An inguinal hernia is a groin hernia where intestine or fat pushes through a weak spot into the inguinal canal, seen as a soft lump that enlarges with standing, coughing, or straining and often reduces when lying down.
Typical symptoms include a dull ache, heaviness, or burning at the bulge; in males, swelling may extend into the scrotum.
Red flags needing urgent care: a tender, non-reducible bulge with sudden worsening pain, redness, nausea/vomiting, fever, or abdominal bloating.
Management: hernias do not heal on their own; small minimally symptomatic cases may be observed, but symptomatic or enlarging hernias are usually repaired (open or laparoscopic mesh), with emergency surgery for incarceration/strangulation.
