Do I Have A Hernia?

People often joke about getting a hernia from excessive physical exertion, but this medical condition is no laughing matter. While hernias can occur in various parts of the body, the two types found in the groin, called inguinal or femoral hernias, are most common. A hernia occurs when an area in the muscle layer is torn or weakens, creating a hole that allows a sac to develop in the abdominal wall. In both inguinal and femoral hernias, this sac can hold a loop of intestine or fat padding that normally should remain inside the abdomen. The lifetime risk of getting an inguinal hernia is 27% for men and 3% for women.

Signs & symptoms

Often groin hernias do not cause symptoms, but when they do occur they usually manifest as a lump or bulge at the groin or a dull pain near the groin that worsens with physical activity or coughing. Even if a hernia is only mildly discomforting, it may grow larger and lead to serious problems, especially if tissue becomes trapped in the hernia and cannot slide back into the abdomen. This is known as a strangulated hernia, as blood is no longer flowing to the tissue. As there is risk of this tissue dying, as well as to relieve the pain, immediate surgery is required.

What should I do if I suspect I have a hernia?

If you can either feel or see a bulge in your groin or experience a tugging sensation in the area, make an appointment to see a doctor immediately. Usually your doctor can make a diagnosis with a simple examination, but in some cases an ultrasound will be needed. Typically the contents of the hernia can be carefully pushed back into the abdomen, or “reduced”; however surgery is the only treatment to permanently fix a hernia. Repairing hernias is one of the most common surgical operations in the world. The type of surgery required will depend on the hernia’s size and your general health. Open surgery involves the surgeon making an incision large enough to push the tissue back into place and closing the tear in the muscle layer with a mesh. Alternatively, laparoscopic surgery utilizes smaller incisions and special tools to repair the hernia.

While not all hernias can be prevented, you can reduce risk by using proper lifting techniques and losing weight if you are overweight. Eating plenty of fiber, drinking plenty of fluids, going to the bathroom as soon as you have the urge and exercising regularly can also help reduce your chances of ending up on the operating room table.

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