Causes of an inguinal hernia

The causes of an inguinal hernia

The causes of an inguinal hernia can be divided into congenital and acquired.

1. A congenital inguinal hernia exists - as the name suggests - from birth and has its origin as the child matures during pregnancy.
2. The acquired inguinal hernia, on the other hand, occurs after birth, due to weaknesses or excessive or incorrect loading of the inguinal region. The cause of a congenital hernia is usually the persistence of the so-called "Vaginal process ". This is a connection between the abdominal cavity and the groin that exists in the embryo during pregnancy. This connection is normally closed until birth. If this does not happen or only incompletely, intestinal loops can slip through the remaining open channel into the scrotum or labia. If fluid gets into the scrotum instead of intestinal loops, it is a testicular water fracture (hydrocele).

An acquired inguinal hernia, on the other hand, does not develop until after birth, usually in later adulthood. Both a direct and an indirect hernia can be present here. In general, the causes of an acquired hernia can be assigned to several areas:

1. In the course of life it will connective tissue weaker and loses elasticity. This makes the abdominal wall more prone to breakthroughs from within.
2. The other aspect includes excessive and incorrect loading of the abdominal wall. This can be for example Smokers occur where by the frequent to cough and the resulting increased pressure in the abdominal cavity is subjected to increased loads on the abdominal wall. In addition to this indirect effect of smoking, a direct, unfavorable effect of nicotine on the stability of the connective tissue is assumed.
3. Other situations in which the pressure in the abdomen increases also increases the risk of an inguinal hernia - for example when sneezing, defecating or lifting heavy weights - be it in everyday life, at work or during sports. This way you can too constipation or pregnancy contribute to the development of an inguinal hernia.
4. Furthermore, so-called ascites favor - these are Water retention in the abdomen, usually on the floor of a Liver disease - and a Enlargement of the prostateAs it is very common in older men, the development of an inguinal hernia.
5. Genetic influences also play a role: frequent inguinal hernias should make one sit up and take notice, because often there is a genetic weakness in the connective tissue. Finally, ask too Obesity or Rectal tumors possible causes, as both in turn increase the pressure in the abdomen.