How Scrotal hernia Affect Men’s Health
Alcohol bitters are not the solution to Scrotal Hernia…
In most communities, it is said that consuming alcohol-based bitters would treat a scrotal or inguinal hernia. This is a strange practice, and the reality is bitters consumption would not treat hernia, else it would lead to other health problems like high blood pressure. Scrotal hernia surgery is the only permanent treatment.
What is a scrotal hernia?
The scrotal hernia is the inguinal hernia that occurs when tissues or part of the intestine is pushed through a weaker spot in the abdominal muscles into the scrotum.
It results in a bulge that is painful, and the pain worsens while lifting heavier objects and during cough. Usually, other hernias are not painful.?
The condition is not considered necessarily dangerous, but it does not improve without getting appropriate treatment. It may lead to life-threatening condition if not treated. The doctors recommend surgery to repair or fix the scrotal hernia, which is painful and is getting enlarged with time. The surgical procedure to treat scrotal hernia called scrotal hernia repair is a common surgery.?
Types of scrotal hernia
The scrotal hernia is a type of inguinal hernia and can be classified as reducible, irreducible, direct, indirect, strangulated, or incarcerated.
Reducible scrotal hernia
A reducible scrotal hernia is a type of hernia in which the abdominal contents that are descended in the scrotum can be reduced back inside the abdominal cavity with an expert push.?
Incarcerated scrotal hernia
The incarcerated scrotal hernia cannot be reduced and hence classified as “irreducible,” which means the descended scrotal contents get stuck and cannot be pushed back into the abdomen.
Strangulated scrotal hernia
The strangulated scrotal hernia is the incarcerated scrotal hernia wherein the neck of the hernial sac is constricted, and that causes a limited supply of blood to the contents of the hernial sac. This condition causes necrosis (death of the tissues) and perforation. This condition of hernia leads to a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate hernial repair surgery.?
Scrotal hernia treatment
Generally, the doctor or any healthcare provider would recommend surgery to treat the scrotal hernia. Most of the time, the scrotal hernia causes symptoms that are evident in adults as well as infants. There are cases in which infants do not show the symptoms evidently, and that can lead to major complications like strangulated scrotal hernia or incarcerated scrotal hernia. These complications lead to either blockage of the hernial sac contents inside the scrotum or there is an obstruction in the blood supply to the scrotum leading to the death of the tissue. These situations are life-threatening and require immediate surgical treatment via scrotal hernia repair surgery.?
If a patient suffering from a scrotal hernia cannot undergo the scrotal hernia repair surgery because of certain health issues that makes the surgery unsafe for the patient, then the doctor decides on considering all the health parameters and weighs the benefits and risk of the surgery for the patient and takes the decision on behalf of the survival and beneficial treatment of the patient.
There can be a situation where the healthcare provider can try massaging the scroll hernia back to its original place; that is called reduction. They may also suggest wearing a belt to prevent further enlargement of the scrotal sac.?
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Scrotal hernia symptoms
There is occasional pain as well as swelling in and around the testes when the part of the intestine descends into the scrotal sac.?
A scrotal hernia occurs in children and newborns due to a weak abdominal wall that usually occurs at the time of birth. It is also noted that scrotal hernia becomes visible in infants only when they cry, cough or strain during bowel movements. Lesser appetite and irritable behavior may also indicate some signs of scrotal hernia.?
Causes of scrotal hernia
In babies, the scrotal hernia may occur if the abdominal lining is not fully developed or doesn’t close during development. The opening that is left gives way to the descending of the abdominal contents into the scrotum.?
In older men, scrotal hernia occurs as a result of their weakened muscles. This type of hernia does not occur in women. It occurs in men due to stress and gradual weakness that allows the descent of part of the intestine into the scrotum. There are many other causes that lead to scrotal hernia like:
How serious is a scrotal hernia
A scrotal hernia is not a serious health condition until it gets strangulated or incarcerated. One should not ignore the signs and symptoms of a scrotal hernia, like pain and discomfort in the groin, a bulge in the scrotum, and swelling near the testicles are major signs that must not be ignored. It is essential to consult a doctor and get the recommended treatment as early as possible.?
What happens if a scrotal hernia is left untreated
It is well known that scrotal hernia does not improve or get better itself. In most cases, the scrotal hernia worsens over time. Leaving the scrotal hernia untreated for a longer time reduces tey quality of life and increases the risk of complications. The risk of worsening scrotal hernia is always higher.?
Scrotal hernia diagnosis
To diagnose the scrotal hernia, the doctor checks the bulge on the scrotal sac, or they will look for the unusually enlarged scrotal sac.?
The doctor may ask to cough or put a strain in cases where scrotal hernia ods not that evident normally.?
Other diagnostic tests for a scrotal hernia include; imaging tests like an abdominal ultrasound, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and CT scan (Computed Tomography scan)?
When to see a doctor
The scrotal hernia may get complicated and need immediate care if the bulge of the scrotal hernia becomes dark-colored, red, or purple. There can be complications like strangulated scrotal hernia that cause vomiting, nausea, fever, sudden intense pain, and inability to pass gas or move bowels.?