Ask a doctor - Is hernia fatal?

Q. Is hernia fatal?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

No, hernia is not fatal. Hernia is a medical condition in which part of an internal organ or tissue bulges through a weak area of muscle. It can occur anywhere in the body but are most common in the abdomen. The severity and scope of the herniation will determine if it is life threatening or not.

Most hernias are not fatal and can be treated with lifestyle modifications such as losing weight, avoiding heavy lifting, avoiding tight clothing that may worsen symptoms, quitting smoking, and doing exercises to strengthen abdominal muscles. Surgery (hernioplasty) may be needed for more serious cases to repair weakened muscles or tissues from birth defects or age-related weakening of muscles due to injury or disease. However, surgery carries risks including infection and even death depending on the location of the hernia as well as other risk factors at play like age and pre-existing conditions. Surgery has been estimated to have a mortality rate between 0 - 0.3%.

Overall, most herniations are mild enough that they do not threaten life; however if you suspect you may have a hernia please consult your doctor who will assess it appropriately before recommending treatment options for your specific case.