Is inguinal hernia in adults dangerous?

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. CKII Phan Phi Tuan - Head of General Surgery Department, Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.

Inguinal hernia is a common problem in men. Initially, the patient felt pain in the groin area, one side of the scrotum enlarged without causing pain, but when the patient limited movement and rested, there was no longer a feeling of pressure in the groin area and the scrotum decreased. Therefore, many people are easily subjective and do not receive treatment.

Inguinal hernia is a condition in which an abdominal viscera leaves its place, through a weak area of ​​the inguinal canal into the scrotum. This is the most common type of hernia in the abdominal wall.
Symptoms of an inguinal hernia include:
A bulge on one or both sides of the groin, which may increase with coughing, or stand up and disappear when lying down. In men, the scrotum may be red and swollen. Discomfort or pain, especially when lifting heavy objects or exercising. The pain may improve with rest. A feeling of pressure in the groin. If the aneurysm cannot be reintroduced, the hernia has become strangulated, requiring emergency surgery. Because internal organs, such as the intestines, can swoop down and get compressed in the hernia, causing obstruction. The blood supply to the intestine trapped in the hernia is impeded, causing ischemia and possibly leading to necrosis and death. The duration of complications cannot be predicted.
People at risk of inguinal hernia are: Elderly people with weak abdominal wall muscles, people who do heavy work, people with prolonged constipation due to frequent high abdominal pressure.... In addition, people with diseases such as spermatic cysts, hydroceles... have a higher risk of inguinal hernia than the general population.

Inguinal hernia in adults is not dangerous, but if detected and treated late, it can cause life-threatening complications.
The most dangerous and common complication is strangulated hernia causing necrosis of the intestine and mesentery. This is a case where the viscera (intestines or mesentery of the intestines) cannot move back to the abdomen, are blocked at the neck of the bag or due to torsion, leading to lack of blood supply, if not timely surgical intervention, the organs will be destroyed.
Besides, many cases also have complications of trapped hernia, because the hernia organ goes down but cannot be pushed up because it sticks to the hernia sac or because the viscera in the bag stick together. Incarcerated hernias often cause a feeling of entanglement, making them more susceptible to injury. Complications of hernia trauma, due to large and frequent descending hernias, trauma from the outside causes contusion, rupture of internal organs...

Does inguinal hernia affect fertility? In fact, if the inguinal hernia is treated early, it can be completely cured and will not affect the fertility of the patient.
When there are clinical signs of inguinal hernia, we need to go to the hospital as soon as possible, if it is true, the early detection and treatment will be much more effective. , to avoid potentially dangerous complications.
Vinmec International General Hospital, with a team of famous medical experts, and the most modern equipment, is the first choice in the early detection and treatment of acute and chronic diseases including: inguinal hernia disease.