Sharp pain in the groin area after sport or at work? The first signs of a hernia can occur unexpectedly, but can escalate into serious symptoms. And did you know that it can also cause life-threatening complications if left untreated? What’s behind it and what can you do? You can find out all this and much more in this guide.
An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue penetrates through a weak point in the lateral abdominal wall. The result: a protrusion develops in the groin. The technical term for this is hernia inguinalis. This problem, which mainly occurs in men, often causes pain and can develop dangerous complications if left untreated, requiring immediate surgery. Early recognition of symptoms is important in order to plan the right treatment in good time. In the long term, surgery is usually unavoidable. In women, a hernia occurs much less frequently and is much more difficult for inexperienced doctors to diagnose.
The symptoms can vary depending on age. However, an inguinal hernia is usually initially noticeable as a slight swelling or protrusion in the groin area. If you also notice any of the following symptoms, a hernia may also be the cause:
The symptoms of a hernia can vary, so it is all the more important that you see a doctor early on to get an accurate diagnosis.
Very important: If left untreated, a hernia can cause serious problems by becoming trapped. Fatty tissue or intestinal loops are pushed through the hernia gap in the groin and become trapped. This is an emergency that should be treated immediately. The following symptoms may occur:
If you notice these signs, consult a doctor or hospital immediately. Because if you wait too long, life-threatening complications can arise.
A hernia can be congenital or acquired with age. Here we will limit ourselves to the variant that occurs later. For a long time, the cause of an inguinal hernia was thought to be a weakness in the connective tissue. But why it occurs in some people and not in others is not fully understood. According to doctors, there are several risk factors that favor a hernia. These factors include:
Most of these factors have one thing in common: they increase the pressure in the abdominal cavity. As a result, the connective tissue in the groin area is exposed to greater stress than normal, which increases the risk of a hernia. Important: competitive athletes sometimes experience recurring groin pain during physical exertion. This pain can be the first sign of a preliminary stage of a hernia (= athlete’s hernia).
Do you feel a painful swelling in your groin or do you suspect you have a hernia? Then consult your family doctor immediately to clarify the matter. Did you know: Just like a tiny umbilical hernia, a small inguinal hernia is often difficult to diagnose, which is why inexperienced doctors can be wrong and sometimes overlook a hernia. He should therefore send you for an ultrasound of both groin regions with a referral. This also makes it possible to determine the hernia gap and whether there are already intestinal loops or fat in the hernia sac.
As soon as the diagnosis of a hernia has been made by ultrasound examination or during a clinical examination by a general practitioner, consult a specialist in general surgery so that a possible operation can be planned as soon as possible. This is because a hernia cannot be cured without surgery. Different surgical techniques are now available depending on the physical situation and personal preferences, which also have various advantages and disadvantages. It is best to discuss with a specialist which method is suitable for you and whether you should actually have surgery soon.
Last update: 19.06.2024
GoAesthetic
Center for aesthetic treatments
Address:
Magdalenenstrasse 22/1
1060 Vienna
E-mail: office@goaesthetic.at
Tel:
01/ 417 12 21
“Very nice surgery, the staff is very friendly and you feel comfortable right away! After the first treatment I already saw a great result! Can definitely recommend.”
