Hernia is disease in which the muscle tissue ruptures, allowing the protrusion of a body part. This disease can affect both men and women. This article will provide you with information about hernia symptoms in men, causes of hernia and its treatment.
Hernia is the condition of protrusion of a tissue or an organ in an abnormal way. The laxity of muscles often, weakens the body wall. This allows the protrusion of a tissue or an organ. The most common type of hernia is the abdominal wall hernia. There are some types of hernia, which occur mostly in men.
Causes
Hernia can be caused due to several reasons. Listed below are the factors that lead to hernia:
- Weakness of the abdominal wall
- Heavy lifting
- Fluid in the abdominal cavity
- Prostate-related problems
- Post-surgical problems
- Physical damage due to trauma and accidents
- Irregular bowels
Types
There are many types of hernia. Listed below are the various types of hernia explained in short.
Abdominal Wall Hernia
Abdominal wall hernia is the most common one. In this type of hernia, there is a protrusion of an organ or tissue, from a weak spot in the abdominal wall.
Indirect Inguinal Hernia
Another type of hernia is indirect inguinal hernia which occurs in males. In this disease, there is an abnormal growth of the scrotum.
Direct Inguinal Hernia
Direct inguinal hernia affects both the genders. In this type of hernia, loops are formed inside the groin, which causes it to bulge.
Femoral Hernia
Another type is femoral hernia, which is rare in males. This type of hernia causes a swelling in the groin and the inner part of the thigh.
Umbilical Hernia
Another common type of hernia is the umbilical hernia. In umbilical hernia, the loop of the intestine bulges out from the weak tissues of the abdomen.
Hiatal Hernia
In hiatal hernia, the stomach loops grows and enters the lungs. Incisional hernia occurs if there is an excessive load on the operated tissue due to heavy lifting or coughing. Surgery is required for incisional hernia repair.
Symptoms
We have discussed the causes and types of hernia. Elaborated in this section are the hernia symptoms observed in men.
- Protruding Bulge: Due to the extrusion in the organ, there is a distinctive bulge in the affected area. The bulge looks more prominent in certain postures.
- Pain in Affected Area: Pain is a common hernia symptom in men. One experiences mild, sharp or numbing pain when suffering from hernia.
- Weakness: A patient may experience body weakness during hernia.
- Fever: Many times, there is a rise in temperature in the body during hernia.
- Constipation: In cases of hernia where there is impingement on the intestine, food may get trapped inside the intestine. This may lead to constipation.
- Nausea and Vomiting: In cases of total or partial intestinal block, symptoms like nausea or vomiting may occur.
- Urinary Problems: One experiences urinary problem when suffering from femoral or inguinal hernia. Some of these symptoms may include frequent urination, urinary infection and burning.
- Gangrene: This is one of the extreme symptoms of hernia in males, acting up in case the hernia is not treated on time. An incarcerated hernia leads to the strangulation of the intestine, which may lead to gangrene.
- Discomfort: A person with pain might also experience discomfort. Sometimes, the discomfort can ease off by changing positions.
- Along with these symptoms in males, a patient might also experience symptoms like impotence, and inflammation of the skin of the affected organ.
Treatment for Hernia
My father suffered from abdominal wall hernia for many years. Since the occurrence of the early signs of the disease, he has taken utmost care, even avoiding picking up heavy objects. However, recently his condition became worse and the hernia had to be operated. The best treatment for hernia is a hernia operation, which repairs the affected organ. With advances in medical technology, the hernia operation has become more comfortable; and the hernia surgery complications have reduced. Hernia surgery recovery is also quicker. One can find temporary relief for non-strangulated hernia, by using supports and trusses and by taking precautions like avoiding heavy lifting and strained exercise.
Hernia can happen to anybody and at any age. If you are experiencing any of the above hernia symptoms, seek medical care immediately. The earlier you detect these symptoms, the better. The sooner the treatment, the lesser the time for which you will have to bear the pain and discomfort. To avoid hernia one can observe some precautions like keeping their weight in check, avoiding heavy lifting, avoiding excessive coughing, keeping bowel movements regular and going for regular medical check ups.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
