Symptoms of an inguinal hernia

introduction

The symptoms of an inguinal hernia range from painless swellings to intestinal obstruction in the case of a trapped hernia. Sometimes pain occurs in a specific area without a break or swelling being palpable. In these cases, another cause (see below) should be ruled out before planning the surgical inguinal hernia treatment.

If there are symptoms of swelling and / or pain in the groin, an inguinal hernia is always considered first as this is the most common cause. However, these symptoms could have other reasons as well.

Symptoms of swelling can be expression enlarged lymph nodes which in most cases are the result of inflammation. Enlarged lymph nodes definitely require further clarification!
After punctures of the inguinal vein (e.g. during Cardiac catheter) can also bruise (Hematoma), which are also noticeable as swellings. Such bruises often have to be treated surgically.
Pain in the groin can be caused by irritation at the point of attachment Thigh muscles on the pelvis. This is often the case after greater exertion of the leg muscles, e.g. after a soccer game.
Another cause of groin pain is problems of the hip joint. Signs of wear ("Hip osteoarthritis") but also the Femoral neck fracture are sometimes diagnosed as the sole symptom of groin pain.

root cause

In embryos there is a natural connection between the abdominal cavity and the groin: Vaginal process.
If this connection does not close around the birth, an innate one arises Inguinal hernia. The parents observe a protrusion in the area of ​​the (or both) groin (s), which is more pronounced when crying, due to the increased pressure in the abdomen, and in most cases is painless.
Under certain circumstances, however, this protrusion can be painful (pressure). In these cases one must at least incipient entrapment can be assumed.

In adulthood, a weaker connective tissue favor the development of the inguinal hernia. This is often the case with the elderly.
In young men, an inguinal hernia develops from excessive physical exertion, e.g. B. at heavy lifting or Bodybuilding.

Symptoms in men

The inguinal hernia is characterized by a mostly sharp pain in the groin area. In addition, a swelling can be felt in this area. This swelling is soft and can usually be pushed back into the abdomen by applying pressure. If intestines, such as parts of the intestine, are trapped, the swelling can be very hard. It cannot then be pushed back into the abdomen. Feeling the swelling causes slight pulling pain. Other symptoms include fever, vomiting, and nausea. In men, the pain partially pulls into the testicles. The testicles may be swollen. Very severe pain, which differs from the symptoms of a "normal" inguinal hernia, only occurs when entrails are trapped.

For more information on testicular swelling, see: Testicle is enlarged and swollen

An inguinal hernia is also known as an inguinal hernia and usually manifests itself with gender-specific symptoms.
This inguinal hernia mostly occurs in men, but it can also affect women.

The symptoms are usually difficult to recognize, as many patients remain completely symptom-free and only complain of severe pain when the bowel is trapped.

The characteristic pulling in the groin region usually only occurs when the hip is improperly rotated and the hernial sac is temporarily pinched or when the hernial sac squeezes nerves as a result of the movement.

However, the patient hardly perceives any pain but rather an uncomfortable pulling in the groin area. However, the symptoms of the inguinal hernia go away once the patient lies down and rests.
The hernia is usually not yet recognizable externally, but the groin region may swell slightly and this swelling is usually palpable (palpable) and can also be pushed away very easily.

Only in the later stage can you see the complete bulge of the hernia and there may be long-lasting pulling in the groin area or pain.

This pain or pulling can radiate into the testicles in men because the inguinal canal and the testicles are connected and an inguinal hernia therefore also causes pulling in the testicle in men.

Read more on the topic: Pulling in the testicle - what can it be?

Symptoms can include not only pulling or pain in the testicle, but also a visible bulging of the testicle.
Especially when carrying heavy loads or when defecating (s. also Pain during bowel movements), the pressure in the abdominal area, which favors the bulging of the hernia, leads to increased symptoms such as stinging or pulling.

Read more on the topic: Drag in the bar

But even when coughing or sneezing or when the patient is breathing heavily, the increased pressure in the abdomen can lead to increased pain in the groin.
The inguinal region often swells further as a result, although this symptom usually disappears as soon as the patient lies down and rests.

But only when the fraction content (so the intestine located in it) becomes trapped, the symptoms will be more severe. These include nausea, fever and vomiting.

Once this stage has been reached, it is always a medical emergency and a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Symptoms in women

The symptoms in women correspond to the general symptoms as can also be observed in men. However, the pain sometimes extends into the Labia.

An inguinal hernia is much less common in women than in men.
With a weak one Pelvic floor muscles however, an inguinal hernia can also occur in women.

Women are particularly at risk after the birth or during the pregnancy because the pelvic floor muscles are often weakened during this period.

The symptoms of an inguinal hernia in women do not differ much from the symptoms in men, but there are gender-specific distinguishing features.
In general, the symptoms of an inguinal hernia are very vague at first. Many patients realize they have an inguinal hernia very late, if at all.

The first symptoms are usually a slight pulling in the groin area. In women, this uncomfortable pulling can pull up to the labia. It usually occurs when you move your hips too much or when you move your hips too big pressure is built up in the abdomen, for example through to cough or by pressing during bowel movement.

If the pressure builds up too much, it can even cause pain. However, it can also be that the symptoms get worse when the patient lifts heavy loads because the pelvic floor muscles are heavily stressed and can no longer balance the load.

This increases the stress on the inguinal canal and thus the pain. Another typical symptom of an inguinal hernia is the slight swelling in the groin area.

This swelling is very soft and easy to push away. Often the swelling and drawing go away as soon as the patient lies down and rest for a while.
In the further course there is then more and more often a pulling and slight pain in the groin area up to the Labia inside.

The protrusion can also be seen more clearly, and the contours of the can even be partially recognized from the outside Hernial sac.
However, an important distinguishing feature of symptoms in women is that the hernial sac cannot be seen in the groin area, as is the case with men.
In women you can see the hernial sac below the groin. Therefore, pain can sometimes also affect the Thigh radiate, but more common are slight pain in the abdominal muscles, as the inguinal canal is also limited by the abdominal muscles.

Therefore, with an advanced hernia, there is also pain in the lower area Abdominal muscles, since nerves that run through the inguinal canal, in this area, the abdominal muscles (Transversus abdominis and oblique muscles internus abdominis) supply.

Inguinal hernia and back pain

Groin pain can result from a change in the Lumbar spine result. Go with it Back pain hand in hand. But they are not a typical symptom of an inguinal hernia.

Typical symptoms of an inguinal hernia are primarily a pulling or slight pain in the groin area.

A very soft swelling in the groin area, which can be easily pressed in, is a characteristic symptom of an inguinal hernia.

Very severe pain in the groin area coupled with Fever, nausea and vomiting, indicate a Entrapment the hernial sac.
If these symptoms occur, a doctor should be consulted, as it is an acute medical one emergency acts because a jammed hernial sac means that the content (Intestines) is narrowed and therefore cannot be supplied.

It threatens Die of the respective intestinal section. These are the classic symptoms of an inguinal hernia.

However, it can also be the result of an inguinal hernia Back pain come.
Back pain is a rare symptom of an inguinal hernia, but it occurs when the hernial sac presses on nerves that innervate the back sensitively.

Here it comes in addition to Pain in the leg, sometimes also to a strong tingling sensation, which can lead to the inability of the leg to move. It is important, however, that symptoms of an inguinal hernia do not necessarily have to go hand in hand with an inguinal hernia.

A severely deformed lumbar spine can lead to the same symptoms as an inguinal hernia.
If the lumbar spine is deformed, the nerve entrapment leads to severe back pain and exactly the same symptoms as with an inguinal hernia.

An important distinguishing feature is that if the lumbar spine is deformed, the characteristic swelling in the groin area is missing. This swelling is almost always an indication of an inguinal hernia.
If it is absent, the symptoms may also be due to a deformed lumbar spine.

Also a damaged one hip joint can cause severe groin pain and back pain.
In order to correctly interpret the symptoms, a medical examination is often required, as it is difficult for the layperson to assess whether the back pain is the result of a hernia or whether a deformed lumbar spine led to the symptoms.

It is therefore important to see a doctor for any symptoms of an inguinal hernia at the first symptoms Entrapment to avoid the hernial sac.