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Why is the risk of inguinal hernia in men as high as 90%? Do you know the reason behind it?
An inguinal hernia is a weakness in the abdominal wall that allows the contents of the abdominal cavity to abnormally slip into a narrow tube called the inguinal canal. This condition is very common, especially in men, who are surprisingly at a 90% risk of inguinal hernia. The reasons behind this not only involve physiological structure, but are also closely related to factors such as living habits and age.
Inguinal hernias account for 75% of all hernia surgeries, making them the most common type of hernia in the United States.
According to statistics, newborns and men over 40 are particularly prone to this condition. This is due to changes in the elasticity of the abdominal wall caused by natural development and aging. Many men develop underlying weaknesses in childhood. If not repaired in time, this weakness may gradually worsen as they age.
Symptoms and diagnosis of inguinal hernia
Symptoms of an inguinal hernia may include the appearance of a small lump in the groin area that may disappear when lying down but reappear with physical activity, coughing, or straining to have a bowel movement. Patients may also experience pain or discomfort, especially when lifting heavy objects. For some hidden (occult) hernias that go undetected by routine physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be more effective.
Inguinal hernias may be asymptomatic or they may cause obstruction of intestinal flow or blood flow, leading to a potentially dangerous situation.
In some cases, a hernia may progress to intestinal incarceration or strangulation, which are conditions that require emergency surgery. Many patients will consider surgery based on the level of pain and its impact on their daily activities.
Surgical options and techniques
At present, the main way to treat inguinal hernia is surgery. Open or laparoscopic surgery options are available. The choice of surgery depends on the patient's health, severity of symptoms, and the physician's technical proficiency.
The surgery has a high success rate, and most patients experience improved quality of life after surgery.
Open surgery has the option of using synthetic or biological mesh materials to repair weaknesses in the abdominal wall. On the other hand, non-mesh repair methods are more suitable for patients who are at higher risk. Laparoscopic surgery is becoming more and more popular among surgeons because of its small incision, less bleeding and quick recovery.
Interdisciplinary surgical repair may have fewer complications than open repair, according to international research.
Potential complications and prognosis
Although surgery is generally safe, there are some risks, including symptoms such as bleeding, infection, or chronic pain after surgery. The prognosis varies depending on the patient's specific condition, but most patients gain good quality of life and exercise ability after surgery.
It should be noted that for premature infants, the timing of postoperative recovery will affect the recurrence rate of hernia. In addition, men may face risks such as sexual dysfunction after surgery, which is important information that doctors need to inform patients before performing surgery.
There are approximately 20 million inguinal hernia surgeries worldwide every year, and the number in the United States is as high as 800,000.
Only about 10% of all inguinal hernia cases are female. Does this mean that men need to pay more attention to their health and have regular check-ups to detect potential problems early?
