia produces sharp, sudden changes.

Watch out for these severe warning signs:

• Sudden and rapidly increasing pain at the hernia site
• A hernia bulge that turns red, purple, or dark brown
• An inability to push the bulge back into your abdomen, even when lying down
• High fever, cold sweats, and a rapid heart rate
• Severe nausea, persistent vomiting, or feeling unable to pass gas or stool

Strangulation is rare, but always constitutes an emergency requiring prompt medical attention.

Why a strangulated hernia requires urgent care

When tissue is pinched tight enough to cut off blood circulation, the clock starts ticking. Tissue death can begin in as little as a few hours. When intestinal tissue dies, toxic bacteria and waste can leak into your abdominal cavity.

This dangerous waste leakage can trigger peritonitis, a severe abdominal infection that can cause systemic inflammation throughout your entire body. The infection can quickly spill into your bloodstream, leading to sepsis and organ failure. Emergency surgery is the only reliable way to release the trapped tissue, restore blood flow, and repair the damaged abdominal wall before complications worsen.

How we treat strangulated hernias 

If you already have symptoms of a strangulated hernia, don’t wait for a regular office visit. You need immediate emergency care. Once your situation is stabilized, Dr. Belizon performs precise surgical techniques to safely remove any nonviable tissue and restore the structural strength of your abdominal wall.

If you suspect you have a hernia or you're experiencing unusual pain near an existing bulge, don't wait for things to get worse; contact our office or request an appointment online.