Question: I was diagnosed with a hernia in my abdomen, but I have not had it removed. Can hernias cause difficulty breathing? My abdomen is very bloated, and my breathing seems to be labored even when I’m at at rest.
Dr. Hibberd's Answer:
Most hernias will not affect your ability to breath. An abdominal hernia is weakness or a traumatic tear that allows abdominal bowel contents to extrude from its normal location. Your breathing is usually not affected unless your diaphragm has been compromised and allows your bowel to crowd the chest cavity space normally occupied by the lung.
A common hernia, called a hiatal hernia, is a partial herniation of the stomach wall upward toward the chest into the space normally occupied by the esophagus. A hiatal hernia will not cause shortness of breath.
Your shortness of breath is a concern and should be assessed without delay. If your doctor is unavailable or unsure, go to the emergency department and request an evaluation. Most emergency medicine physicians are excellent diagnosticians and will make sure you receive the care you need to manage your condition.
No comments:
Post a Comment