Methods of treatment and diagnosis of inguinal hernia.

The clinical picture of an inguinal hernia can develop in different ways. In some cases, it appears suddenly, in others it becomes protracted.

The symptoms of the protrusion are as follows:

• the appearance of a small tumor in the groin;
• constant or episodic pain in the lower abdomen;
• constipation, flatulence;
• delayed or increased frequency of urination;
• pain in the urethra;
• discomfort when walking.

You should immediately seek medical attention if you experience nausea, vomiting, a sharp rise in temperature, or gas obstruction. These symptoms may indicate the onset of appendicitis or strangulated hernia.

Diagnosing the disease is usually not particularly difficult. The first thing the surgeon should do is to palpate and question the patient. During a physical examination, the tumor can be seen with the naked eye. At the same time, an assessment is made of the size of the protrusion and the possibility of reduction without surgery.

To confirm the initial diagnosis, the following is performed:

• irrigoscopy (X-ray of the colon). To do this, it is necessary to completely cleanse the intestines, 6-7 days before, exclude from the diet any foods that contribute to abundant gas formation. It is allowed to eat small portions of boiled or steamed meat;
• herniography (examination of the peritoneum). To study the hernia, a contrast agent is introduced, which is clearly visible using the X-ray method;
• ultrasound examination. To clarify the location of the source, ultrasound of the scrotum, pelvis and bladder is used;
• cystoscopy. The procedure is performed by inserting a cystoscope into the bladder through the urethra.

After conducting all the necessary studies, the doctor can rule out lymphadenitis, varicocele and hydrocele, which have similar symptoms.

The main cause of the pathology is considered to be the effect of high intra-abdominal pressure. In this case, a defect of the inguinal canal is formed. The risk group includes people with:

• overweight;
• long-term cough (smokers);
• gastrointestinal disorders (constipation).

Frequent lifting of heavy objects, sudden sneezing, allergy attacks or pregnancy also increase the risk of developing the disease.

There is only one treatment for a hernia - surgery. There is no effective drug therapy. Usually, the doctor prescribes a planned operation to cut off the hernial sac and sew in a reinforcing mesh. The types of hernioplasty differ in the method of access to the affected area.

• Endoscopic - through small punctures using special instruments.
• Obstructive - through a skin incision of 3 - 5 centimeters.
• Lichtenstein - through an incision of 10 - 11 cm.

After the operation, relapses are extremely rare (no more than 4%), recovery of working capacity occurs within a few weeks.

You can avoid the occurrence or recurrence of the disease by doing simple exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles. Gymnastics or yoga are ideal for this. It will also not be superfluous to organize a proper, balanced diet, give up bad habits that adversely affect health (nicotine, alcohol), lose weight and avoid the occurrence of conditions of increased pressure in the abdominal cavity (cough, fecal obstruction).