All About Inguinal Hernias

You may not have heard the term 'inguinal hernia' before, but this type of hernia is the most common. This type of hernia is found in the groin area of the body. There are many signs and symptoms ranging from extremely mild to down right painful.

What Is It?

An inguinal hernia happens when the muscular wall of the lower abdomen tears and a section of the intestine pushes through. This can go unnoticed in some people and in others it can be extremely painful. Even the simple act of sneezing may cause excruciating pain in severe cases.

How It Happens

In Children

The inguinal hernia can be a problem for newborns. The abdomen's muscular wall doesn't form properly and they are born with these hernias.

The hernia may not be immediately apparent in a newborn. They often are only visible when the child cries, coughs, or has a bowel movement.

In Adults

Adults with inguinal hernias often have no pain in the early stages. The abdominal wall weakens and the intestine comes through the opening. Some people develop what are known as twin or bilateral inguinal hernias. This means they have developed hernias on both sides of their bodies.

Some activities may lead to the formation of these hernias. Obesity, heavy lifting, pregnancy, and constant physical activity all contribute to the formation of inguinal hernias. Some studies suggest smokers are at a higher risk as well. Pregnancy, chronic constipation, or any extra strain on the abdominal wall will also weaken the muscles, which can lead to a hernia.

Symptoms

The first symptom you are likely to notice is the bulge under your skin. This may be accompanied by pain when you lift something heavy, cough, or have a bowel movement. For men, some discomfort can occur in the scrotum area.

What Can Happen?

When the intestine comes through the hernia, the bulge forms. In some cases, the bulge can be pushed back through the muscle wall. It will be located in the groin area near where the pelvis and the thigh join. The intestine can also descend into the scrotum (in men).

The hernia itself is not really a danger to you, though it will continue to cause you pain. Problems arise when the intestine that has protruded through the wall becomes pinched off. This may cause that part of the intestine to die and serious complications can occur.

Who Is At Risk?

Men are more likely to develop inguinal hernias than women. The occurrence of adult and newborn hernias in the male gender is ten times that of women.

Treatment

You should see a doctor as soon as you notice a bump that may signal an inguinal hernia. Your physician will decide if you need to have surgery to correct the problem.

A simple surgery is required to repair an inguinal hernia. The intestine must be gentle pushed back inside the body and the torn muscle must be repaired. This surgery is relatively easy to perform be a qualified surgeon. It requires a few incisions into the effected area so the abdomen wall can be repaired.

Recovery

After this type of surgery, you can expect to be out of the hospital rather quickly. You will need someone to drive you home and look after you for a few days. It is not recommended that you drive for up to a week after the operation. A diet of high fiber and liquids is a good idea to prevent strain during bowel movement during recovery. Because there are a few different surgeries and types of anesthesia your doctor may use, it is important to follow all of his or her directions to the letter after surgery so your incision can heal properly.

This article is meant to be a guide and does not constitute medical advice. Please direct any medical questions or concerns you may have to your physician.