15 Nov Have you noticed a painful bulging in your groin whenever you cough, bend over or lift an heavy object

Have you been ignoring that small bulge in your groin that is now getting larger and actually getting sore and uncomfortable because you feel embarrassed to have someone look at it

If you answered YES to the above, then you could have an Inguinal Hernia
An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. An inguinal hernia isn’t necessarily dangerous but it doesn’t improve on its own, and can lead to life-threatening complications. So don’t ignore it!!!

The signs and symptoms of Inguinal Hernia includes:
A bulge in the area on either side of your pubic bone, which becomes more obvious when you’re upright, especially if you cough or strain
A burning or aching sensation at the bulge
Pain or discomfort in your groin, especially when bending over, coughing or lifting
A heavy or dragging sensation in your groin
Weakness or pressure in your groin
For men, occasionally, pain and swelling around the testicles when the protruding intestine descends into the scrotum

Your Family Doctor is likely to recommend surgery to fix an inguinal hernia that’s painful or enlarging. Inguinal hernia repair is a common surgical procedure.

If left untreated, the contents (intestines) of the hernia may be trapped (incarcerated) in the abdominal wall. An incarcerated hernia can become strangulated, which cuts off the blood flow to the tissue that’s trapped. A strangulated hernia can be life-threatening if it isn’t treated.

Signs and symptoms of a strangulated hernia include:
Nausea, vomiting or both
Fever
Sudden pain that quickly intensifies
A hernia bulge that turns red, purple or dark
Inability to move your bowels or pass gas

Often it is the elderly adults who may not be aware of the worsening bulge of an inguinal hernia, until it is strangulated and they become unwell. 

Like and Share this post with your friends and family so that they can be aware of what an Inguinal Hernia is and seek advice from there Family Doctor sooner than later!