What are they?

A hernia or herniation is the abnormal bulging, ballooning, or protrusion of a body structure –part of an organ or tissue area – through the normal boundaries that surround it.   The herniation may push through or against other organs or organ structures, causing problems and symptoms.

Hernia is a word most commonly used to refer to an abdominal hernia, in which a section of the intestines protrudes through a weakness in the surrounding muscle wall of the abdomen.  A soft bulge is often visible underneath the skin where the hernia has occurred, often on the lower belly area. 

Hernias differ primarily by their location:

• An inguinal hernia occurs in the lower pelvis, groin, or scrotum area, and is the most common type of hernia.

• A femoral hernia appears in the thigh.

• An incisional hernia can occur through or near the area of incision from a previous abdominal surgery.

• An umbilical hernia occurs around the belly button.  (Umbilical hernias are more common in newborns.  The muscle wall may not close fully in these babies, who have small intestinal bulges that are easily repaired by a pediatric general surgeon.)

 

What are causes and risk factors for abdominal hernias?

The abdominal weakening may be present at birth or may develop later in life.   An individual may be born with a disposition to suffering a hernia later in life.  The abdominal wall in the adult can gradually become weakened due to aging, repetitive small strains or injuries, or highly strenuous acts such as lifting heavy objects at the waist. 

Even factors such as chronic coughing, straining on bowel movements, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, obesity, or pregnancy increase the changes of tearing the abdominal wall in a way that may create an opening for a hernia.

Abdominal hernias are more common in men but anyone at any age may experience this condition.

 

What are symptoms of abdominal hernias?

Pain during any movement involving the lower abdominal muscles is the primary sign of an abdominal hernia; however, such pain can also be due to other causes, including abdominal muscles that are strained or otherwise injured.  Patients may, for example, feel this pain when they sit up, when they lift an object, or when they cough.  A bulge that can be felt or seen is the other telltale for an abdominal hernia.  In some cases, the discomfort and bulging may be in the groin or scrotum.

However, other hernias may not create any symptoms.  Sometimes a patient’s physician will discover such hernias incidentally when examining the patient’s abdomen.

 

How are abdominal hernias diagnosed?

Normally, a physical exam by a doctor is sufficient to conclusively identify a hernia.  The physician will use gentle pressure to assure that the herniation can be pushed back in and is not trapped within the abdominal opening.

 

How are abdominal hernias treated?

Hernias do not pose a significant danger in and of themselves.  But if hernias are left untreated, they can enlarge and become more serious.  Potential for inflammation, disruption, or strangulation of (blocked blood flow in) the GI tract is present in severe cases.  A loop of the intestine can become trapped in the muscular opening causing a blockage in the digestive tract.  For this reason, physicians will normally recommend correcting hernias through surgery.