An inguinal hernia is a hernia that occurs when tissue like the intestines or fat from the abdomen protrude through a weak spot in the lower abdominal wall into the groin (inguinal) area.
Inguinal hernias are fairly common. It’s estimated that roughly 27% of males will develop inguinal hernias compared to about 3% of females[1].
How Serious is an Inguinal Hernia?
These hernias aren’t necessarily dangerous but can be painful under certain situations that can stress the area.
Symptoms of Inguinal Hernia Include:
A bulge on one or both sides of the groin that can no longer be seen when lying down.
Pain in the groin, usually when lifting, exercising, or straining during a bowel movement.
Inguinal hernia repair is a common surgical procedure called herniorrhaphy or hernioplasty.
Dr. Yunis offers a variety of hernia repair techniques based on the type of hernia and to suit his patients' needs. Techniques available for inguinal hernia repair include:
[1] Oberg S, Andresen K, Rosenberg J. Etiology of inguinal hernias: a comprehensive review. Frontiers in Surgery. 2017;4:52.
FAQs
Can an inguinal hernia heal itself?
An inguinal hernia is a defect in the abdominal wall in the area of the inguinal canal. These hernias vary in their presentation and can remain harmless for years and in some people be the cause of extraordinary pain and even a life threatening emergency. Inguinal hernias may be tolerable to some people but clearly they never heal. The natural history is that they can slowly or rapidly become larger and more problematic.
How can I prevent my inguinal hernia from getting worse?
There is no absolute way to avoid worsening of your hernia.
Historically avoiding heavy lifting has been the typical recommendation. There is no strong evidence to support this. There are many people that do little or no heavy work and get hernias which grow larger rapidly. There are many people that do heavy lifting all day and never get a hernia and if so their hernia does not necessarily enlarge.
Is inguinal hernia surgery high risk?
Inguinal hernia surgery is generally considered a safe and effective procedure. However, like any surgery, there is a small risk of complications associated with inguinal hernia surgery. It's important to note that the risk of complications varies depending on the individual and the specific type of surgery being performed. Most people experience few or no complications after inguinal hernia surgery and are able to return to their normal activities within a few weeks.
How should I sleep with an inguinal hernia?
There is no problem with sleeping in any position. The most important thing is to find a position that is comfortable.
In many people they improve their comfort by sleeping with a pillow between their legs. Sleeping with a pillow between your legs can help keep your hips and pelvis in proper alignment and reduce the pressure on the hernia.
Can hernia be treated with medication?
Inguinal hernias cannot be treated with just medication alone. Hernias typically require surgery to repair the weakness in the abdominal wall and prevent the intestine from bulging out and potentially becoming trapped or twisted.
What does an inguinal hernia bulge feel like?
An inguinal hernia bulge varies in its appearance and its palpable characteristics. Some are small and can not be seen or felt by the examiners hand. Some are large and firm and others large and soft. They can be the size of a grape to even a grapefruit.
What should you not do with an inguinal hernia?
An inguinal hernia is a defect in the abdominal wall musculature in the groin (inguinal) region. They are often well tolerated and with varying degrees of exercise. The activity restrictions assigned to those with an inguinal hernia is varied and not well agreed upon by experts. Many people can do “anything” despite the presence of their inguinal hernia.
Center for Hernia Repair
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