25/04/2025
INGUINAL HERNIA
This is a disease condition that occurs when soft tissue — usually part of the membrane lining the abdominal cavity (omentum) or part of the intestine — protrudes through a weak point in the abdominal muscles.
NB: The resulting bulge can be painful, especially when you cough, bend over or lift a heavy object. An inguinal hernia isn't necessarily dangerous by itself. It doesn't get better or go away on its own, however, and it can lead to life-threatening complications. For this reason, your doctor is likely to recommend surgery to fix an inguinal hernia that's painful or becoming larger. Inguinal hernia repair is a common surgical procedure.
SYMPTOMS OF INGUINAL HERNIA
1.) A bulge in the area on either side of your p***c bone
2.) A burning, gurgling or aching sensation at the bulge
3.) Pain or discomfort in your groin, especially when bending over, coughing or lifting
4.) A heavy or dragging sensation in your groin
5.) Weakness or pressure in your groin
6.) Occasionally, pain and swelling around the testicles when the protruding intestine descends into the sc***um.
“A strangulated hernia can be life-threatening if it isn't treated”.
Signs and symptoms of strangulated hernia
1.) Nausea, vomiting or both
2.) Fever
3.) Rapid heart rate
4.) Sudden pain that quickly intensifies
5.) A hernia bulge that turns red, purple or dark.
Signs and symptoms Inguinal hernias in children
Inguinal hernias in newborns and children result from a weakness in the abdominal wall that's present at birth. Sometimes the hernia may be visible only when an infant is crying, coughing or straining during a bowel movement. In an older child, a hernia is likely to be more apparent when the child coughs, strains during a bowel movement or stands for a long period of time.
CAUSES OF INGUINAL HERNIA
1.) Increased pressure within the abdomen
2.) A pre-existing weak spot in the abdominal wall
3.) A combination of increased pressure within the abdomen and a pre-existing weak spot in the abdominal wall
4.) Straining during bowel movements or urination
5.) Heavy lifting
6.) Fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
7.) Pregnancy
8.) Excess weight
9.) Chronic coughing or sneezing
NB: More common in men
Men are more likely to have an inherent weakness along the inguinal canal because of the way males develop before birth.
In male babies, the testicles form within the abdomen and then move down the inguinal canal into the sc***um. Shortly after birth, the inguinal canal closes almost completely — leaving just enough room for the spermatic cord to pass through but not enough to allow the testicles to move back into the abdomen. Sometimes, the canal doesn't close properly, leaving a weakened area.
In female babies
There’s less chance that the inguinal canal won't close after birth.
Weaknesses can also occur in the abdominal wall later in life, especially after an injury or a surgical operation in the abdominal cavity. Whether or not you have a pre-existing weakness, extra pressure in your abdomen from straining, heavy lifting, pregnancy or excess weight can cause a hernia.
RISK FACTORS OF INGUINAL HERNIA
1.) Being male.
You're far more likely to develop an inguinal hernia if you're male. Also, the vast majority of newborns and children who develop inguinal hernias are boys.
2.) Family history.
Your risk of inguinal hernia increases if you have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, who has the condition.
3.) Certain medical conditions.
People who have cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening condition that causes severe lung damage and often a chronic cough, are more likely to develop an inguinal hernia.
4.) Chronic cough
A chronic cough, such as from smoking, increases your risk of inguinal hernia.
5.) Chronic constipation
Straining during bowel movements is a common cause of inguinal hernias.
6.) Excess weight
Being moderately to severely overweight puts extra pressure on your abdomen.
7.) Pregnancy
This can both weaken the abdominal muscles and cause increased pressure inside your abdomen.
8.) Certain occupations. Having a job that requires standing for long periods or doing heavy physical labor increases your risk of developing an inguinal hernia.
9.) Premature birth
Infants who are born early are more likely to have inguinal hernias.
10.) History of hernias
If you've had one inguinal hernia, it's much more likely that you'll eventually develop another — usually on the opposite side.
COMPLICATIONS OF INGUINAL HERNIA
1.) Pressure on surrounding tissues.
Most inguinal hernias enlarge over time if they're not repaired surgically. Large hernias can put pressure on surrounding tissues. In men, large hernias may extend into the sc***um, causing pain and swelling.
2.) Incarcerated hernia.
If the omentum or a loop of intestine becomes trapped in the weak point in the abdominal wall, it can obstruct the bowel, leading to severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and the inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
3.)Strangulation
An incarcerated hernia may cut off blood flow to part of your intestine. This condition is called strangulation, and it can lead to the death of the affected bowel tissue. A strangulated hernia is life-threatening and requires immediate surgery.
TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS
A physical exam is usually all that's needed to diagnose an inguinal hernia.
*** Your doctor is likely to ask about your signs and symptoms and to check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you may be asked to stand up and cough or strain as part of the exam.
TREATMENTS AND DRUGS
1.) If your hernia is small and isn't bothering you, your doctor may recommend a watch-and-wait approach.
2.) Enlarging or painful hernias usually require surgery to relieve discomfort and prevent serious complications.
There are two general types of hernia operations:
A.) Herniorrhaphy (open hernia repair)
B.) laparoscopic repair.
A.) Herniorrhaphy
In this procedure, also called an open hernia repair, the surgeon makes an incision in your groin and pushes the protruding omentum or intestine back into your abdomen. The surgeon then sews together the weakened or torn muscle. The weak area often is reinforced and supported with a synthetic mesh (hernioplasty).
NB: After the surgery, you'll be encouraged to move about as soon as possible, but it may be four to six weeks before you're fully able to resume your normal activities.
B.) Laparoscopy
In this minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon operates through several small incisions in your abdomen. A small tube equipped with a tiny camera (laparoscope) is inserted into one incision. Guided by the camera, the surgeon inserts tiny instruments through another incision to repair the hernia using synthetic mesh.
NB: 1.) Most people who have laparoscopic repair experience less discomfort and scarring after surgery and a quicker return to normal activities. Laparoscopy may be a good choice for people whose hernias recur after traditional hernia surgery because it allows the surgeon to avoid scar tissue from the earlier repair. Laparoscopy also may be a good choice for people with hernias on both sides of the body (bilateral inguinal hernias).
2.) Some studies indicate that a laparoscopic repair may have an increased risk of complications and of recurrence following surgery. These risks can be reduced if the procedure is performed by a surgeon with extensive experience in laparoscopic hernia repairs.
3.) Laparoscopic hernia repair may not be for you if:
* You have a very large hernia
* Your intestine is pushed down into the sc***um
* You've had previous pelvic surgery, such as prostate surgery (prostatectomy)
* You can't receive general anesthesia
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
* Maintain a healthy weight “ Know the best exercise and diet plan for you.
* Emphasize high-fiber foods. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain fiber that can help prevent constipation and straining.
* Lift heavy objects carefully or avoid heavy lifting altogether. If you must lift something heavy, always bend from your knees — not your waist.
* Stop smoking. Besides its role in many serious diseases, smoking often causes a chronic cough that can lead to or aggravate an inguinal hernia.
* Avoid relying on a truss. Wearing a supportive garment designed to keep hernias in place (hernia truss) doesn't correct the underlying problem or help prevent complications. Your doctor might recommend a hernia truss for a short time before surgery to help you feel more comfortable, but the truss isn't a replacement for surgery.
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