Are you worried about an inguinal hernia? Let's talk about it simply!

Have you ever felt like you had a lump in your groin, especially when you lift something heavy or cough? Or do you feel a heaviness or pulling pain in that area? Many people are a little afraid and embarrassed to talk about this. But this could be a condition called a 'hernia' that we see a lot. Don't worry, today we will talk very simply about what this inguinal hernia is, why it occurs, and what to do about it.

Simply put, what is this hernia?

Imagine a bag with a small hole in it. The contents of the bag will come out through that hole, right? A hernia is something like that. A hernia is when tissue in one part of our body, for example, a piece of intestine in the stomach or a layer of fat, protrudes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscles.

An inguinal hernia is a hernia in which tissue from the abdomen protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal wall that separates the abdomen from the groin. It is also called a groin hernia because it occurs in the groin area. This is the most common type of hernia.

There are two main types of inguinal hernias:

Inguinal hernias can be divided into two main types based on how they form. There are some subtle differences between the two.

Who is most affected by this situation?

Inguinal hernias are more common in men . Statistically, one in ten men develops one in women.

Why do men get it more?

Simply put, it's because of the structure of the body. When a baby boy is in the womb, his testicles are initially located in the abdomen. They then descend through the inguinal canal into the scrotum. This passageway for the testicles is naturally weak. This is why a hernia is more likely to occur. Sometimes, this passageway doesn't close completely after birth.

Women's inguinal canals are narrower. And because a strong ligament runs through them to support the uterus, the area is strong. However, women can also develop inguinal hernias, especially the 'indirect' type that is congenital and can occur in young girls.

Is an inguinal hernia a serious condition?

A hernia may not be very serious at first. But if it is left untreated, the condition can get worse over time. The hole in the muscle gets bigger and bigger, and more tissue comes out.

The main risk is that the protruding piece of tissue (e.g., an intestine) cannot go back in (incarceration) . This can cause pain. Even more dangerous is the loss of blood supply to the trapped tissue (strangulation) . If this happens, the tissue will begin to die (gangrene) and serious infections can occur. This is a condition that requires emergency medical treatment.

Therefore, if you are experiencing pain and discomfort due to a hernia, your doctor will often recommend surgery to repair it before the condition worsens.

What are the symptoms of this?

Not all inguinal hernias cause symptoms. Sometimes symptoms come and go. You may experience things like:

In the case of small children, you can see a lump in their groin when they cry. It goes away when they sleep.

What are the causes of hernia?

There are several reasons why a weakness or an abscess in the abdominal wall may occur.

• Congenital weakness: As mentioned earlier, this is a major cause of `(Indirect Hernia)`.
• Prolonged coughing or sneezing: Things like asthma and smoker's cough can put constant pressure on the stomach.
• Constipation: Constant straining to have a bowel movement can weaken the abdominal wall.
• Weight lifting: Improper weight lifting, heavy lifting exercises, strenuous jobs.
• Pregnancy: Pressure on the abdominal wall during pregnancy.
• Severe obesity: Increased abdominal fat puts constant pressure on the abdominal wall.
• Previous surgeries: A hernia can develop from a weakened scar after abdominal surgery.
• Aging: As we age, our body's tissues naturally weaken.

How do you diagnose an inguinal hernia?

Usually, a doctor will give you a physical examination.You can tell if you have a hernia by looking at it. The doctor will ask you to cough or strain while examining your groin area. If the hernia comes out, it will be clearly visible.

The doctor also checks to see if the knot can be gently tightened by hand and put back in, or if it is stuck.

Sometimes, if the hernia is not clearly visible, an ultrasound scan may be ordered to confirm it. Very rarely, a CT scan may be needed.

What is the best treatment?

If young children and women have an inguinal hernia, doctors recommend surgery as soon as possible because the risk of complications is high.

For some men with small, asymptomatic hernias, their doctor may recommend a "wait-and-watch" approach. However, most men will eventually need surgery.

The surgery is very simple. The removed tissue is put back inside the abdomen and the hole in the muscle wall is sewn up. Sometimes, something like a synthetic mesh is used to strengthen the weakened area. This procedure is called a hernioplasty .

Types of surgery

Now there are two main ways to perform this surgery.

1. Open Surgery: This is the traditional method. A small incision is made through the groin, and the hernia is repaired by going into the area.

2. Laparoscopic Surgery: This is also known as 'keyhole surgery'. The surgery is performed through several small holes in the abdomen, through which a camera and delicate instruments are inserted. This method leaves less scarring, is less painful, and heals faster.

Your doctor will decide which surgical procedure is best for you.

What happens if a hernia is left untreated?

Inguinal hernias do not heal on their own. They usually get worse over time. As mentioned earlier, serious complications can occur, such as obstruction or strangulation of the intestine. These are life-threatening emergencies.

It is especially dangerous to leave a hernia untreated, especially in children. As they grow, the hernia can grow rapidly. So if you suspect that your child has a hernia, see a doctor immediately.

Can a hernia be prevented?

Although congenital hernias cannot be prevented, there are several things we can do to reduce the risk of developing hernias in adulthood.

• Lift weights correctly: When lifting a weight, bend your knees and lift with the strength of your legs, not your back.
• Control your weight: Maintain a healthy body weight, especially by reducing belly fat.
• Avoid constipation: Eat plenty of fibrous foods (fruits, vegetables) and drink plenty of water.
• Avoid smoking: Chronic cough caused by smoking is a major cause of hernias.
• Exercise correctly: Do exercises that strengthen your abdominal muscles.

If you have these symptoms, see a doctor immediately!

If you have a hernia or experience any of the following symptoms after surgery, go to the hospital or see your doctor immediately. These may be signs of a hernia that is strangulated or has lost its blood supply.

• Severe, unbearable pain in the groin area or stomach.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Fever, chills, and shivering.
• The hernia is red, purple, or black.
• Inability to defecate or pass air.
• The hernia that was previously intractable is now intractable.

These are medical emergencies. Therefore, in such cases, you should go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) as soon as possible.