Hernia

Summary

A hernia happens when part of an internal organ or tissue bulges through a weak area of muscle. Most hernias are in the abdomen.

There are several types of hernias, including:

• Inguinal, in the groin. This is the the most common type.
• Umbilical, around the belly button
• Incisional, through a scar
• Hiatal, a small opening in the diaphragm that allows the upper part of the stomach to move up into the chest.
• Congenital diaphragmatic, a birth defect that needs surgery

Hernias are common. They can affect men, women, and children. A combination of muscle weakness and straining, such as with heavy lifting, might contribute. Some people are born with weak abdominal muscles and may be more likely to get a hernia.

Treatment is usually surgery to repair the opening in the muscle wall. Untreated hernias can cause pain and health problems.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Encyclopedia

• Abdominal ultrasound Medical Encyclopedia
• Inguinal hernia – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Inguinal hernia repair – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Lump in the abdomen Medical Encyclopedia
• Omphalocele Medical Encyclopedia
• Omphalocele repair Medical Encyclopedia

Genetics

• Abdominal wall defect: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Start Here

• Battling a Bulging Hernia: Don’t Ignore Your Groin Pain National Institutes of Health

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Hernia National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Hernia, Diaphragmatic National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Hernia, Inguinal National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Hernia, Umbilical National Institutes of Health

Patient Handouts

• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair Medical Encyclopedia
• Diaphragmatic hernia Medical Encyclopedia
• Femoral hernia Medical Encyclopedia
• Femoral hernia repair Medical Encyclopedia
• Gastroschisis Medical Encyclopedia
• Gastroschisis repair Medical Encyclopedia
• Hernia Medical Encyclopedia
• Inguinal hernia repair Medical Encyclopedia
• Umbilical hernia Medical Encyclopedia
• Umbilical hernia repair Medical Encyclopedia
• Ventral hernia repair Medical Encyclopedia

Children

• Diaphragmatic hernia repair – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Facts about Gastroschisis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Facts about Omphalocele Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Gastroschisis repair – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Inguinal Hernia in Infants and Children American Academy of Pediatrics
• Omphalocele repair – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Treating Gastroschisis (Gastroschisis Silo) Nemours Foundation
• Treating Indirect Inguinal Hernia (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• Umbilical hernia repair – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia

Specifics

• Epigastric Hernias Nemours Foundation
• Inguinal Hernia National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Umbilical Hernias Nemours Foundation

Find an Expert

• Find a SAGES Surgeon Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Teenagers

• Hernias Nemours Foundation

Treatments and Therapies

• Inguinal Hernia Repair Surgery Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
• Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
• Surgical Mesh Used for Hernia Repair Food and Drug Administration

Journal Articles

• Hernia

Related Issues

• Sports Hernia (Athletic Pubalgia) American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• Treating and Preventing Sports Hernias American Osteopathic Association