HERNIA: Don’t delay treatment

Each year in the United States, nearly five million people are diagnosed with a hernia. Hernias can develop over a long period or occur instantly and often require surgical intervention. For men, inguinal hernias are the most common. Because inguinal hernias can lead to serious complications, it’s important to recognize symptoms and seek immediate care.

“An inguinal hernia occurs when there’s a weak spot in the groin muscle which may be present at birth, causing tissue within the abdominal cavity to bulge through,” says General Surgeon Michael Heuman, M.D. “When excess pressure is applied to the area, a hernia is likely to occur and can cause severe discomfort.”

While a hernia can result from a muscle deficiency at birth, other causes include:

• a family history of an inguinal hernia
• a chronic cough caused by smoking or other health conditions, such as cystic fibrosis
• obesity, which can put excess pressure on the abdominal and pelvic muscles
• heavy lifting or physical labor.

A bulge in the groin or scrotum, which may feel like a lump to the touch, is one of the most common symptoms of an inguinal hernia. Other symptoms include swelling or a feeling of heaviness or burning in the groin area. Often, these symptoms will improve when you lie down, which alleviates pressure. If sudden nausea and vomiting occur, it may be a sign of a strangulated hernia, which occurs when part of the intestine has become trapped in the hernia. Seek medical attention at the first sign of a strangulated hernia, as complications include intestinal obstruction, gangrene or even death.

A common way to repair a hernia is through herniorrhaphy. During this surgery, a surgeon makes a small incision to the lower abdomen, pushes the tissue or intestines back into the abdominal cavity and repairs the broken muscle wall. After a herniorrhaphy, most patients can resume normal activities within a few weeks. During another common procedure, hernioplasty, the surgeon laparoscopically inserts mesh to cover the weakened area, repair the hernia and prevent future episodes. After a laparoscopic hernioplasty, most patients can return to normal activities within a few days. Even if symptoms aren’t severe, a physician may recommend surgery to avoid complications, such as the risk of a strangulated hernia.

In some cases, a hernia may be unavoidable, but these simple steps can help prevent it:

• Maintain a healthy weight through routine diet and exercise
• Eat high-fiber foods
• Avoid heavy lifting
• Stop smoking to help control chronic coughing.