Inguinal hernia
(Redirected from Inguinal Hernia)
| Inguinal Hernia | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Groin hernia |
Error creating thumbnail: Inguinal fossae | |
| Illustration of an inguinal hernia | |
| Specialty | Surgery, General medicine |
An inguinal hernia is a medical condition characterized by the protrusion of a portion of the intestines or abdominal tissue through a weakness in the abdominal wall, specifically in the inguinal canal area, which is located in the groin.
Overview[edit | edit source]
The inguinal canal is an area in the lower abdomen where the abdominal muscles are naturally weaker. An inguinal hernia occurs when pressure within the abdomen, caused by lifting heavy items, straining, or even coughing, pushes a part of the intestines or abdominal tissue through this weak spot. It is one of the most common types of hernia and occurs more often in men than in women due to anatomical differences.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The primary symptom of an inguinal hernia is a bulge in the groin area that can often be seen or felt. Other symptoms may include:
- Pain or discomfort in the groin, especially when bending over, coughing, or lifting
- A heavy or dragging sensation in the groin
- Weakness or pressure in the groin
- Occasionally, pain and swelling around the testicles if the protruding intestine descends into the scrotum
Causes[edit | edit source]
Factors that increase pressure within the abdomen and may lead to an inguinal hernia include:
- Persistent coughing or sneezing
- Straining during bowel movements or urination
- Heavy lifting
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Chronic lung disease
- Previous surgical incision in the area
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Small and asymptomatic inguinal hernias may only require monitoring. However, if the hernia is causing discomfort or growing larger, surgical intervention may be necessary. There are two main types of surgery:
- Open hernia repair (herniorrhaphy): An incision is made in the groin, and the protruding tissue is pushed back into the abdomen. The weak area is then sewn and reinforced with a synthetic mesh.
- Laparoscopic hernia repair: A minimally invasive procedure that involves several small incisions in the abdomen, through which a laparoscope and surgical tools are inserted to repair the hernia.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
| Inguinal hernia Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
