Qu’est-ce qu’une hernie bilatérale, connaître ses causes, ses symptômes, son traitement

La hernie bilatérale  est une affection dans laquelle les deux côtés de l’abdomen sont affectés par la hernie survenant dans l’aine, appelée hernie inguinale. Par conséquent, une hernie bilatérale se présente avec une hernie inguinale des deux côtés de l’os pubien ou dans les deux aines. Les symptômes d’une hernie bilatérale peuvent être prédominants chez certains, tandis que d’autres peuvent ne rien ressentir de plus qu’une lourdeur dans l’abdomen. Les causes de la hernie bilatérale sont les mêmes que celles de la hernie inguinale ; cependant, ils peuvent varier d’une personne à l’autre.

Les hernies sont causées par l’affaiblissement ou le surmenage des muscles. Une hernie bilatérale peut se développer rapidement ou prendre beaucoup de temps à se développer, selon sa cause. N’importe qui peut souffrir d’une hernie inguinale bilatérale, mais en Amérique, elle est plus fréquente chez les hommes que chez les femmes.

Étant un type de problème extrêmement courant, la hernie bilatérale n’est pas douloureuse au début. Cependant, avec le temps, le point faible commence à se développer et le patient trouve douloureux même d’effectuer des actes simples comme éternuer, tousser ou soulever un objet. Une hernie bilatérale peut être dangereuse car les structures de l’abdomen, comme les intestins, peuvent être piégées, coupant ainsi leur apport sanguin. Le traitement de la hernie bilatérale est important pour éviter de telles complications.

Men and women are biologically different, hence conditions like bilateral hernia also occur differently. In men, the weak spot is mostly found near the inguinal canal. This canal is the place where the spermatic cord goes inside the scrotum. However, in women, a ligament is carried by the inguinal canal which is helpful in holding the uterus in place. The bilateral hernia in women occurs at the place where connective tissues from the uterus get attached to those tissues which surround the pubic bone. The causes of bilateral hernia in men and women depend on the strain caused in these areas that can result in inguinal hernia on both sides.

• When the abdomen experiences increased pressure of any sort, it increases the chances of bilateral hernia. The main causes of bilateral hernia include
  When the increased pressure in the abdomen combines with an already existing weak spot present in the walls of the abdomen, either due to injury, surgery, defects or other causes. If the abdominal walls become weak after an injury or any other kind of abdominal surgery, it too can cause bilateral hernia later in life.
• Indulging in a lot of strenuous activities, like lifting heavy weights, certain occupations, sports, etc. can increase the risk of bilateral hernia. Bilateral hernia can be caused when a person lifts a lot of heavy objects without stabilizing the muscles of his abdomen first.
• Excess straining or exerting pressure during urination, constipation and bowel movements can increase the risk of bilateral hernia. Chronic sneezing or coughing which increases intra-abdominal pressure and can lead to bilateral hernia. This is even worse if accompanied by smoking.
• In some cases, the abdominal lining known as peritoneum does not close properly at the time of birth resulting in weak abdominal walls in the future, increases the chances of inguinal hernia.
• As a person ages, his chances of suffering from bilateral hernia increases by as much as 40 percent. Pregnancy is also a known cause for bilateral hernia.
• When a person does not consume nutritious food, the muscles of the body begin to get weak due to poor nutrition and can result in conditions like bilateral hernia through weak abdominal spots.
• Obesity is one of the biggest causes of bilateral hernia. Statistics reveal that 70 percent of obese American adults run the risk of getting hernia in their abdominal region.

Some of the most common symptoms of bilateral hernia are mentioned below:

• Swelling in Both the Groins – The area beneath the groin or abdomen’s skin on both sides swells up immensely resulting in a bulge and is quite obvious when a person coughs. However, this swelling disappears when the patient lies down but the area continues to feel tender for some more time.
• Heaviness in Abdomen and Groins – The abdomen feels heavy and this may be accompanied by blood in the stool or bowel problems such as constipation. The groin or abdomen area feels uncomfortable when the patient bends over, coughs or lifts up an object. Feeling of heaviness or dragging sensation in the groin region. These symptoms of bilateral hernia may be relieved on lying down.
• Pain and Pressure – Bilateral hernia may present with symptoms of aching or burning sensation in the swollen area. The groin area may feel weak and pressurized. The testicles can experience occasional pain and swelling.

• Heals With Time – In some cases, where the bilateral hernia is small in size and also painless, it heals on its own with time and immediate surgery option may not be required for the treatment. However, if the hernia becomes larger and causes discomfort then surgical correction is the only option for treatment of such bilateral hernia.
• Changes in Lifestyle – This is an ideal treatment option for bilateral hernia. Lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy body weight, eating small meals throughout the day and not bending or lying down after eating a meal can help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with bilateral hernia. Consuming a regular diet, with adequate fiber, plenty of water and regular bowel movements are important for bilateral hernia treatment with lifestyle changes. Avoiding activities that cause strain on the abdomen, lifting weight and other straining movements must be avoided.

One of the most common surgeries carried out in America is that of hernia with more than 800,000 people going with surgical treatment of hernia. Surgical treatment option for bilateral hernia involves removal or annual repair of the herniated part. Taking less than 60 minutes in most cases, a surgical treatment option for bilateral hernia is considered to be the last option if nothing else works.

The surgeon makes a cut or incision in the groin area and removes the hernia sac. When this is done, the muscles are strengthened with the help of stitches while all the weak spots are covered by inserting a synthetic mesh in the affected area. An advanced method of performing this surgery for bilateral hernia is minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery which is also known as key-hole surgery.

Your surgeon will be able to decide which method would suit your problem best. Surgeons also try to repair the defect in the abdominal wall if the hernia is repairable thereby decreasing the complication risk of strangulation or bowel incarceration.

Bilateral hernia is common in Americans and in most cases; it is nothing to worry about. If your doctor feels that surgical treatment of bilateral hernia is the best option for you, it may be with the aim to prevent any further complications. In some cases, the doctor also repairs the weakened walls of the abdomen, curing the problem once and for all.

The possible treatment options for bilateral hernia must be discussed with your doctors. Based on the unique causes and symptoms of bilateral hernia, your doctor will be able to decide the best bilateral hernia treatment that suits your case.

Si vous ressentez une bosse ou un gonflement au niveau de l’aine ou du bas de l’abdomen, consultez immédiatement votre médecin. La hernie bilatérale est complètement traitable avec un traitement rapide.