Do You Have Any of These Symptoms?
A soft bulge appearing around the groin
A bulge that recedes or disappears when you press it or lie down
A bulge that appears around the groin when lifting something
Pain or discomfort in the crotch after walking or standing for a long time
Bloating or pain
If the above symptoms apply to you,
then you may have
anINGUINAL HERNIA,also known as a GROIN HERNIA
What Are Inguinal Hernias?
An inguinal hernia is a condition where a hole opens in the groin muscles which causes internal
organs such as the intestines to protrude out of the abdomen. It is often referred to as simply a
"groin hernia".
The word "hernia" technically refers to any situation where an organ protrudes from its normal
location due to an abnormality in the body's structure. An inguinal hernia is a hernia that occurs
in the groin.
A typical symptom of an inguinal hernia is a bulge in the groin that resembles a ping-pong ball. It
swells while standing or exerting force, but the swelling tends to recede while lying down.
Inguinal hernias do not heal on their own and if left untreated, the bulge will gradually grow
larger.
Inguinal Hernias are Common Among Older Men
Inguinal hernias are a common problem for children but also frequently occur in adults, especially
males over the age of 40. When it occurs in adults, the main cause is usually the weakening of groin
muscles due to factors such as aging.
In particular, people who stand at work, are prone to constipation, cough frequently, or have an
enlarged prostate are at an increased risk of developing an inguinal hernia. Pregnant women are also
more likely to develop this condition.
Inguinal hernias are common ailments with some 150,000 people treated for it each year. The number
of potential cases each year is estimated to be between 250,000 and 300,000.
An inguinal hernia is not a rare condition and it occurs in many people.
The Dangers of Leaving an Inguinal Hernia Untreated
When the symptoms of an inguinal hernia are mild, discomfort may occur as the bulge swells but often
there is no pain. However, it is dangerous to ignore an inguinal hernia simply because it isn't
painful.
This is because it can lead to an "incarceration" which can be life-threatening.
What Is a Life-Threatening Incarceration?
In the case of an incarceration, the intestines or other organs can become
"incarcerated" in the opening in the groin muscle in the sense that they cannot be pulled back into
the abdomen.
If incarceration occurs, it can lead to other complications such as intestinal obstructions,
intestinal necrosis, and peritonitis. Conditions such as vomiting and aspiration pneumonia related
to intestinal obstructions or peritonitis related to intestinal necrosis can be life-threatening.
Incarceration is the most severe complication of inguinal hernias and occurs suddenly.
It is safe to say that the most important reason that inguinal hernia treatment is recommended is to
prevent incarceration.
Think You Have an Inguinal Hernia? Set Up a Consultation with Our Clinic
Inquiries regarding English medical consultations are accepted through the specialized company "JMHC."
Please contact us via the page at the following link.
JMHC
https://j-medical-healthcare.com/en/facility/detail/id=750Surgery Is the Only Treatment for Inguinal Hernias
Inguinal hernias do not improve on their own and require surgery to be corrected. There are devices
such as hernia belts and trusses that block the hole, but they are impractical at blocking the hole
continuously while leading a normal life.
There are two main methods for dealing with inguinal hernias. The first is open surgery which involves
a direct incision in the groin and the second is laparoscopic surgery in which an endoscope
(laparoscope) is used.
At our clinic, we mainly use laparoscopic surgery to treat our patients as it involves smaller
incisions and less pain.
Why Many Patients Choose
Our
Clinic
Our clinic is located in the Umeda area of Osaka and specializes in inguinal hernias. We are grateful for the support of the many patients who have come to our clinic from not only all over the Kansai region, but the Chugoku, Chubu, and Hokuriku regions as well.
01
Day Surgery Lets You Get Back to Normal Life
Our clinic treats inguinal hernias with outpatient surgery. Patients come to the clinic on the day of their surgery and walk out afterwards on the same day. No hospitalization is required so patients can be treated with minimal disruption to their daily lives.
02
Smaller Scars and Less Pain with Laparoscopic Surgery
Treatment for inguinal hernias is carried out with laparoscopic surgery at our clinic. Laparoscopic surgery involves accessing the hole in the muscle from behind through three small incisions about five to 10 millimeters wide. It is known for its reduced scarring and pain, as well as a lower risk of chronic pain.
03
Treatment Provided by Specialists
Our clinic is staffed by gastrointestinal surgery specialists certified by The Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery as well as anesthesiology specialists certified by the Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists. Each specialist is responsible for the medical care of our patients.
04
Reliability through Extensive Surgical Experience
Since opening in August 2022, our clinic has performed surgeries on numerous patients with inguinal hernias. As of December 2023, a total of 739 surgeries have been carried out here. Recently, the number of surgeries per month has surpassed 50 and we take pride in our extensive experience.
05
Highly Convenient with Treatment on Weekends and Holidays
Our clinic provides medical care on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays as well as on weekdays. Even busy people who have trouble making time during the week and can only take time off on weekends and holidays will be able to fit a visit to our clinic into their schedules.
06
By Reservation Only so Patients Aren't Kept Waiting
Our clinic operates solely on a reservation system. Because of this, waiting times are short and consultations go smoothly. We not only strive to provide quality treatment but to create an environment where patients can easily receive medical care.
07
Easy to Access Clinic 3 Minutes from JR Osaka Station on Foot
Our clinic is located on the 13th floor of the Osaka Umeda Twin Towers South, a three-minute walk from JR Osaka Station. It is also easily accessible for patients arriving at Osaka Metro Higashi-Umeda Station, Nishi-Umeda Station, and Kita-Shinichi Station on the JR Tozai Line.
Message from the Doctor
Hello, my name is Sena Iwamura and I'm the director of this clinic.
I think a lot of people, even after hearing that they have an inguinal hernia, aren't exactly sure what
it is. An inguinal hernia is a condition in which a hole opens in the groin muscles and organs protrude
through it. Its characteristic symptom is a bulge in the groin that emerges while standing and recedes
while lying down, but in many cases, there aren't symptoms, and people with hernias go undiagnosed
throughout their busy everyday lives.
However, once the dangerous complication of incarceration occurs, patients not only experience severe
pain but may also require emergency surgery for potentially life-threatening situations. The most
important thing is to seek preventative treatment before such a condition develops. Our clinic
specializes in endoscopic (laparoscopic) surgery to perform outpatient surgery for inguinal hernias. I
myself have been performing endoscopic surgeries since starting out as a doctor and currently specialize
in it. Inguinal hernia repair with an endoscope not only puts less stress on the body and allows
patients to get back to life sooner but also has a lower risk of complications such as nerve damage and
chronic pain.
If you are experiencing an inguinal hernia, feel free to contact us anytime.
Osaka Inguinal Hernia Clinic
Director
Think You Have an Inguinal Hernia? Set Up a Consultation with Our Clinic
Inquiries regarding English medical consultations are accepted through the specialized company "JMHC."
Please contact us via the page at the following link.
JMHC
https://j-medical-healthcare.com/en/facility/detail/id=750Treatment Process
STEP 01Reservation
For consultation requests and inquiries, please contact us at the email address below.
sampla@gmail.com
STEP 02Initial Visit (Examination, Treatment Decision)
During the initial consultation, the doctor will examine you and decide on a treatment plan. If you are diagnosed with an inguinal hernia, it is determined that treatment is necessary, and you wish to receive treatment from our clinic, a date for surgery can be scheduled on the same day. (*For some patients, more consultations may be required before surgery due to testing and other reasons.)
STEP 03Second Visit (Surgery Day)
After arriving at the clinic, your physical condition will be checked and you will change into a hospital gown before moving into the operating room. After the surgery, you will be required to get sufficient rest and when we have confirmed that you can drink water and walk on your own, you will be able to leave. If you experience any problems after surgery, please call the emergency contact number we provide you.
STEP 04Third Visit (Treatment Completion)
An examination will be scheduled for about one week after the surgery and if
no problems are found then the treatment is complete.
If there are no abnormalities in your recovery and it is difficult to come to our clinic, we can provide
an online consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
I'm not sure if I have an inguinal hernia. Is it OK to consult a doctor?
It is no problem at all. Inguinal hernias are not the only problems that can occur in the groin and there could be a number of possible issues. When you visit our clinic, we can give you a specific diagnosis based on your medical history and various tests. Feel free to visit anytime.
-
Is it possible for an inguinal hernia to heal by itself?
Symptoms such as the bulge in your groin may disappear for a time, but the fundamental cause of an inguinal hernia will not heal on its own. For a permanent and complete cure, surgical treatment is needed.
-
Is incarceration more likely to occur as symptoms get worse?
Basically, as the condition progresses, incarceration is more likely to occur. The degree of progression can vary from person to person, but if left untreated for several years, a bulge that is initially the size of a ping-pong ball will grow to the size of a tennis ball or even a softball and in men it may descend into the scrotum, causing it to swell. In these situations, the risk of incarceration is higher than usual.
-
I'm worried about same-day surgery for an inguinal hernia. Is it OK?
Inguinal surgery does not put much stress on the body and the anesthesia wears off over a short time, so it is extremely unlikely that your condition will suddenly worsen after returning home. Our clinic takes various measures such as providing painkillers to help you return home safely. In addition, we will provide you with a phone number that you can use to contact your doctor directly in case of emergency after returning home.
-
What should I do if I have any concerns after my third visit is complete?
We encourage our patients to contact us anytime if they have concerns or questions, even after their treatment is complete.
Think You Have an Inguinal Hernia? Set Up a Consultation with Our Clinic
Inquiries regarding English medical consultations are accepted through the specialized company "JMHC."
Please contact us via the page at the following link.
JMHC
https://j-medical-healthcare.com/en/facility/detail/id=750Clinic Information
13F Osaka Umeda Twin Towers South
1-13-1 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka
530-0001
3-minute walk from JR Osaka Station
4-minute walk from JR Kita-Shinchi Station
1-minute walk from Umeda Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line
3-minute walk from Nishi-Umeda Station on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line
2-minute walk from Higashi-Umeda Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line
7-minute walk from Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station
1-minute walk from Hanshin Osaka-Umeda Station
Examination Hours
Reservations & Inquiries
Inquiries regarding English medical consultations are accepted through the specialized company "JMHC."
Please contact us via the page at the following link.
JMHC
https://j-medical-healthcare.com/en/facility/detail/id=750