An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue pushes through a weak spot in your groin muscle. This causes a bulge in the groin or scrotum. usually a part of the intestine, protrudes through the abdominal wall into the inguinal canal.

Causes

Inguinal hernias are caused by a weakness in the abdominal wall. In some people, this weakness is congenital, which means it is present at birth. In others, it develops over time, as a result of excessive weight gain or loss, physical activity that places pressure on the abdomen, pregnancy, straining during bowel movements because of constipation, straining during urination because of an enlarged prostate, or chronic and intense coughing. You are more likely to get a hernia if you are overweight or you do a lot of lifting, coughing, or straining. Hernias are more common in men.

Symptoms

An inguinal hernia causes a bulge in the groin area, which can extend to the scrotum in men. This type of hernia is often painless, but may be tender and can cause discomfort during any type of physical strain, such as lifting or coughing. Men may feel a heaviness around the scrotum. The bulge may disappear when the patient is lying down, and be more visible when standing up. A hernia can often be pushed gently back into place. This is called a reducible hernia.
You may have sudden pain, nausea, and vomiting if part of the intestine bulges outside the abdomen and becomes trapped (incarcerated) in the hernia.

Treatment

If the hernia is causing only slight discomfort and can be pushed back, the doctor will recommend that the patient wear a supportive garment called a truss. A truss is a device that puts pressure on the hernia and holds it in.
Hernias that are painful and can't be pushed back are treated surgically. There are two surgically procedures available for the treatment of inguinal hernias - open surgery or laparoscopy.