Patient's question:
Recently, I've been experiencing stomach pain. I've visited many hospitals, and some said it's a hernia, while others said it's lymphatic blockage. Could you please explain the difference between an inguinal hernia and a hydrocele?Doctor's answer:
Many newborn babies are prone to inguinal hernia, a condition that is very common in daily life. After the baby is born, the abdominal muscles separate, so babies under one year old are most likely to experience recurrent inguinal hernia. However, if the baby's inguinal area has not gradually separated after birth, it may cause a small segment of the intestine to protrude through the inguinal canal into the scrotum, leading to the recurrence of inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernia usually causes a soft swelling in the scrotum. A varicocele is also a common condition in infants and young children and is often referred to as hydrocele in the medical community. Under normal circumstances, this condition gradually disappears as the baby grows, and the body eventually heals on its own. However, if the baby gets older, but the varicocele condition has not fully healed, surgery may be required for treatment.