A hernia occurs when a fatty tissue or organ squeezes through a weak spot in a connective tissue or surrounding muscle. Inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia because all people have inguinal canals. In females, each canal is the location of passage for the round ligament of the uterus, while in males, the testes normally descend through their canal by around a few weeks before birth.
As a female, if you have a hernia in or near the passageway, it then results in a protruding bulge which may be painful while moving. In most cases, many people do not seek treatment for this type of hernia because it may be small or not cause any symptoms. Nevertheless, immediate medical treatment can help prevent further discomfort and protrusion.
In inguinal hernia, the bladder or intestine protrudes into the inguinal canal or through the abdominal wall in the groyne. Most of the groyne hernias are inguinal, and occur in the majority of men because of a natural weakness in the area.
There are two major types of Inguinal hernia which are direct inguinal hernia and indirect inguinal hernia. The two major types of inguinal hernias are discussed here.
Understanding the difference between a direct and indirect inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernias often appear after increased abdominal pressure, such as lifting a heavy object or straining. They are often linked to a weak spot in the abdominal wall that can be present right from birth, injuries, or may develop over time.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has stated that men are more predisposed to inguinal hernia. Both types of hernias cause a chunk on each side of the pubis. Below are some of the differences between a direct hernia and indirect hernia;
- A direct inguinal hernia often occurs in adults as they age, while an indirect inguinal hernia often occurs in infancy and may be due to congenital condition.
- A direct hernia generally occurs once the abdominal muscles are weak, while an indirect hernia occurs when a part of the abdominal muscle tissue fails to close up while the baby is still in the womb.
- The risk factors for direct hernia may be due to having a condition that leads to chronic coughing, being a man, having a low body mass index (BMI), family history of hernias, smoking, or having collagen vascular disease. There are no genuine risk factors for growing an indirect hernia, other than being a man.
- A direct inguinal canal cannot go down to the scrotum, whereas an indirect inguinal canal can easily go down.
It is important to see a doctor if you notice any symptoms of hernia in any area of your body. Book an appointment to speak to a doctor on Doctall immediately.