1 The essence of the pathology

In general, inguinal hernia is a pathology in the form of an internal organ protruding beyond the abdominal cavity. Outwardly, this phenomenon is characterized by a cone in the inguinal region. Inguinal hernia occurs in men much more often than in women. A defect can occur at any age, but is observed predominantly in older men.

The etiology of the disease is associated with the weakening of connective tissues, ligaments and muscles, which for some reason lose the ability to retain the organ in its place. The reasons for this weakening may be congenital or acquired, as well as local and general. The local mechanism is due to the excessive weakness of the inguinal muscles, which do not retain the organ when the person is simply in an upright position.

Common causes arise outside the inguinal zone, and protrusion of the organ occurs even in the absence of a significant weakening of muscles and ligaments. The main factor: excessive physical activity. In addition to lifting the load, this load can occur with frequent constipation and obesity.

The age factor has a significant effect on the appearance of a hernia. With age, natural aging and tissue degradation take place. There comes a time when they stop coping with their function, which causes the protrusion of the organ even with a small load. In addition to degradation, the lumen of the inguinal ring increases, which is also the cause of hernia in men.

2 Classification of inguinal hernia

Male inguinal hernia is classified, according to the nature of the pathology, into the following types:

1. Oblique type: pelvic organs protrude from the spermatic cord( it is the channel for semen vascularization and includes the blood and lymphatic vessels encased) - the pathology maybe innate or acquired.
2. Straight type: with protrusion, the spermatic cord is not affected, which is explained only by the weakening of muscles and ligaments, it develops extremely slowly and can manifest itself in old age or with obesity.
3. Combined type: characterized by the formation of several unbundled bulges, can simultaneously be present oblique and direct type of pathology.

3 The manifestation of the disease

The main symptom of inguinal hernia is a lumpy protrusion located in the lower abdomen. At the initial stage, such a cone behaves unstably: it clearly manifests itself, then disappears( the organ spontaneously re-enters its place).Bulging occurs usually with physical exertion, severe coughing or strained stool. A person begins to feel a false fullness of the abdomen, there is a pain syndrome with physical activity and in a standing position. In some cases, febrile condition, tachycardia, nausea.

Male inguinal hernia has a number of specific signs. A man feels pain and burning sensation in the groin area. There may be a feeling that the contents of the swelling move into the scrotum. The hernial sac creates problems with urination and defecation, discomfort when walking. Pain syndrome tends to irradiate into the genitals and lower back, and with an increase in any physical activity. Hernia refers to slowly developing pathologies. It can gradually progress for several years until it takes its permanent place and becomes visible visually. At the advanced stages of the disease, a man really feels all the discomfort and psychological impact from the localization of pathology.

The degree of severity of manifestation of pathology is divided into strangled and uncomfortable hernia. When infringed, the return of the bulging organ to its place does not occur, since its part is clamped by the muscle. This condition has more severe symptoms: severe pain, nausea, hiccough, vomiting, stool and gas retention. The presence of such a complication requires surgical intervention.

4 Principles of treatment

Can inguinal hernia be cured? At any stage of the disease, surgical treatment allows the organ to be re-directed. At the same time, the risk of a recurrence of the pathology remains. At the stage of development of pathology, when infringement is not yet detected, it is possible in principle to treat inguinal hernia in men without surgery. The question how to treat an inguinal hernia, the doctor should solve.

Treatment of inguinal hernia without surgery can be based on the following methods: the use of special bandages, medical gymnastics, physiotherapy, metered exercise, medications, folk remedies. These activities can be carried out at home. When using non-surgical methods, the most important condition is that the disease should not be seriously started.

5 Non-surgical methods of treatment

When inguinal hernia is treated in men, it is recommended to use a special bandage belt. He puts on only during the impact of physical exertion to exclude a new protrusion. Always wear a bandage belt should not, as this can cause weakening of the abdominal muscles and back.

Excellent swimming in the fight against pathology is considered swimming, slow running, therapeutic walking. During the procedures, it is advisable to wear a bandage corset. The best way to recover is swimming. The positive effect in this case is determined by strengthening the muscles of the abdominal press.

Therapeutic exercises for inguinal hernia are performed only with the permission of the doctor. By the very impact on the disease, such exercises are considered an effective method of treatment. The complex is aimed at strengthening the abdominal muscles: the straight and oblique muscles develop, the ligaments develop, which increases the mobility of the diaphragm. Standard exercises are performed 3 times a day: in the morning( 25-30 minutes before breakfast), in the afternoon( 35-40 minutes after lunch) and in the evening( 45-50 minutes after dinner).

Standard exercise therapy includes fairly simple exercises:

1. Starting position: lying on the back, hands behind the head, legs bent at the knees - the elbow and knee move towards each other, the number of repetitions is -15.
2. "Scissors" feet in the supine position on the back( arms along the trunk).
3. Exercise "bicycle".

6 Folk remedies

Treatment of inguinal hernia folk remedies is mainly in the form of applications of lotions, compresses, ointments. It should be remembered that warming up the affected area is not allowed. The following folk recipes are recommended:

1. Tincture from field horsetail: flowers( 3 tablespoons) are poured with boiling water( 250 ml) and insist 35-40 minutes, superimposed as a compress in the cooled condition.
2. Pickle of pickled white cabbage is applied overnight.
3. Homemade ointment: vinegar( 100 ml) is mixed with a chicken egg and filled with melted pork fat( total volume - 0.5 liters), the mixture is infused for 5-6 days in a darkened cool place. After that, quail eggs( 2 pieces) and badger fat( 10 g) are added. Everything is stirred and cooled in the refrigerator. It is applied to the hernia site overnight for 30 days.
4. Aqua broth: the plant( 25 g) is poured with water( 200 ml) and boiled for 8-12 minutes, ingested for 1 tsp.before each meal.
5. Tincture of the bark of larch: bark( 5 tablespoons) is poured with boiling water( 1 liter) and infused for 10-12 hours, taken inwards to 200 ml 4-5 times a day( additionally applied as a compress).
6. Cornflower tincture: flowers( 30 g) are poured over with boiling water( 500 ml) and infused 1-1.5 h, drunk before eating.
7. Broth of wormwood: the grass( 30 g) is poured with boiling water( 200 ml) and boiled for 8-10 minutes, it is used as a compress.
8. Compress from the mixture: white acacia flowers, iodine, ammonia, garlic, black bread.
9. Compress of nettle leaves or mush from ground nettle.
10. Tinctar tincture: grass( 20 g) is poured with boiling water( 200 ml) and infused for 2.5-4 h, it is drunk 100 ml 3-4 times a day.
11. Clover tincture: flowers( 20 g) are poured with boiling water( 200 ml) and infused for 1.5 hours, used internally for 60-70 ml 3 times a day.
12. Compress of aloe leaves.
13. Oak tincture: the bark and acorns of oak are filled with red wine and insisted for 20 days, applied as a compress.
14. Tincture of the bricks: the leaves of the bones( 25 g) are poured with boiling water( 250 ml) and infused for 5 hours, then honey( 30 g) is added, applied as a compress.
15. Homemade ointment: golden mustache, plantain and Indian onion are poured into a container of 0.5 liters, to which pork fat is added. Everything is thoroughly beaten with a mixer.

The most effective way to treat inguinal hernia is a surgical operation. However, in the presence of an uncompensated hernia or contraindications to surgery, the disease can be treated at home using folk remedies and gymnastic exercises. It is important not to allow pathology to develop into a complicated form, when surgical intervention becomes inevitable.