Can Dr Towfigh or any Dr answer, or anyone, hernia and bowel movements.lack of.

[William Bryant]

My father has a hernia, and has had for about 4 years, he has new been constipated for several weeks maybe a few months even. He takes laxitives and goes.

But I suspect his hernia is obstructing his bowel. Especially as blood and stool sample are satisfactory, no issues.

He saw Dr today who examined hernia and suggested he had surgery. He isn’t keen on that and at 90 cant say I blame him.

So what are the consequences of leaving the hernia if bowel is obstructed?

[drtowfigh]

Constipation does not imply obstruction. Those are two distinct clinical situations: one is non-urgent and the other is urgent/emergent.

If the hernia includes his colon and he is obstructing as a result, then that requires repair. Otherwise, it is common for elderly to be constipated, with our without hernias, and so the treatment should be aimed at the colon, not the hernia.

[William Bryant]

Thank you Dr Towfigh.

[Author]

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