Hernias: Surgery or Not?

Inguinal hernias are quite common in men. They occur in the groin area and are well-known to be associated with improper lifting technique. A hernia of this type is when a piece of small intestines moves through a weakness in the muscular wall of the body. Most do not cause any symptoms like pain or discomfort, and most others cause only mild symptoms.

If a hernia is causing severe pain, or has visibly moved into the scrotum or canal between the abdomen and scrotum (known as the inguinal canal), then surgery may be essential. If sudden, sharp, unrelenting pain occurs in the groin area then emergency care should be sought, as the hernia is said to have incarcerated or gotten blocked. This can be life threatening in very rare cases and should NOT be ignored in hopes it will “go away on its own.”

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