Charlie Sheen's Reported Hernia May Halt Show

Charlie Sheen remains hospitalized in Los Angeles. The 45-year-old actor was rushed to Cedars-Sinai by ambulance Thursday after complaining of severe abdominal pains.

On "The Early Show," CBS News Correspondent Betty Nguyen reported it began with a 911 call at 6:30 in the morning. Sheen was rushed to the emergency room, and his father, Martin Sheen, was seen arriving at the hospital.

Doctors have not revealed the exact cause of Sheen's health crisis, but sources close to the actor say he has a hernia in his stomach.

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Dr. John Lipham, assistant professor of surgery at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, explained, "Symptoms of hiatal hernias are mainly heartburn, regurgitation of acid and bile, difficulty swallowing, and occasionally pain."

A media frenzy ensued, with rumors flying across the Internet. Neighbors told celebrity website TMZ.com they heard loud partying at Sheen's residence overnight.

Sheen has had issues with substance abuse that led to several stays in rehab, dating back to 1990. In February, he entered a facility, in what his publicist called a preventive measure.

Marc Malkin, senior editor of E! Online, said, "Charlie has been getting into trouble for years, from when he was part of the brat pack. This a guy that has been in and out of rehab, in and out of hospital visits."

Thursday marked Sheen's third health issue in the last three months. In October, he was admitted after an incident at the Plaza Hotel in New York. His publicist blamed an "allergic reaction to medication." Two weeks ago, he was treated for an ear infection after a weekend in Las Vegas.

"Early Show" contributor and psychologist Dr. Jennifer Hartstein said, "The first thing that strikes me when I hear another Charlie Sheen story that he's in trouble is that, 'Wow, this is a really troubled guy that needs some sort of help."'

One of those most concerned about Sheen's troubled past is Martin Sheen.

Malkin added, "He doesn't know what to do, he has begged, begged his son to get help. He is distraught and Charlie doesn't think he has any troubles."

Charlie Sheen's hit CBS series "Two and a Half Men" was not shooting this week. It remains the highest-rated comedy on television. Sheen is TV's biggest and best-paid actor.

On Wednesday, his co-star, Jon Cryer, attempted to poke fun at Sheen's well-publicized problems. Cryer said, "I'm checking TMZ, as I do every day, to know if I have to go to work at all."

Friends of Sheen insist his hernia has been a long-standing medical condition, and could require surgery that would sideline him from the show.

Lipham, of the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, said, "The recovery is usually one-to-two weeks off of work."

Nguyen reported at last word, the actor remains at Cedars-Sinai, with his mother and father at his bedside.