Then that portion of the intestine must be removed. If surgery is not performed right away, the condition can become life threatening, and the affected intestine may die. Left untreated, nausea, vomiting, and severe infection can occur. Sudden pain that worsens in a short period of time.Extreme tenderness and redness in the area of the bulge.
Symptoms of a strangulated hernia include: A strangulated hernia is a serious condition and requires immediate medical attention. An incarcerated hernia is caused by swelling and can lead to a strangulated hernia, in which the blood supply to the incarcerated small intestine is jeopardized. "Incarcerated" and "Strangulated" Inguinal HerniasĪn incarcerated inguinal hernia is a hernia that becomes stuck in the groin or scrotum and cannot be massaged back into the abdomen. Premature infants are especially at risk for indirect inguinal hernias because there is less time for the inguinal canal to close. Indirect hernias are the most common type of inguinal hernia. In females, an indirect inguinal hernia is caused by the female organs or the small intestine sliding into the groin through a weakness in the abdominal wall. Fat or part of the small intestine slides through the weakness into the inguinal canal, causing a hernia. Sometimes the entrance of the inguinal canal at the inguinal ring does not close as it should just after birth, leaving a weakness in the abdominal wall. In a male fetus, the spermatic cord and both testicles-starting from an intra-abdominal location-normally descend through the inguinal canal into the scrotum, the sac that holds the testicles. Indirect inguinal hernias are congenital hernias and are much more common in males than females because of the way males develop in the womb. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).A direct hernia develops gradually because of continuous stress on the muscles.Īny activity or condition which increases pressure in the intra-abdominal cavity may contribute to the formation of a hernia, including: The hernia involves fat or the small intestine sliding through the weak muscles into the groin. Direct inguinal hernias occur only in males. Types Direct Inguinal Herniasĭirect inguinal hernias are caused by connective tissue degeneration of the abdominal muscles, which causes weakening of the muscles during the adult years. However, it is far more common in males with a lifetime risk of 27% in men and 3% in women. Some individuals are born with weak abdominal muscles and are more likely to develop a hernia. Others are caused by excessive strain on the abdominal wall from heavy lifting, weight gain, coughing, or difficulty with bowel movements and urination. A burning, gurgling, or aching feeling at the bulgeĪn inguinal hernia may arise at any time from infancy to adulthood.A feeling of weakness or pressure in the groin.Discomfort or sharp pain-especially when straining, lifting, or exercising-that improves when resting.A small bulge in one or both sides of the groin that may increase in size and disappear when lying down in males, it can present as a swollen or enlarged scrotum.Image Credit: " Blausen 0560 InguinalHernia" by BruceBlaus Signs and Symptoms Repair of Inguinal hernias is among the most frequently performed surgeries in the U.S. Approximately 800,000 are to repair inguinal hernias and the rest are for other types of hernias. Hernia repairs are common-more than one million hernia repairs are performed each year in the U.S. In men, inguinal hernias typically develop in the groin area near the scrotum, on one or both (double hernia) sides. A hernia occurs when part of an internal organ (usually the small intestine) protrudes through a weak point or tear in the peritoneum, the thin muscular wall holding the abdominal organs in place resulting in a bulge. In an inguinal hernia, abdominal fat or a loop of small intestine enters the inguinal canal, a tubular passage through the lower layers of the abdominal wall.