An inguinal hernia is a protrusion of organs, such as the intestines and tissues in the abdomen, into the inguinal area or groin. hernia Inguinal hernia is one of the most common types of hernia occur.
When experiencing an inguinal hernia, the bulge may come and go or persist. The bulge often appears when the patient lifts heavy objects, coughs, or strains, but disappears when lying down.
According to the cause, inguinal hernia can be divided into two types, namely:
- Indirect inguinal hernia, which is a hernia that occurs due to a birth defect in the abdominal wall. This condition usually occurs in infants or children.
- Direct inguinal hernia, which is a hernia that occurs due to weakness of the abdominal wall muscles due to repeated pressure, for example, often lifting heavy objects. This condition usually occurs in adult men.
Inguinal Hernia Symptoms
Inguinal hernias often go unnoticed. When experiencing this condition, sufferers will generally feel a bulge or lump in the groin. In some circumstances, the protrusion can extend to the scrotum. This makes the scrotum appear enlarged. The protrusion can be intermittent or permanent. If the bulge persists, symptoms will appear in the form of:
- Tenderness or pain at the protrusion.
- Heaviness on the protrusion.
- Pain and swelling in the groin.
- Pain when coughing, straining, or bending over.
- Sudden nausea and vomiting.
In addition to adults, inguinal hernias can also occur in children and newborns. Usually, a bulge in the groin will appear when the child cries, coughs, or during bowel movements.
In adults and children, hernias that continue and do not get treatment can increase the risk of pinching the intestines and the tissue in the hernia bag, known as a strangulated hernia. Complaints that can arise include:
- Pain in the hernia that is getting worse
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Sudden stomach pain.
- The color of the hernia changes to red, purple, or dark.
- Can not defecate and pass the wind.
- Fever.
This condition is dangerous and requires immediate treatment to prevent complications and damage to the pinched organ or intestine.
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, especially if the bulge can't be re-inserted and persists
Go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital immediately if the hernia starts to turn red, purple, or dark in color.
Inguinal Hernia Causes and Risk Factors
An inguinal hernia can be caused by a defect in the abdominal wall since the baby is born or because of a weakness in the abdominal wall as an adult. Some factors that can increase the risk of weakening the abdominal wall and causing an inguinal hernia are:
- Injuries to the stomach.
- Surgery on the stomach.
- Chronic cough.
- The habit of straining when defecating or urinating.
- Doing activities that put pressure on the abdominal wall.
- Pregnancy.
- Overweight.
- Have a history of hernia in the family.
Although it can happen to anyone, inguinal hernia is more common in men, both infants, children, and adults.
Inguinal Hernia Diagnosis
To diagnose an inguinal hernia, the doctor will ask questions or take a history about complaints, history of activities, operations, and previous injuries in the abdominal area.
The doctor will then perform a thorough physical examination, including by looking at and touching the hernia. During the examination, the doctor may ask the patient to stand up, cough, or strain to make the hernia more visible or palpable.
If the results of the physical examination are considered insufficient, the doctor will ask the patient to undergo additional examinations, such as an ultrasound scan, CT scan, and MRI, to see the contents of the protrusion.
TreatmentInguinal Hernia
An inguinal hernia can be treated through a surgical procedure. This procedure is performed to reinsert protruding organs or intestines and strengthen weak parts of the abdominal wall.
The purpose of inguinal hernia surgery is to treat complaints, prevent the appearance or recurrence of hernias, and prevent complications.
There are two surgical methods for treating inguinal hernias, namely open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. In an open surgical procedure, the surgeon will make an incision in the groin and return the intestine and trapped organs to their original position, then proceed with the process of closing the hole and strengthening the weak scar tissue.
In a laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon will make several small incisions in the abdomen. Through one of these incisions, the doctor will insert an instrument called a laparoscope, which is a small tube with a camera and a small light at the end.
Through a camera whose image will be displayed on a monitor screen, the doctor can see the condition inside the patient's stomach. With the help of this camera, the doctor will insert special surgical instruments through the other incision to pull the hernia back into place.
Inguinal Hernia Complications
If an inguinal hernia is left untreated, the intestine and tissue can become pinched and cause a strangulated hernia. This condition can be dangerous because it can cause:
- Damage to the intestines and pinched tissue.
- Testicular damage due to pressure from the hernia.
- Infection of the pinched organ.
- Disturbances in the digestive tract including obstruction.
Inguinal Hernia Prevention
If it is caused by a congenital birth defect in the abdominal wall, the appearance of a hernia is difficult to prevent. However, there are several ways that can be done to reduce the risk of abdominal wall weakness, namely:
- Don't lift heavy weights too often.
- Maintain body weight to stay within ideal and healthy limits.
- Eat high-fiber foods to prevent constipation, so you don't have to strain too hard during a bowel movement.