A hernia can be very painful – in fact, it’s not something to be taken lightly. It is, after all, a sort of rupture whereby a certain muscle or lining is torn and other tissue (such as a portion of the intestine) protrudes through the gap. Inguinal hernia is the most common type; this is where the abdominal area meets the thigh in the groin area.
Fortunately, despite the fact that hernias can be very painful, solving the matter is relatively easy, and most hernia surgeries are performed quickly – usually the patient can go home the same or the very next day, and after a week the stitches can be removed. Depending on the success of the recovery, patients can usually resume within a few days or week with their normal activities. Here are all the facts you should know about inguinal hernia and its treatment.
The symptoms of a hernia
People suffering from hernia may experience the following symptoms:
- A lump in the groin area – it may not be apparent at all times, usually more often when standing or stretching that particular area
- Pain in the area, especially when stretching
- Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
- A heavy or uneasy feeling when bending over
- Constipation
- A feeling of weakness or pressure in the groin area
How a hernia is treated
The hernia can be treated with an operation, which could be done in one of two ways. Either there is open hernia surgery (wherein one large incision is made) or there is laparoscopic surgery (wherein several small incisions are made to insert several tools for the operation).
Direct and indirect inguinal hernia
Direct inguinal hernia is more common, and occurs when organs break through the abdominal wall. In indirect hernia (almost exclusively with males), the organs protrude further and enter the scrotum.
Preparations to make
Your physician will advise you on your diet before the surgery (no eating or drinking) as well as other preparations to make before committing to the surgery.
Your specialist will also advise you on what to do after the surgery – usually the patient is able to go home the same or the very next day, and the patient should be picked up at hospital or clinic by a relative or friend. After surgery, the patient may not be allowed to perform ordinary tasks right away – there is usually a few days of rest and relaxation required, so assistance in this regard (chores around the house, cooking, and so on) should be scheduled to minimise the patient’s efforts. However, the patient should be able to get the stitches (if any) removed after about a week, and resume normal activities soon, as confirmed by a hernia surgery in Surrey expert from the London Surgical Group.