A hernia occurs when an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue. Hernias are caused by a combination of pressure and an opening or weakness of muscle or tissue. Anything that increases pressure in the abdomen can cause a hernia, including: lifting heavy objects without stabilizing the abdomen muscles, diarrhea/constipation, persistent coughing/sneezing, as well as obesity, poor nutrition, and smoking.

There are several types of external abdominal wall hernias – inguinal (indirect and direct), umbilical, femoral, epigastric, and incisional. The most common type of hernia is the indirect inguinal hernia. If you have an indirect inguinal hernia, part of your intestine has slipped through a weak spot in your abdominal wall. The hernia may appear as a small bulge on one or both sides of your groin. If not repaired, an indirect inguinal hernia will typically get larger, and in men, the hernia may gradually move right down the inguinal canal into the scrotum. A direct inguinal hernia develops when the body’s cycle of breaking down/building up tissue is off balance, which produces weak spots in the muscles and tissue. Like an indirect inguinal hernia, part of your intestine will slip through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, but they do not get large enough to reach the scrotum.

An umbilical hernia develops in the area of your belly button. They are seen mostly in babies, young children, pregnant women, and people who are overweight. Femoral hernias are a less common hernia – they are found more in women who have been pregnant or obese but can also be found in men. A femoral hernia will appear as a small bulge at the groin crease above a patient’s thigh. In certain situations, it will get larger and move down a patient’s leg.

Epigastric hernias can develop in both men and women and usually form as a bulge below the ribcage and above the belly button. Epigastric hernias can grow pretty large over time. An incisional hernia develops from weakened scar tissue after an operation on a patient’s abdomen.

There are two options for hernia removal procedures – open and laparoscopic. Laparoscopic hernia surgeries are a less invasive procedure. With this type of procedure, several small incisions will be made around the developed hernia. During a traditional open hernia surgery, a larger incision will be made below a patient’s belly button to access the hernia. However, the approach is the same with both types of procedures – the patient’s intestine and abdominal lining will be pushed back through the hole in the abdominal wall and sew the hole closed. Under certain circumstances, a synthetic mesh material will be inserted into the abdomen to strengthen the area. Patients will usually be able to go home the same day after the procedure. However, it is important for the patient to keep the stitches dry and schedule follow-up appointments to assess the hernia’s healing process.