The inguinal hernia has become commonly detected in most cases. Learning about it in detail can help save the condition from getting more complicated. So, may it be already diagnosed or if it is doubtful, let’s clear all the doubts here? Get the right treatment and cure or simply learn for future awareness.
What is an Inguinal Hernia?
Inguinal hernia is one of the most commonly treated hernia types which is detected when the abdomen muscles are found bulging and affected.
This is due to the tear of soft tissue. In most cases, this type of hernia does not even give any physical signs of pain or discomfort and in other cases, even the bulging is completely felt and feels uncomfortable.
Symptoms of inguinal hernia
Some of the generally detected symptoms of inguinal hernia through which the diagnosis is made are discomforting feeling, having fluctuating or constant pain, pain while coughing or giving pressure to the abdomen area, making excessive body stretches, bending, or lifting heavy objects.
Causes and risk factors of inguinal hernia
Every medical condition comes with some risk factors or the cause for its occurrence. Well, a few of the major reasons and risks attached to Inguinal hernia are
- 1. Weakened abdominal wall This is generally the primary cause of Inguinal hernia. When the stomach due to weakness creates a bulging around the abdominal wall.
- 2. Birth defects Inguinal hernia can be the ultimate cause of complications at the time of birth. It is when the baby might be born with an unexpected weak spot or an opening.
- 3. Heavy lifting exercises Men often get diagnosed with a hernia due to their regular habit of lifting heavy weights. This gives a lot of pressure and strain on the abdomen area and results in a hernia.
- 4. Pregnancy Women with pregnancy can have various medical complications during those months, including a hernia. But, if the proper care is taken from the starting stage this can be taken under control.
- 5. Excessive straining Pressure can be due to many day-to-day activities and heavy lifting exercises. These ordinary movements that can result in inguinal hernia are bending, excessive stretching, putting pressure on the abdomen and
- 6. Pressure while coughing When the throat is blocked, a person naturally coughs multiple times in a day. This can lead to pressure on the stomach and later result in an Inguinal hernia.
- 7. Chronic obesity Having an imbalanced body weight or having overweight can cause an Inguinal hernia and affects the abdomen muscles.
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Types of inguinal hernias
There are two major types of inguinal hernia. These have their roots and understanding. It contains some similarities as well as some differences which are
- 1. Direct Inguinal Hernia This is when the hernia forcefully goes through the wall of the inguinal canal. This direct effect usually appears to happen mostly in adults and this usually occurs due to the weakening of muscles around the abdomen or excessive pressure put repetitively on the abdomen wall.
- 2. Indirect Inguinal Hernia The major difference that separates it from direct hernia is that this type of inguinal hernia reaches inside the abdominal through the top opening of the inguinal canal. The main cause of it occurring especially in babies is because of birth defects.
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Inguinal Hernia Complications
In the case of an inguinal hernia, some of the complications before surgery as well as after the surgery is expected to be felt. These can be blockage of bowel movement, a hernia can get trapped, the tissue can stop receiving blood flow, feeling of vomiting, nausea, intense or unbearable pain and so on.
Inguinal Hernia Prevention
Well, even before reaching the stage of complications, there are a few smart ways through which one can practice healthy prevention from Inguinal hernia.
- 1. Balanced body weight Firstly, maintaining healthy eating habits and parallel to it eliminating anything that is not healthy for the body can keep the overall health in balance.
- 2. Control diabetes The condition of diabetes has nowadays become so common and due to it many more ailments easily affect the body. Thus, keep diabetes in control.
- 3. Quitting smoking This is already known that smoking has life-threatening effects on the whole body. Thus, take action, and quit it today.
- 4. Boost abdomen strength Inguinal hernia is caused mainly because of the weakened abdomen and bulging in that area. So, keeping the area clean, strengthened and in good condition won’t even let it affect any ailment.
- 5. Advised proper lifting methods Especially for men who regularly do heavy lifting activities or exercises, there are safer ways to practise the same.
- 6. Regular health checkups Nothing is better than having a report of your overall health condition prepared to avoid any kind of health condition.
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Inguinal Hernias Treatment
Diagnosis The doctor will initially take up a physical test to examine the bulging and can ask to give a few coughs to see the severity of the condition. Further, if this couldn’t properly diagnose the condition, the doctor will ask for some general scanning test reports such as a CT scan, Ultrasound or MRI. Thus, this clear diagnosis will help to identify the severity of the case and plan out the treatment accordingly.
Treatment Firstly, if the symptoms are still at an initial stage, the doctor might advise you to give it some time to settle down by itself. In the case of children, it is usually cured by putting little pressure on the bulging. Whereas, in adults, this often requires surgical treatment. The general surgical procedure followed is
- 1. Open Hernia treatment method Under this method. Firstly, local anaesthesia is often given to numb the pain, an incision cut is made and extended or the bulging tissue is put back carefully into the abdomen. Further, the weak or sensitive area is sewed back with the help of synthetic mesh and the final stitching is done to give the treatment a proper closure.
- 2. Minimally invasive hernia treatment method Under this method too. Firstly, local anaesthesia is given to numb the pain. In this not one but multiple small cuts will be made through medical instruments or Laparoscopic technique. Here, one cut is used to put the Laparoscopic tube to see the inside of the abdomen clearly and the other cuts or holes are used to do the repairing work, done through special medical equipment.
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Also, this type of surgery is preferred due to its higher success rates. It lets the patient heal quicker and much easier. It lets the patient have a lesser amount of discomfort in comparison to the open surgical method.
How serious is an inguinal hernia?
At first, an inguinal hernia isn’t that serious and can be easily treated through the surgical procedure by an expert doctor. But, if the hernia isn’t treated within time, it can convert into serious complications. As with the larger hernia, it can become a life-threatening issue.
What will happen if an inguinal hernia is left untreated?
Untreated hernia can raise some complications and most commonly it can result in cutting off the blood flow. This trapped condition of the tissue in the abdomen wall can be a threat to life.
How can I reduce my risk of getting an inguinal hernia?
Few of the best ways to lessen the amount of risk of Inguinal hernia and in fact to completely get rid of it one can make firstly start by consciously balancing their body weight, carefully do the lifting exercises with suitable methods, quit bad habits, visiting their doctor for a regular check-up and have conscious control over diabetes condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best treatment for inguinal hernia?
As of now, in medical development, the only solution to get hernia treated, specifically Inguinal hernia treatment surgery is known to be the only treatment available. Thus, talk to your doctor for a surgical treatment. He will get a proper diagnosis done and plan out everything for the patient’s safest surgery.
How do I know if I have an inguinal hernia?
Inguinal hernia can be diagnosed through some common symptoms such as feeling bulging, discomfort and pain in or around the groin area. The patient, for this, is advised to reach out to the doctor for a complete check-up and accurate diagnosis to get the right treatment within the right time.
What causes an inguinal hernia?
An inguinal hernia is mainly caused due to
What foods should I avoid with an inguinal hernia?
Every inguinal hernia patient must exclude or avoid food items such as processed food, access to sugar intake, caffeine intake, frozen meals, red meat or dairy products.
How can I reduce my inguinal hernia without surgery?
Through, inguinal hernia majorly can be treated through surgery but if looking for some ways without undergoing a complete surgical procedure, a few of the safest ways are to exercise regularly, including healthier and beneficial food items in your diet, continue to walk a little every day don’t give pressure to the affected area or wear belts designed for hernia repair.
How serious is an inguinal hernia?
Though inguinal hernia does not affect severely in most cases and is often corrected through surgery, surgery is the only way to treat it. But, in some uncommon cases, which might occur, inguinal hernia if not treated within due time can create multiple serious complications and can also be life-threatening.
How long is recovery from Inguinal Hernia Surgery?
A patient who has recently undergone or is planning to undergo must know that the repair and recovery time from inguinal hernia surgery can generally take up to around one week to two weeks.
Where during this time complete bed rest is advised. After these initial two weeks, the patient can eventually return to routine life and start to work.
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