HERNIA

Pressure increase inside the abdominal cavity may force part of the bowel contents through a weak part of the abdominal wall muscles inside a sac (hernia).

According to its location, the hernia may be umbilical (navel), inguinal (groin), scrotal (testicle bag), etc.

Picture 8-8: Inguinal hernia.

In the initial stages of the hernia, a soft rounded lump is noticed under the skin, which is not larger than a walnut at first, but may grow after a few months. It tends to disappear when the patient is lying down, but reappears when standing up or coughing. Usually there is no pain, even though discomfort and tightness are present. Most hernias are able to enter and exit through the hole in the abdominal wall without getting trapped in it.

However, its contents may occasionally get trapped and compressed in the opening, blocking blood flow and causing what is called "strangled hernia" , which requires an urgent surgical procedure. In this case, ask immediately for MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO .

.

Picture 8-9: How to
reduce an inguinal hernia

The patient with hernia has learnt, in most cases, to squeeze the lump inwards. The inguinal hernia may be relocated with soft pressure when the patient is lying down with bent knees (see picture 8-9). If the hernia is painful, the patient must stay in bed until he can be examined on land.

Any hernia must be treated with surgery to correct the weakness of the abdominal wall. In the meantime, the patient must not do any physical work which requires an effort.