What is an Inguinal Hernia?

Date: Jul-11-2016 The abdominal cavity is the large hollow space in the body that contains many important organs such as the stomach and liver. An inguinal hernia occurs when part of the abdominal cavity pushes into an area of the body called the inguinal canal.

There are two inguinal canals in the body, one on either side of the groin. Different structures of the body pass through the inguinal canal depending on the person's gender.

In men, the spermatic cord passes through the canal and connects to the testicles. In women, round ligaments that support the uterus pass through the canal.

An inguinal hernia usually affects either the small intestine or the fatty tissue in the abdomen.

An indirect inguinal hernia is caused by a pre-existing weakness or is found at birth. A direct inguinal hernia occurs only in adults. It develops over time due to repeated stress on the abdominal muscles.

Contents of this article:

Risk factors and prevention

Symptoms and complications

Diagnosis of an inguinal hernia

Treatment for inguinal hernias

Other types of hernia

Risk factors for inguinal hernias

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Services, around 25 percent of men will develop an inguinal hernia at some point in their lives. This is significantly higher than the rate in women, which is thought to be only 2 percent.

Around a quarter of men will have an inguinal hernia at some point in their lives.

Direct inguinal hernias tend to occur later in life due to the weakening of the abdominal muscles with age. However, inguinal hernias can happen at any age. Indirect hernias tend to be found in young children and people under the age of 30.

People are more likely to develop an inguinal hernia if other members of their family have had a hernia. Smoking cigarettes also increases the risk.

Preventing inguinal hernias

The abdominal muscles often weaken with age, and this cannot be prevented. However, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding cigarette use can help prevent inguinal hernias from occurring or reoccurring.

Avoiding heavy lifting and using the legs when lifting objects (as opposed to the back) can help people avoid stressing the abdominal wall. Preventing constipation and not straining when using the bathroom can also help inguinal hernias from worsening or reoccurring.

Symptoms of an inguinal hernia

There are several signs and symptoms that occur with an inguinal hernia. The most common symptom to appear first is a small bulge in the groin. This bulge can be on one or both sides of the groin, and often goes away when lying down.

Other symptoms may include:

Swollen scrotum

Weakness, heaviness, or pain in the groin

It is common for pain to improve with rest and get worse when lifting something heavy, coughing, or straining.

Complications of an inguinal hernia

There are two main complications that can occur with an inguinal hernia: incarceration or strangulation.

Incarcerated or strangulated hernias can cause extreme pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Similar to an incarcerated person being stuck in jail, an incarcerated bowel is stuck in the inguinal canal. The healthcare provider isn't able to ease the stuck portion of bowel or fat back into the abdominal cavity.

If an incarcerated hernia isn't eventually corrected, it can become strangulated. When this happens, blood flow to the tissue can be cut off. This can cause the small intestine to die and is an emergency, life-threatening situation.

Symptoms of either incarceration or strangulation include:

Extreme pain at the site of the bulge that isn't relieved with rest or other measures

Nausea, vomiting, or fever

Not being able to move the bowels or pass gas

Anyone having these symptoms should seek emergency care immediately. A hernia that is strangulated requires emergency surgical repair.

Diagnosis of an inguinal hernia

If someone suspects that they have a hernia, they should see their healthcare provider. The doctor will carry out a physical exam and take a family and medical history. Usually, this is all that is needed to diagnose a hernia.

A doctor will sometimes order additional testing to rule out other medical conditions or complications. Tests that may be used include X-rays, CAT scans, and abdominal ultrasounds. These types of tests can also be used if the doctor is having difficulty diagnosing the hernia.

Treatment for an inguinal hernia

Surgical repair of the abdominal wall is the only available treatment for an inguinal hernia. The decision whether to proceed with surgery depends on how severe the symptoms and situation are.

The only available treatment for an inguinal hernia is surgery.

If the patient isn't having severe pain or other medical problems related to the hernia, their doctor may suggest a "watch and wait" approach. If that's the case, they'll want to be quick to report any worsening or new symptoms.

If the doctor has recommended surgery, there are two different approaches that they might take:

Open surgery. The surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen to push the hernia back into the abdomen. The hole is then repaired.

Laparoscopic surgery. The surgeon makes several small incisions and inserts instruments into the abdomen. They then use those instruments to repair the hernia.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each kind of procedure. Some people may not be suitable for a particular type of surgery. Patients should be sure to speak with their surgeon about the best option for them.

After surgery

Recovery will depend on the type of procedure that a patient has, as well as the severity and size of the hernia.

People who have laparoscopic surgery tend to have an easier and shorter recovery than people who have open surgery. Their doctor will let them know when they will be able to return to work.

The doctor will give specific instructions based on each case. Patients can expect to avoid heavy lifting and activity for a few weeks. They may experience some discomfort or pain in the days following surgery. Patients should talk to their doctor about their options for managing pain.

After surgery, patients should make sure to report any signs of developing an infection. These symptoms include redness, swelling, heat, drainage, or worsening pain around the incision.

Living with a hernia

Hernias are relatively common, especially for older men. Though surgery can be a frightening prospect, it may not be necessary in all cases. Patients should speak with their doctor about any concerns and all the available options.

If the patient and doctor decide that surgery isn't the best option, the patient should follow up with the doctor as they recommend and report any symptoms that are new or getting worse.

Other types of hernias

There are several different types of hernias, depending on what part of the body is affected:

Incisional: Occurs when a part of the body extends through a surgical wound that has not yet fully closed.

Femoral: Occurs when the intestines or abdominal fat pushes into the femoral canal, which is found at the top of the inner thigh or in the groin. These types of hernias are less common than inguinal hernias and tend to happen more often in women.

Umbilical: Occurs when the bowel or fatty tissue extends through the belly button. This most often happens in babies.

Hiatal: Occurs when the stomach pushes through the hiatus, a small opening in the diaphragm at the top of the abdomen.

Written by Nicole Galan RN

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.