Inguinal Hernia

Nearly five million people in the United States are diagnosed with a hernia each year. Hernias can develop over a long period of time or occur instantly and they often require surgical intervention. For men, inguinal hernias are by far the most common. Because inguinal hernias can lead to serious complications, it is important to recognize the signs of symptoms and seek immediate medical care.

An inguinal hernia occurs when there is a weak spot in the groin muscle, allowing tissue within the abdominal cavity to bulge through. This is often due to a common problem in men, in which the muscles around the abdominal wall do not completely close after birth, leaving a weakness in the lower abdominal area. Once excess pressure is applied to the area, a hernia is likely to occur and can cause severe discomfort.

While a hernia can result from a muscle deficiency at birth, there are other factors that can cause a hernia such as:

• A family history of an inguinal hernia;
• A chronic cough caused by smoking or other health conditions, such as cystic fibrosis;
• Obesity, which can put excess pressure on the abdominal and pelvic muscles; or
• Heavy lifting or physical labor.

A bulge in the groin or scrotum, which may feel like a lump to the touch, is one of the most common symptoms of an inguinal hernia. Other symptoms may include swelling or a feeling of heaviness or burning in the groin area. Often, these symptoms will improve when you lie down, which alleviates pressure in this area. If sudden nausea and vomiting occur it may be a sign of a strangulated hernia, which occurs when part of the intestine has become trapped in the hernia. It is important to seek medical attention at the first sign of a strangulated hernia as complications including intestinal obstruction, gangrene or death may occur.

The only way to repair a hernia is through surgery. During one of the most common procedures, a herniorrhaphy, a physician will make a small incision to the lower abdomen, push the tissue or intestines back into the abdominal cavity and repair the broken muscle wall. After a herrniorrhaphy, most patients can resume normal activities within a few weeks. During another common procedure, the hernioplasty, the physician laparoscopically inserts a mesh covering the weakened area in order to repair the hernia and prevent future episodes. After a laparoscopic hernioplasty, most patients can return to normal activities within a few days. Even if symptoms are not severe, a physician may recommend surgery to avoid complications, such as the risk of strangulated hernia.

In some instances a hernia may be unavoidable, but there are a few simple steps that can help prevent a hernia from developing, such as:

• Maintaining a healthy weight through routine diet and exercise;
• Eating foods high in fiber;
• Avoiding heavy lifting; and
• Discontinuing smoking to help control episodes of chronic coughing.

For more information, contact our Surgery office at 931-502-3700.