I'm a physician I'll answer your questions.....although this is too detailed to discuss over the boards.
There are many different types of hernia, but the premise is the same. All of them involve some of your intestine forcing itself through a weakness in the muscles of your abdominal wall.
Don't panic though, hernias are not typically a medical emergency. The red flags that MAKE it a medical emergency are:
1.)Severe abdominal pain.
2.)Blood in your stool.
3.)If the hernia bulges out and cannot be pushed back in.
If any of these are true then you need to be seen by a doctor ASAP (either an ER or Urgent Care Clinic) to be evaluated immediately and potentially have surgery done.
If none of those red flags apply then the surgery is elective, and can be performed at your leisure.
Ok, I think that's enough. If you need any more help you can personal message me and I can give you my cell phone number or something....
Take care!
