Inguinal
hernia
When to seek medical advice
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Not necessarily dangerous in
themselves, inguinal hernias can be painful and lead to serious
complications. But surgical repair is now easier than it once was.
They occur when soft tissue — usually
part of the intestine — protrudes through a weak point in the groin,
where the abdomen meets the thigh. The resulting bulge can be painful —
sometimes excruciatingly so — especially when you cough or lift a heavy
object.
Some people develop or acquire the
abdominal weakness that leads to a hernia in adulthood. But more often
the weakness occurs at birth, when the abdominal lining (peritoneum)
doesn't close properly. And although far more men than women have
inguinal hernias, no one is immune — including infants, pregnant women
and older adults.
Although not necessarily dangerous in
themselves, inguinal hernias can lead to life-threatening complications.
For that reason, your doctor is likely to recommend surgical removal of
a hernia that's painful or growing larger. The good news is that it's
not the same hernia operation your father may have had, with a large
abdominal incision, a long hospital stay and weeks of immobility.
Instead, many inguinal hernias now can be successfully repaired with a
technique that uses several small incisions (laparoscopy), leading to a
faster, less painful recovery.
When to seek medical advice
See your doctor if
you have a painful or noticeable bulge in the area on either side of
your pubic bone. The bulge is likely to be more noticeable when you're
standing upright, and you usually can feel it if you put your hand
directly over the affected area.
You should be able
to gently and easily push the hernia back into your abdomen when you're
lying down. If not, applying an ice pack to the area may reduce the
swelling enough so that the hernia slides in easily. Lying on a slant
with your pelvis higher than your head also may help.
If you still
aren't able to push the hernia in, the herniated intestine may have
become trapped in the abdominal wall — a serious condition that may
require immediate medical attention.
Screening 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 coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you
may be asked to cough or strain as part of the exam.
inguinal hernia
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