Hernia

Your GP will usually be able to identify a hernia by examining the affected area.

In some cases, they may refer you to a nearby hospitalfor an ultrasound scan to confirm the diagnosis or assess the extent of the problem. This is a painless scan wherehigh-frequency sound waves are used to create an image of part of the inside of the body.

Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, your GP or hospital doctor will determine whether surgery to repair the hernia is necessary.

A number of factors will be considered when deciding whether surgery is appropriate, including:

• the type of hernia some types of hernia are more likely to become strangulated, or cause a bowel obstruction, than others
• the content of your hernia if the hernia contains a part of your bowel, muscle or other tissue, there may be a risk of strangulation or obstruction
• your symptoms and the impact on your daily life surgery may be recommended if your symptoms are severe or getting worse, or if the hernia is affecting your ability to carry out your normal activities
• your general health surgery may be too much of a riskif your general health is poor

Althoughmost hernias won'tget better without surgery, they won't necessarily get worse. In some cases, therisksof surgery outweigh the potential benefits.