{"id":4055,"date":"2019-02-20T05:33:30","date_gmt":"2019-02-20T05:33:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=4055"},"modified":"2020-06-08T07:56:42","modified_gmt":"2020-06-08T07:56:42","slug":"10-pretty-uncomfortable-inguinal-hernia-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/10-pretty-uncomfortable-inguinal-hernia-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Pretty Uncomfortable Inguinal Hernia Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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An inguinal hernia is a hernia that affects the lower abdomen or upper groin area. Of course, a hernia is caused by a bulging organ. This occurs when the muscle tissue that normally encases that organ and holds it in place gets damaged or weakens. The organ is then able to break through that wall, and then bulge outwards \u2013 causing immense pain to the individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inguinal hernia is the most common hernia and is the one we most often associate with the condition. It tends to appear suddenly as the muscles in the abdomen tear, and is most common in men. Inguinal hernia accounts for 70% of all hernias. Where the hernia appears in the groin, it is affecting the inguinal canal \u2013 the area that the spermatic cord passes through to travel between the abdomen and scrotum. This cord is responsible for keeping the testicles in position and the uterus in women. The reason the condition affects men more commonly though, is that in some cases the canal does not close in men when the testicles descend \u2013 which leaves a weakened area that is susceptible to hernia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we\u2019ll look at 8 very uncomfortable symptoms of an inguinal hernia that can help you to identify the condition early on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Sudden Blinding Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, a hernia can often come on suddenly \u2013 and particularly an inguinal hernia. In the case of an abdominal hernia, that pain is likely to accompany a movement of some sort. You may be trying to lift something very heavy, or you might be contorting into an uncomfortable or unusual angle. Either way, this is enough to cause a tear or weakness in the muscle, allowing the organ to burst through and then applying severe pressure as that organ is \u2018strangled\u2019 by its position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the case of hernias in the lower canal though, there may be no obvious \u2018trigger\u2019 or event that causes the condition \u2013 as this is a result of an underlying vulnerability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Constant Blinding Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You will find that once the hernia occurs, the pain is constant and many describe it as \u2018blinding\u2019. That is to say that the pain is all-encompassing and entirely distracting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may find that this pain subsides somewhat when you push on the hernia. This will help to return the protruding organ to its correct position, thereby reducing the pressure being placed on it by the organ, and helping to ease the discomfort. This is a sure sign that the pain is being caused by a hernia and not a torn muscle or similar. The fact that the bulge moves at all is another very sure sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might also find that you can ease the discomfort a little by taking analgesics, and by using a warm compress. Make sure that the compress is warm and not hot however, as you don\u2019t want to damage the organ by applying to much heat to it directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Pain When Moving, Sneezing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find that you experience constant discomfort when you have a hernia and that this is a sharp pain that is impossible to ignore. However, this pain is made significantly worse when trying to move and go about your usual business. That\u2019s because \u2013 particularly in the case of an inguinal hernia \u2013 the pain is due to damage to the abdomen. Seeing as we use our abs in pretty much every single movement that we make, it\u2019s impossible to underestimate how difficult this pain and discomfort will be to ignore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can therefore avoid some <\/em>of the discomfort associated with an inguinal hernia by trying to move less and get lots of rest. When you do move, you might find yourself limping, clutching the affected area, and generally losing your usual dexterity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Difficulty Breathing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While pain and difficulty moving might seem like fairly obvious repercussions of having your organ protrude through your abdomen, there are other less obvious symptoms that can be associated with a hernia. One is that you might find it harder to breathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason for this is that you will have a hernia pushing on your diaphragm from underneath. The diaphragm is, of course, the band of muscle that flexes in order to empty and fill our lungs. Therefore, when this band is pushed, it can push on the underside of the lungs uncomfortably. That, in turn, empties out the lungs and means that you will find it very difficult to draw a full breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For these reasons, difficulty with breathing is one of the most common symptoms of inguinal hernia that people miss. This is only true of those affecting the abdominal area, however, and not the groin. You might find that you notice it most when engaging in light exercises \u2013 such as climbing the stairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Acid Reflux<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Acid reflux is caused by food and stomach acid traveling back up the oesophagus through the oesophageal sphincter. This is normally prevented by various factors, but there are a few weaknesses that can cause it to become more likely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this case, you might find that pressure from your hernia is making less room for your stomach and thereby causing food to sit closer to the top of the stomach by the sphincter. This causes it to travel back up more easily, and to thereby enter your throat and chest causing a severe burning sensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many other potential causes for chest pain, so it\u2019s important that you always report this to your doctor. If it is reflux caused by hernia or anything else, then you can try using an antacid such as Gaviscon to address the pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6 Vomiting, Nausea, Dizziness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common type of hernia is the incarcerated hernia. Incarcerated hernias and inguinal hernias are not mutually exclusive, meaning that a hernia can actually belong to both these categories at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essentially, an incarcerated hernia is a hernia that is trapped within the abdominal wall and is strangulated as a result. This means that you can no longer push the organ back inside to alleviate the pain, and it means that the blood supply to the organ in question will be severely compromised. That in turn means you are likely to experience symptoms associated with damage to that organ \u2013 such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or other issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Difficulty With Bowel Movements<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An incarcerated hernia can cause issues with bowel movements also, causing constipation, diarrhea or similar. If you suspect a strangulated hernia, then it is extremely important to be seen by a doctor quickly in order to get pain management and to intervene before permanent, serious damage is caused to the organ in question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other aspects of a hernia can also cause problems with bowel movements. For instance, you might find that you have pain due to the use of the abdominal muscles during movements, or that you can\u2019t sit easily in that position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Muscle Weakness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You might notice a more general dull ache in the days leading up to your hernia. In some cases, as we\u2019ve discussed, a hernia will be caused by general weakness that gives way to a tear or other serious damage that allows the organ to push through the muscle wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this should be the case, then you might notice that the muscle is weakened before eventually giving way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only this, but you will of course also notice weakness in the area once the hernia is in effect. This is due to the tear in the muscle, as well as the general pain felt in the area which will make the muscle difficult to use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that you will also likely feel general fatigue and difficulty in moving generally. This is due not only to damage to the muscle, but also the sheer exhaustion associated with the pain and discomfort that you are feeling and the poor function of the organs. A hernia is a much more \u2018whole body\u2019 discomfort than you might expect then, so it\u2019s crucial that you see a doctor quickly should you notice any of these symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Fainting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is generally well known that severe pain can actually cause loss of consciousness. This is due to the way that serious pain can affect the vagus nerve. This nerve is responsible for controlling our autonomic nervous system and our response to stress, among other things. The stress response is of course closely linked with our breathing and our heart rates, and this is in fact a two-way relationship where each affects the other. Likewise, an extreme surge of pain can trigger a loss of consciousness via the vagal nerve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have ever heard of someone \u2018swooning\u2019 (fainting due to shyness or surprise), then this is effectively the same thing: a sudden change in your excitability has triggered changes in breathing that has, in turn, affected the vagus nerve and thereby caused a total loss of consciousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Tiredness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tiredness can understandably be a feature of an inguinal hernia. This is caused firstly by the constant pain, which can be exhausting in itself. At the same time, it\u2019s important to recognize that this is an injury that the body needs to work hard to repair. In doing so, you effectively require a lot of energy that would normally be put to other uses. Thereby, you should not be surprised to find that you feel sluggish and tired, or that you are more prone to other illnesses, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can also cause brain fog. Brain fog feels like trying to think through a \u2018haze\u2019 and is often accompanied by feelings of depression. This may occur due to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are produced in response to any kind of injury. In other words, a body-wide inflammation can affect not only the area that the hernia is affecting but also the body at-large, including the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Loss of Appetite<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A loss of appetite is an understandable additional symptom of an inguinal hernia. Here, the loss of appetite may be partly due to the reaction to the injury itself. This triggers a stress response as the body sends more blood and oxygen to other parts of the body. Essentially this can suppress a number of other activities, which include the usual digestion and hunger processes. That, in turn, might leave you feeling less hungry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, remember that any acid reflux may be being caused by pressure on the bottom of the stomach caused by the bulge itself. This effectively makes the stomach smaller, leaving less space for food. That, in turn, means you might not be able to eat as much before filling up, and means that you might feel less hungry generally \u2013 effectively operating in a similar manner to a gastric band!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, a loss of appetite can lead to a loss of weight over time. It\u2019s important that you make sure you observe these changes as you can otherwise find yourself with less energy and sustenance that you need in order to heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Swelling Around the Testicles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Swelling around the testicles is caused due to the inflammation of the muscle wall that has been torn as the intestines push their way through. You will notice the bulge itself then, but likewise, you are also likely to notice swelling that affects the groin region surrounding it. This can cause pain in the groin, the lower stomach, or the testicles themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This swelling can be accompanied by a sense of swelling around the area. The bulge itself will likely be more obvious when you are upright, but the swelling is likely to remain constant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is possible to reduce this swelling by applying a cool pack, or by using blood thinner medications such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen. However, you should always consult with your physician before doing this, as it can have interactions with other types of medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Fever<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are several different signs of complications that a patient should have looked at as soon as possible. One such issue is fever. This suggests that the area may have become infected, and the fever is the body\u2019s attempt to drive that infection out. The hernia on its own should not cause fever, and so if you notice this, then you should speak with your physician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, if you notice that the bulge becomes red, purple, or dark in color, then you should be seen to. This can again be a sign of an infection, or it may be that the area itself is being starved of blood and oxygen due to \u2018choking\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Constipation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Constipation is a common and understandable symptom of inguinal hernia, simply because the intestines are protruding through the abdominal wall and so being \u2018pinched\u2019 preventing stool from moving normally through the passages. A little constipation is a normal impact to experience from this type of hernia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if the constipation is total: i.e. if you haven\u2019t had any bowel movements for a significant period of time, then you need to see a doctor. Likewise, if you notice that you haven\u2019t been able to pass any wind, this can also be a sign that things have progressed and you need urgent medical attention.
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