Ask The Doctor

Dear Ask The Doctor: I'm 22 and recently some sort of under skin (dont know what) started showing on my right testicule.not always, it just appears when i get depressed or really angry or i lift heavy things.it makes me yellow and very tired when it appears.on touch it feels firm and hurts a little bit. and suddenly it just disappears as if nothing happened. it started about a year ago.there no definit time of when it appears or how long it stays.it just does. is it a start of a hernia? please advise.

Dear Qwerty: Based on the symptoms you have described it seems you may indeed have a hernia. However, any testicular swelling in a young male should be thoroughly examined and investigated by a doctor. You should have the swelling assessed by a doctor to determine if it is a hernia and then institute the appropriate treatment. Hernias should not be left unattended as they can become complicated requiring hospitalization and emergency surgery.

Uncomplicated hernias are most often treated by out-patient surgery, that is, the patient may be allowed home on the same day that the procedure is performed. Recovery time is relatively short.