Overview A hernia is a bulge caused by tissue pushing through the wall of muscle that's holding it in. Most hernias are in the belly and groin areas. Common types of hernias include inguinal (Figure 1) , femoral, umbilical, incisional, epigastric, and hiatal (Figure 2) .
Inguinal hernia An inguinal hernia bulge in the groin or scrotum (Figure 3) . You may also feel pain, pressure or burning, or a feeling that something has "given way."
Hernias don't heal on their own. Over time, hernias tend to increase in size as the abdominal muscle wall becomes weaker and more tissue bulges through.
Femoral hernia A femoral hernia (say "FEH-muh-rull HER-nee-uh") is a problem that occurs when tissue in the abdomen bulges through a weak part in the lower belly into the upper thigh, just below the groin crease. This occurs more often in women than in men.
Umbilical hernia An umbilical hernia
A very small hernia may not cause problems. But your doctor may recommend repairing the muscle. This helps you avoid the risk that the hernia might trap some of the tissues or intestine. This could be an emergency.
Incisional hernia An incisional hernia is a problem that occurs when a bulge of tissue pushes through the wall of muscle that's holding it in. It happens after surgery in the belly, in the area of the incision. It can happen months or even years after surgery.
This type of hernia can occur in people who:
Are very overweight. Are older. Used steroid medicines Smoke. Had a wound infection after surgery or had more than one surgery using the same incision. Epigastric hernia An epigastric hernia (say "eh-pih-GAS-trik HER-nee-uh") is a problem that occurs when a bulge of tissue pushes through a weak part of the belly wall. It happens between the breastbone and the belly button, or navel.
Epigastric hernias often have no symptoms. But they can cause pain in the upper belly. Most of the time, these hernias are small. You can have more than one at a time.
Hiatal hernia A hiatal hernia
The hernia bulges through the diaphragm at a place called the hiatus. This is the opening in the diaphragm that the esophagus (Figure 4) passes through. The esophagus is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach.
There are three main types of hiatal hernia: sliding, paraesophageal sliding hiatal hernia (Figure 5) .
Figure 1 - Inguinal hernia An inguinal hernia occurs when a small portion of the bowel bulges out through the inguinal canal and into the groin. (The inguinal canal is a passage or opening through the muscles of the abdominal wall.) The bulge usually contains tissue lining the inside of the abdomen (belly) as well as fatty tissue from inside the belly. Or it may contain a loop of intestine.
There are two types of inguinal hernias:
Direct inguinal hernias. These occur when a weak spot develops in the lower belly muscles. Often the cause of the hernia is not known. But the cause is often thought to be lifting, straining, or coughing. Or it may be being obese, pregnant, or constipated. Indirect inguinal hernias. These occur when the inguinal canal fails to close before birth. The hernia may appear in a male's scrotum or in the fold of skin at the opening of a female's vagina. This is the most common type of inguinal hernia. And it may occur at birth or later in life. Indirect hernias are more common in males. Current as of: October 19, 2023
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffClinical Review Board
Figure 2 - Sliding Hiatal Hernia The esophagus connects to the stomach at an opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is normally at the same level as the diaphragm, keeps stomach contents (food, acid, and other digestive juices) from backing up (or refluxing) into the esophagus.
But when a sliding hiatal hernia is present, part of the stomach moves up through the hiatus and into the chest cavity. This pushes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) up into the chest cavity away from the hiatus. Away from the hiatus, the LES loses the support that it needs from the diaphragm to stay closed. This raises the risk for symptoms of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Current as of: October 19, 2023
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffClinical Review Board
Figure 3 - Inguinal hernia An inguinal hernia occurs when a small portion of the bowel bulges out through the inguinal canal and into the groin. (The inguinal canal is a passage or opening through the muscles of the abdominal wall.) The bulge usually contains tissue lining the inside of the abdomen (belly) as well as fatty tissue from inside the belly. Or it may contain a loop of intestine.
There are two types of inguinal hernias:
Direct inguinal hernias. These occur when a weak spot develops in the lower belly muscles. Often the cause of the hernia is not known. But the cause is often thought to be lifting, straining, or coughing. Or it may be being obese, pregnant, or constipated. Indirect inguinal hernias. These occur when the inguinal canal fails to close before birth. The hernia may appear in a male's scrotum or in the fold of skin at the opening of a female's vagina. This is the most common type of inguinal hernia. And it may occur at birth or later in life. Indirect hernias are more common in males. Current as of: October 19, 2023
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffClinical Review Board
Figure 4 - Esophagus The esophagus is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. When you eat or drink, food and liquids travel from your mouth through the throat and esophagus into your stomach.
Current as of: October 19, 2023
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffClinical Review Board
Figure 5 - Sliding Hiatal Hernia The esophagus connects to the stomach at an opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is normally at the same level as the diaphragm, keeps stomach contents (food, acid, and other digestive juices) from backing up (or refluxing) into the esophagus.
But when a sliding hiatal hernia is present, part of the stomach moves up through the hiatus and into the chest cavity. This pushes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) up into the chest cavity away from the hiatus. Away from the hiatus, the LES loses the support that it needs from the diaphragm to stay closed. This raises the risk for symptoms of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Current as of: October 19, 2023
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffClinical Review Board
