HERNIA

A HERNIA OCCURS WHEN TISSUE FROM INSIDE THE ABDOMEN BULGES OUT THROUGH A WEAK SPOT IN THE ABDOMENAL WALL. HERNIAS ARE MORE COMMON IN MEN THAN WOMEN. THEY COMMONLY OCCUR IN THE GROIN AND IN MEN, MAY BULGE INTO THE SCROTUM.

CAUSES OF HERNIAS

#INCREASED ABDOMINAL PRESSURE RESULTING FROM LIFTING HEAVY WEIGHTS. 

#COUGHING.

#STRAINING DURING A BOWEL MOVEMENT.

#IF A WEAK SPOT IN THE ABDOMINAL WALL IS PRESENT AT BIRTH.

SYMPTOMS  OF A HERNIA

THE SYMPTOMS OF HERNIA MAY COME ON GRADUALLY OR SUDDENLY. THEY INCLUDE ;

#FEELING OF WEAKNESS, PRESSURE, BURNING OR PAIN IN THE GROIN OR SCROTUM.

# A BULGE OR LUMP IN THE GROIN OR SCROTUM. THESE BULGES MAY BE EASIER TO SEE WHEN THE PERSON COUGHS AND MAY DISAPPEAR  WHEN THE PERSON LIES DOWN.

# PAIN IN THE GROIN WHEN STRAINING, LIFTING OR COUGHING.

A HERNIA IS CALLED REDUCIBLE IF IT CAN BE PUSHED BACK  INTO PLACE IN THE ABDOMEN. IT IS IRREDUCIBLE IF IT CANNOT. A HERNIA BECOMES INCARCERATED WHEN THE TISSUE BECOMES TRAPPED OUTSIDE THE ABDOMINAL WALL. IF THE BLOOD SUPPLY IS CUT OFF, THE HERNIA IS SAID TO BE STRANGULATED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE TISSUE SWELLS AND DIES. THE DEAD TISSUE QUICKLY BECOMES INFECTED, REQUIRING IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. RAPIDLY INCREASING PAIN IN THE GROIN OR SCROTUM IS A SIGN THAT THE HERNIA HAS BECOME STRAGULATED.

HOW TO PREVENT HERNIA

# USE PROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUES AND AVOID LIFTING WEIGHTS THAT ARE TOO HEAVY FOR YOU.

#AVOID CONSTIPATION AND DO NOT STRAIN DURING BOWEL MOVEMENTS AND URINATION.

# STOP SMOKING, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A CHRONIC COUGH.

SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY IF

# YOU SUSPECT HERNIA  FOR  DIAGNONOSIS AND PROPER TREATMENT.

#IF MILD GROIN PAIN OR UNEXPLAINED GROIN BUMP OR SWELLING CONTINUES FOR MORE THAN A WEEK.

# IF YOU EXPERIENCE SUDDEN, SEVERE PAIN IN THE AREA OF THE SCROTUM OR GROIN.

# IF THE HERNIA CANNOT BE PUSHED BACK INTO PLACE WITH GENTLE PRESSURE WHEN YOU LIE DOWN.