Inguinal hernias are very common and may occur on either side of the groin. An inguinal hernia is due caused when a portion of the intestines protrudes into the inguinal canal due to an abdominal muscle weakness. These hernias are seen more often in men than women. Adults may develop them from heavy lifting, chronic coughing or aging.
Fact
In an article entitled: "Risk Factors For Inguinal Hernia Among Adults in the U.S Population." written by Constance E. Ruhl and James E. Everhart, published in American Journal of Epidemiology in March 2007. It states, "It is estimated that in the U.S., hernias have resulted in significant limitation of activity for approximately 400,000 persons, and the number of workdays lost is greater than for other chronic digestive conditions."
Features
There are three types of inguinal hernias -- a reducible inguinal hernia is easily pushed back into the abdomen, an irreducible or incarcerated inguinal hernia cannot be pushed back in the abdomen and a strangulated inguinal hernia is a prolonged incarcerated hernia from which the blood supply has been cut off. This is a serious emergency that needs immediate medical attention.
Signs
There may be no are no signs or symptoms to detect that you have an inguinal hernia it may be diagnosed during a physical examination. There may be a protrusion or a bulge seen and felt in the affected groin it may disappear when you lay down and reappear when you stand. Males may experience pain and swelling around the scrotal and testicular area. In Infants and babies the hernia may be seen when they are coughing, crying or straining during a bowel movement.
Symptoms
A common symptom is pain in the affected groin when you cough, bend or do strenuous heavy lifting. You may also experience a feeling of heaviness in the area of the affected groin. An attack of sudden pain in the affected groin area with nausea and vomiting are usually the symptoms of a strangulated inguinal hernia. This is a medical emergency seek immediate medical care to avoid death to the strangulated tissue and grave complications to the patient.
Prevention/Solution
The following steps may help to prevent inguinal hernias:
Quit smoking to avoid developing a chronic respiratory condition.
Learn proper body mechanics especially in jobs that require long standing and heavy lifting.
Use the correct body techniques for lifting and use a mid body support.
Maintain adequate body weight. Eat a healthy diet of fresh, fruits, vegetables, protein and an adequate fluid intake.
Tags: affected groin, heavy lifting, inguinal hernia, inguinal hernia, immediate medical, Inguinal Hernia