Inguinal hernia

An inguinal hernia (say "IN-gwuh-nul HER-nee-uh") happens when tissue bulges through a weak spot in your groin area. When you have an inguinal hernia, you may see or feel a tender bulge in the groin or scrotum. You may also feel pain, pressure or burning, or a feeling that something has "given way."

Hernias don't heal on their own. Over time, hernias tend to increase in size as the abdominal muscle wall becomes weaker and more tissue bulges through.

The main symptom of an inguinal hernia is a bulge in the groin or scrotum. It often feels like a round lump. The bulge may form over a period of weeks or months. Or it may appear suddenly after you've been lifting heavy weights, coughing, bending, straining, or laughing. The hernia may be uncomfortable or painful. Some cause no pain.

A hernia also may cause swelling and a feeling of heaviness, tugging, or burning in the area of the hernia. These symptoms may get better when you lie down.

In babies, a hernia may bulge when the child cries or moves around.

Strangulated hernias, which happen when part of the intestine gets trapped in the hernia, are more common in babies and children than in adults. They can cause nausea and vomiting and severe pain. A baby with a strangulated hernia may cry and refuse to eat.

Your doctor can usually diagnose an inguinal hernia by asking questions about your health and doing a physical exam. Tests such as ultrasound and CT scans are not usually needed. In most cases, a doctor can find an inguinal hernia during the physical exam.

Other tests may be needed if you need to have surgery. These tests check the status of any current health problems, such as lung, heart, or bleeding problems.

Only surgery can repair an inguinal hernia. But if the hernia does not bother you and it causes no other problems, you may not need treatment right now.

Many people with hernias have surgery to repair them when more symptoms develop. It is very uncommon for a hernia to become strangulated, a serious problem that happens when part of your intestine gets trapped inside the hernia.

Some people wait to have surgery. Waiting to have surgery does not increase the chance that part of your intestine or belly tissue will get stuck in your hernia. Waiting will also not increase your risk for problems.

The two types of surgeries to repair inguinal hernias are:

• Open inguinal hernia repair.
• Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Hernias in babies and young children can be more dangerous and often need to be repaired with surgery right away because of the increased risk of incarceration and strangulation.

If you have an inguinal hernia, it helps to avoid doing things that strain the groin. Use proper lifting techniques, and avoid heavy lifting if you can. Eat fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains each day. These foods are high in fiber and make it easier to avoid straining during bowel movements.