HerniaSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Hernia
A hernia is a sac formed by the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). The sac comes through a hole or weak area in the strong layer of the belly wall that surrounds the muscle. This layer is called the fascia.
Which type of hernia you have depends on where it is:
- Femoral hernia is a bulge in the upper thigh, just below the groin. This type is more common in women than men.
- Hiatal hernia occurs in the diaphragm muscle that separates the chest and abdomen. Part of the upper stomach pushes into the chest.
- Incisional hernia can occur through a scar if you have had abdominal surgery in the past.
- Umbilical hernia is a bulge around the belly button. Most often it occurs when the muscle around the belly button does not close completely after birth.
- Inguinal hernia is a bulge in the groin. It is more common in men. It may go all the way down into the scrotum.
Hernia - inguinal; Inguinal hernia; Direct and indirect hernia; Rupture; Strangulation; Incarceration
- Heavy lifting
- Straining while using the toilet
- Any activity that raises the pressure inside the belly
Hernias may be present at birth, but the bulge may not be evident until later in life. Some people have a family history of hernias.
Babies and children can get hernias. It happens when there is weakness in the belly wall. Inguinal hernias are common in boys. Some children do not have symptoms until they are adults.
Any activity or medical problem that increases pressure on the tissue in the belly wall and muscles may lead to a hernia, including:
- Long-term (chronic) constipation and pushing hard (straining) to have a bowel movement
- Chronic coughing or sneezing
- Cystic fibrosis
- Enlarged prostate, straining to urinate
- Extra weight
- Fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
- Peritoneal dialysis
- Poor nutrition
- Smoking
- Overexertion
- Undescended testicles
There are usually no symptoms other than a visible bulge. Some people have discomfort or pain. The discomfort may be worse when standing, straining, or lifting heavy objects. In time, the most common complaint is a bump that is sore and growing.
When a hernia gets bigger, the small intestine inside it may get stuck in the hole and lose its blood supply. This is called strangulation. This causes pain and swelling at the site of strangulation. Symptoms may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Not being able to pass gas or have bowel movements
When this occurs, surgery is needed right away.
Surgery is the only treatment that can permanently fix a hernia. Surgery may be more risky for people with serious medical problems.
Surgery repairs the weakened abdominal wall tissue (fascia) and closes any holes. Most hernias are closed with stitches and sometimes with mesh patches to plug the hole.
An umbilical hernia that does not heal on its own by the time a child is 5 years old will likely be repaired.
Swedish Thoracic Surgery - First Hill
Dr. Farivar is a multiple time recipient of the Seattle Top Doctor Award and most recently received the 2023 Seattle Magazine Top Doc Award. Dr. Farivar has a broad-based thoracic surgery practice. He enjoys helping patients and their families through their healthcare journey. He takes great effort to incorporate the needs and beliefs of patients and their families in his treatment plans. Dr. Farivar has a particular interest in lung and esophageal disorders, including cancer treatment. He also has interests in the appropriate use of robotic surgery to address thoracic surgery pathology, as well as malignant pleural mesothelioma. Dr. Farivar is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. He is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Hiatal Hernia, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Hernia, Hernia Surgery, and Endoscopy. Dr. Farivar is board certified in American Board Of Surgery and American Board Of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Farivar is currently accepting new patients.
General Surgery Clinic At Lauritzen Outpatient Center
Ivy Haskins is a General Surgeon practicing medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. She has been practicing medicine for over 14 years. Dr. Haskins is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. She is also highly rated in 11 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Hernia, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Obesity, Endoscopy, and Gastrectomy.
Endeavor Health Medical Group
B. Todd Heniford, MD, a surgeon at Endeavor Health, leads the Endeavor Health Comprehensive Abdominal Health and Hernia Center. He specializes in hernia repair and complex abdominal wall reconstruction. With more than 650 publications and experience training surgical leaders worldwide, Dr. Heniford applies evidence-based innovation and a team-based approach to restore strength and function for patients with both routine and complex surgical needs. For credentialing and licensing purposes, this provider’s legal name is Brant Heniford, MD. Dr. Heniford is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hernia. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Hernia, Hiatal Hernia, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Hernia Surgery, and Fasciotomy. Dr. Heniford is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.
The outcome for most hernias is usually good with treatment. It is rare for a hernia to come back. Incisional hernias are more likely to return.
In rare cases, inguinal hernia repair can damage structures involved in the function of a man's testicles.
Another risk of hernia surgery is nerve damage, which can lead to numbness in the groin area.
If a part of the bowel was trapped or strangulated before surgery, bowel perforation or dead bowel may result.
Contact your provider right away if you have:
- A painful hernia and the contents cannot be pushed back into the abdomen by lying down and using gentle pressure
- Nausea, vomiting, or a fever along with a painful hernia
- A hernia that becomes red, purple, dark, or discolored
Contact your provider if you have:
- Groin pain, swelling, or a bulge.
- A bulge or swelling in the groin or belly button, or that is associated with a previous surgical cut.
To prevent a hernia:
- Use proper lifting techniques.
- Lose weight if you are overweight.
- Relieve or avoid constipation by eating plenty of fiber, drinking lots of fluid, going to the bathroom as soon as you have the urge, and exercising regularly.
- Men should see their provider if they strain with urination. This may be a symptom of an enlarged prostate.
Summary: Inguinal hernia is one of the most common conditions requiring surgical intervention in childhood, with a reported lifetime prevalence of 1-4%. With the increasing use of minimally invasive techniques such as PIRS (Percutaneous Internal Ring Suturing) among laparoscopic surgical procedures, perioperative anesthesia and airway management have become a critical area of clinical decision-making. The ...
Summary: The rationale for fetal therapy in severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is to restore adequate lung growth for neonatal survival.
Published Date: September 30, 2024
Published By: Jonas DeMuro, MD, Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery with added Qualifications in Surgical Critical Care, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Poulose BK, Carbonell AM, Rosen MJ. Hernias. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 45.
Salazar JH, Aiken JJ. Inguinal hernias. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 394.