What is a groin hernia (inguinal hernia)?
Hernia occurs when the groin can no longer bear a strain or pressure. This break in the connective tissue is what physicians refer to as “hernia inguinalis”. The problem is that, once the groin has lost its solidity, a “hole” occurs in the abdominal wall, through which fat tissue and the intestine are gradually forced. The patient feels no pain as long as no nerves are pinched. Usually, the hernia is first noticed as a small bulge appearing in the groin region when the person stands up.
What are the causes of a groin hernia?
Some rare metabolic diseases can result in a degene- rative weakness of the connective tissue, but hernia is most commonly caused by anatomical changes, as muscles and ligaments no longer counterbalance the forces that occur in the groin region. Moreover, the risk of hernia is higher in persons suffering from a congenital weakness of the connective tissue. Previous operations can also perturb the protective reflex of the abdominal muscles, so that sudden pressure can no longer be compensated promptly.
