Inguinal Hernia

What is Inguinal Hernia

Inguinal hernia is when fat or your intestines push through a weak spot in a muscle where your leg meets your lower belly (groin). This causes a rounded lump (bulge). This kind of hernia could also be:

  • In your scrotum, if you are male.
  • In folds of skin around your vagina, if you are female.

There are three types of inguinal hernias. These include:

  • Hernias that can be pushed back into the belly (are reducible). This type rarely causes pain.
  • Hernias that cannot be pushed back into the belly (are incarcerated).
  • Hernias that cannot be pushed back into the belly and lose their blood supply (are strangulated). This type needs emergency surgery.

If you do not have symptoms, you may not need treatment. If you have symptoms or a large hernia, you may need surgery.

Follow these instructions at home:

Lifestyle

  • Do these things if told by your doctor so you do not have trouble pooping (constipation):
    • Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) pale yellow.
    • Eat foods that have a lot of fiber. These include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
    • Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars. These include foods that are fried or sweet.
    • Take medicine for trouble pooping.
  • Avoid lifting heavy objects.
  • Avoid standing for long amounts of time.
  • Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These include cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
  • Stay at a healthy weight.

General instructions

  • You may try to push your hernia in by very gently pressing on it when you are lying down. Do not try to force the bulge back in if it will not push in easily.
  • Watch your hernia for any changes in shape, size, or color. Tell your doctor if you see any changes.
  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

  • You have a fever.
  • You have new symptoms.
  • Your symptoms get worse.

Get help right away if:

  • The area where your leg meets your lower belly has:
    • Pain that gets worse suddenly.
    • A bulge that gets bigger suddenly, and it does not get smaller after that.
    • A bulge that turns red or purple.
    • A bulge that is painful when you touch it.
  • You are a man, and your scrotum:
    • Suddenly feels painful.
    • Suddenly changes in size.
  • You cannot push the hernia in by very gently pressing on it when you are lying down. Do not try to force the bulge back in if it will not push in easily.
  • You feel sick to your stomach (nauseous), and that feeling does not go away.
  • You throw up (vomit), and that keeps happening.
  • You have a fast heartbeat.
  • You cannot poop (have a bowel movement) or pass gas.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.).

Summary

  • An inguinal hernia is when fat or your intestines push through a weak spot in a muscle where your leg meets your lower belly (groin). This causes a rounded lump (bulge).
  • If you do not have symptoms, you may not need treatment. If you have symptoms or a large hernia, you may need surgery.
  • Avoid lifting heavy objects. Also avoid standing for long amounts of time.
  • Do not try to force the bulge back in if it will not push in easily.
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