Various lifestyle and medical treatments often can help. Since hernias are caused by obesity, a serious program of weight control is recommended, especially if your weight is centered in the abdomen. Eating more fiber often helps reduce straining of the bowels. Getting more exercise, avoid standing for long periods of time and learning proper lifting techniques can strengthen the back areas or eliminate strain on the hernia.

Inguinal hernias are protrusions of soft tissue, such as a portion of the intestine, through a weak spot in a muscle, usually in the abdominal wall. Inguinal hernias occur where the abdomen meets the thigh in the groin region. Since hernias are weaknesses or tears in the wall of the abdomen, sometimes they are referred to as ruptures. See similar questions...

Hernias produce different symptoms or feelings. Sometimes you'll notice a protrusion in your groin area between the pubis and the top of the leg or feel pain when you strain during urination or a bowel movement or when you lift a heavy object. The pain can be sharp and immediate. See similar questions...

Most inguinal hernias in adults occur due to the strain on the abdominal muscles, which are weakened by age or by congenital factors. The types of activity associated with the appearance of an inguinal hernia include chronic constipation causing a strain on the abdomen while on the toilet; gains in weight causing an increase in pressure on the abdominal wall; lifting heavy objects; repeated attacks of coughing; and finally, sudden twists, pulls or muscle strains. See similar questions...

Today surgical techniques are available that cause much less pain and discomfort than ever before. Fortunately, hernias are conditions that can be treated with this new technology. In fact, use of these new techniques has been so successful with hernia repairs, that most persons are only out of work for 7 to 10 days and are eating and functioning normally in three weeks. See similar questions...

Symptoms of inguinal hernias differ. The onset is sometimes gradual, having no other symptoms other than the development of a bulge. Other times, the hernia will occur suddenly with a feeling that something has "given way," coupled by pain or discomfort. Signs and symptoms of inguinal hernias include visible bulges in the scrotum, groin, or abdominal wall; a feeling of weakness or pressure in the groin; a burning feeling at the bulge; and lastly, a gurgling feeling. See similar questions...

You'll have a physical exam with a doctor, complete a medical history questionnaire and talk with the doctor about your symptoms. See similar questions...

Inguinal hernias, which occur when tissue bulges through the abdominal muscles and into the groin, are caused by: opening in the passage from the abdomen to the genitals (called the inguinal canal) that should close before birth but does not. Conditions that increase pressure within the abdominal cavity, such as frequent coughing or being overweight, may contribute to the development of hernias. See similar questions...

A hernia, an abnormal bulging of the internal organs, can develop in many areas of the body, but it often develops in the intestine. See similar questions...

In operating an recurrent defects, the genetic surgical principal is to perform as little overall dissection as possible. Accordingly, routine attempts to identify fused anatomic layers are not made. Unlike primary repairs, with a recurrent hernia the spermatic cord is not routinely mobilized since attempts at such mobilization can cause damage to an already compromised cord, In indirect recurrent hernia. See similar questions...

Injury to surrounding structures, such as testicular vessels or vas deferens, possibly leading to the need for removal of the testicle See similar questions...

Unless you are a doctor, do not try self-diagnosis. The reasons are many, including that there are several possible symptoms, some or none - or any mixture of which you may have and may detect. However, what you have might be something else entirely and by you thinking (perhaps incorrectly) that you can diagnose it as a hernia, you may be putting something else at great risk of going untreated - perhaps with dangerous consequences. See similar questions...

It was bound to happen to me eventually - inguinal hernias are often congenital. My dad had an inguinal hernia on both sides, and he never lifted anything heavier than a beer. Heavy weight training may have caused it to happen a little sooner, but it would have happened eventually even if I had continued to live a sedentary lifestyle. Being in good shape allowed for a very quick recovery - my surgeon was impressed! Back to index People who work out and lift weights are compensating. See similar questions...

A ventral hernia usually occurs in the abdominal wall because of a weakening due to a previous surgical incision. The result is a bulge or tear in the abdominal wall that allows a balloon-like sac to form in the weakened area. See similar questions...

All the names of the different hernias really relate only to where they are on the body, a rough guide to which is shown here. Spigelian hernia is much less common than others, but is - nevertheless - still a hernia in the abdominal wall, slightly to the side of the upper abdomen. It is, like the others, an opening of a 'window' in the wall tissue which needs to be closed by surgery. See similar questions...