INGUINAL HERNIA ABOUT THIS CONDITION
ABOUT YOUR HERNIA
Inguinal hernias, the most common kind, account for 2/3 of hernias overall. The majority of those are found in males – which probably accounts for their reputation as a male condition. Only a small percentage have the hernias repaired, possibly because they don’t know about repair options.
WHAT IS A HERNIA?
If you noticed a sudden pain in the groin or a sensation as if something had torn, you may be right. A hernia is a weakness or tear in the abdominal muscle wall, which normally holds the inner lining of the abdomen and internal organs in place (inside, where they belong). The weakness or tear allows the inner lining to protrude and form a pouch. The bulge you might see is usually a loop of intestine protruding through the tear in the muscle and into that pouch.
ANATOMY OF A HERNIA
The anatomy of a hernia can be compared to a bulge in the inner tube of a tyre. When the tyre is damaged, the inner tube pushes and bulges through the defect in the tyre. Similarly, when a hernia occurs, the inner layer of the abdominal wall may push against and through the abdominal defect.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF HERNIA
Some hernias have no symptoms (and are found during a routine physical), most inguinal hernias will have one or more of the following signs or symptoms:
- a dull ache
- feeling of weakness
- heaviness
- pressure
- tingling
- a burning sensation in your abdomen, groin, or scrotum.
indicators in groin area
A soft bulge that you can push back in with gentle pressure or that gets smaller or disappears when you lie down. The bulge may get bigger when you cough, bend, lift, or strain.
A sudden, sharp pain or a sensation that something had ‘torn’. Even if you have no other symptoms, you should see your doctor to check it out.
CALL 000
OR GO
DIRECTLY TO
YOUR HOSPITAL
EMERGENCY
DEPARTMENT IF;
- The bulge of your hernia no longer goes back inside when you lie down or with gentle pressure
- Develop a fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting, have blood in your stool, or are unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas
- The bulge turns red, purple or dark
- You have rapidly increasing or severe pain in the abdomen or genital region
WHY MEN?
The area where inguinal hernias occur is the opening through which the testicles descend during foetal development. It usually closes up before birth except for a small space allowing the spermatic cord to pass to the scrotum. If it doesn’t close properly, it can leave a natural weakness that can bulge or tear later on.
What's next?
Call your doctor or surgeon. He or she will diagnose your hernia. The more you know about surgical repair techniques, the better prepared you’ll be to have an informed discussion and make an informed decision with your doctor.
HERNIA
SURGICAL
TREATMENT
New surgical techniques and materials offer options that can decrease discomfort and speed recovery.
VIEW TREATMENT OPTIONS