Doctor's Notes on Hernia FAQ
Hernias occur when part of an abdominal organ or fatty tissue in the abdomen pushes through a weak spot or tear in the abdominal muscles or connective tissues. When the hernia occurs in the groin, it is called an inguinal hernia, which is the most common type of hernia. Other types of hernias include femoral (outer groin), umbilical (belly button), incisional (resulting from an incision), and hiatal (upper stomach).
Symptoms of hernias include
- a lump or tenderness and pressure or pain upon bending,
- coughing, or straining;
- a heavy feeling in the groin or abdomen,
- pain and swelling in the scrotum in men,
- pain with a bowel movement or during urination,
- pain when lifting or moving something heavy, and
- pain later in the day, especially if you have been standing a lot.
In children, a parent may notice a lump when the baby cries or coughs or strains for a bowel movement.
What is the treatment for a hernia?
There are essentially two treatments for a hernia. First is “watchful waiting” and the second is hernia repair surgery. The first treatment is not recommended by many surgeons as a hernia will not usually heal itself; more often, it may enlarge and become more painful and possibly develop complications.
Hernia repair surgery for all types consist of three procedures:
- Open surgery – the site of the hernia is opened, protruding tissue is put back in place and the weakened muscle is closed and stitched back together
- Laparoscopic surgery – same as above, only done through small incisions
- Robotic repair – Done by a surgeon that does laparoscopic surgery by using a robot under the surgeon’s remote control
The best type of surgery is usually determined by the patient’s surgeon.
Stomach Pain : Nausea & Other Causes Quiz

Bowel regularity means a bowel movement every day.
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Hernia
A hernia occurs when part of an organ is displaced and protrudes or bulges through the wall of the cavity containing it. Read about hernia symptoms, types, surgery, complications, and treatment. -
How Do You Fix a Hernia Without Surgery?
A hernia is a protrusion in the body caused by tissue or an organ pushing through a defect in the muscles or connective tissue of the body. Except for umbilical hernias in infants, hernias generally do not go away on their own and you cannot fix a hernia without surgery. Types of surgery to repair a hernia include open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and robotic hernia repair. -
How Serious Is a Hernia?
A hernia, or a tear in muscle or connective tissue wall, nearly always needs surgical repair. How serious it is depends on the location of the hernia and which organs are nearby. -
The Different Types of Hernias
A hernia happens whenever a wall or membrane in the body weakens or ruptures, allowing organs to slip through. These can be painful, but are generally not serious and can be easily corrected with surgery. The types of abdominal hernias include: hiatal hernia, umbilical hernia, or incisional hernia. -
What Does a Hiatal Hernia Attack Feel Like?
A hiatal hernia, a tear or defect in the diaphragm that lets the stomach intrude into the chest cavity, may cause heartburn, cramps, occasional vomiting or trouble breathing.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.