Table Of Contents
- What is Inguinal Hernia?
- What are the causes of Inguinal Hernia?
- Who can get inguinal hernia?
- What are the symptoms of Inguinal Hernia?
- How is Inguinal Hernia diagnosed?
- What are the treatment methods of Inguinal Hernia?
What is Inguinal Hernia?
An inguinal hernia is when body tissue, such as part of the intestine, sticks through a weak area in the abdominal muscles. When you cough, bend over or lift a large object, the protruding bulge might cause discomfort. Many hernias, on the other hand, are quite painless.
Though an inguinal hernia isn’t always harmful, it does not improve on its own and can be fatal. Your healthcare practitioner will recommend surgery if you go through a painful or protruding inguinal hernia. The popular surgical treatment is inguinal hernia repair.
What are the causes of Inguinal Hernia?
Inguinal hernias are divided into two types:
- Direct inguinal hernia: Adult males are more likely to have direct inguinal hernias than females. It is commonly caused by a long-term weakening of the abdominal wall muscles or due to strain or heavy lifting.
- Indirect inguinal hernia: It is caused by a congenital birth defect in the abdominal wall (present during birth)
Who can get inguinal hernia?
Men over the age of 40 are substantially more prone than women to have direct inguinal hernias. An inguinal hernia affects approximately 25% of men and only 2% of women at some point in their lives.
An inguinal hernia is more likely to occur in men who have a family history of the condition, smoke, or have had previous abdominal surgery.
What are the symptoms of Inguinal Hernia?
Here are the following signs and symptoms of an inguinal hernia:
- A bulge on any side of your pubic bone that can be visible when you stand up, cough, or strain
- Burning or hurting sensation at the bulge
- Pain or discomfort in the groin area, particularly when you bend over, cough, or lift
- Pain and swelling in the testicles area as the intestine descends into the scrotum
- Heaviness or weakness in the groin area
Signs and symptoms in children
Inguinal hernias occur due to a weak abdominal wall present at birth. When an infant cries, coughs, or strains during a bowel movement, you can notice the hernia. He/she may be irritable and have a reduced appetite.
A hernia is more visible in an older child when he/she stretches during a bowel movement or stands for an extended amount of time.
Warning signs
The fluids of the hernia can get trapped (incarcerated) in the abdominal wall if the hernia is not pushed in. This can strangulate the incarcerated hernia, which will cut off blood flow to the trapped tissue. If not treated immediately, it can be fatal.
Symptoms of a hernia include:
- Nausea, vomiting, or even both
- Fever
- Sudden pain that becomes severe
- Red, purple or dark hernia bulge
- Difficulty to move your bowels or pass gas
How is Inguinal Hernia diagnosed?
You should see a doctor right away if your child is suffering from an inguinal hernia. Untreated inguinal hernia can be potentially life-threatening.
Because inguinal hernias can be hereditary, your healthcare professional may ask about your family history. After that, they may conduct a physical examination to check for a hernia bulge. You may be asked to cough or strain to check if the hernia is popping out.
Your health practitioner may order an abdominal X-ray or CT scan to check for a hernia and see if it’s strangulated or incarcerated.
What are the treatment methods of Inguinal Hernia?
If you are dealing with inguinal hernia, a high-fiber diet rich in vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole grains will help you avoid constipation, which can cause discomfort.
An inguinal hernia can be fixed only through surgery. The doctor will use stitches and even a mesh to push the protruding tissue back and tighten your abdominal wall. He will use a laparoscope to make an incision and fix the hernia. You’ll feel less pain and recover more quickly, unlike open surgery.
An inguinal hernia is a painful condition, but it can be treated. Consult your healthcare practitioner if you think you have one, as it won’t heal on its own.
