Inguinal Hernia

A hernia is a painful condition that can occur at any stage of life. 

There are layers of muscles and strong tissue covering your abdomen, which aid in the movement and protection of internal organs. A hernia is an opening in the abdominal wall through which contents of the abdomen come through. 

The hernia may cause a visible bulge or swelling as well as discomfort, pain, or functional impairment. There are a number of different locations where a hernia can occur, including the upper thigh, belly button, and groin. 

This weakness in the muscle can be caused due to the following factors:

• Past injury or surgery-related damage
• Severe coughing 
• Old age 

It is also possible to develop a hernia because of pregnancy, rapid weight gain, or lifting heavy objects, as these activities put extreme pressure on the body.

There are five common types of hernias: inguinal, incisional, femoral, umbilical, and hiatal. Keep reading to learn about inguinal hernia in detail.

What Is Inguinal Hernia?

Inguinal hernias are caused when the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. An inguinal hernia may occur in either of two passages through the lower abdominal wall, namely the inguinal canals.

The inguinal canal is a pathway that contains blood vessels and nerves in the lower abdominal wall. It contains the spermatic cord in men and the ligaments that support the uterus in women.

The resulting bulge caused by the inguinal hernia can be painful, especially if you bend down or lift a heavy object. This type of hernia is dangerous because as it grows larger, the intestine can become trapped within and lose its blood supply.

Inguinal hernias also tend to be more common in men than women. It is because the male testicle starts inside the abdomen and travels down to the scrotum (the sac where the testicles are) through the groin area. Since the path the testicle is passing through is a preexisting opening, it is more prone to open again at a later age. If this opening is not closed at birth, there is a chance of developing a hernia.

In some cases, hernias form at birth and are discovered later in life. In other cases, engaging in activities that increase pressure on your abdominal walls, like severe coughing, can result in an inguinal hernia. 

Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia, accounting for almost 75% of all hernias.

Type of Inguinal Hernia

Inguinal hernias have the following two types:

• Indirect Inguinal Hernia - this type of hernia develops at birth, and is common in men. In men, it occurs when the opening that testicles pass through in the groin does not close at birth. It happens to women when their reproductive organs or small intestine slide into an opening in the groin area because of weak muscles.
• Direct Inguinal Hernia - this type of hernia is developed later in life due to a weak spot in the inguinal canal. It occurs mostly in men, as women and children are rarely diagnosed with direct inguinal hernia.

Incarcerated and Strangulated Inguinal Hernias

If the bulge in the muscle wall cannot be massaged back into the abdomen, it is called an incarcerated inguinal hernia. When this type of hernia blocks the blood supply to the small intestine, it becomes strangulated inguinal hernia, which is a serious medical condition and must be treated instantly.

Symptoms of Inguinal Hernia

The symptoms of an inguinal hernia can differ slightly in males and females. For instance, in males, it may lead to a giant scrotum. The most common symptoms include:

• A visible bulge in the area between the lower abdomen and thighs. This bulge is likely to be more visible when you exercise and will go away when you rest
• Pain, discomfort, or burning in the groin when engaging in intense physical activity

In severe cases, you might experience shooting pain and redness in the groin area, followed by nausea and fever. 

Diagnosis

Your doctor will conduct a physical examination to diagnose an inguinal hernia. You may be asked to cough or strain while your doctor looks for a bulge. Doctors may attempt to massage the contents of the hernia back into the abdominal cavity at first.

Following a physical exam, the doctor may recommend the following tests if a diagnosis cannot be made:

• Ultrasound - a diagnostic test that uses sound waves to create a picture of organs, tissues, and other body parts.
• MRI - using radiology, this technique produces images of the anatomy and physiological processes of the body.

Treatment Options

Typically, inguinal hernias worsen over time. If the hernia is not treatable by medicine, your doctor will recommend surgery. It is performed to avoid the risk of developing strangulated hernia later on. 

Two main types of surgeries are recommended to treat inguinal hernias:

• Open surgery - this is the oldest method of treating hernias. During this procedure, the surgeon will make an incision in your groin area and push the bulge back into the abdomen, followed by stitches. If the opening is large, the doctor will insert synthetic mesh in the cavity to strengthen the abdominal wall.
• Laparoscopy - this is the latest and most advanced technique for repairing the hernia. In this procedure, smaller incisions are made in the abdomen, and a laparoscope is inserted through one end of the thin tube. The camera transmits a magnified image to a monitor, allowing the surgeon to see the hernia up close. The surgeon then attempts to repair the hernia using synthetic mesh to strengthen the abdominal wall. In contrast to open surgery, this type of surgery requires much less recovery time.

After you have had a successful surgery, it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions to prevent the inguinal hernia from coming back. 

If you are experiencing inguinal hernia symptoms like increased pain in the groin, nausea, and fever, then get yourself checked immediately.