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Hernia
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/hernia.html

Hernia

Also called: Enterocele
On this page

Basics

  • Summary
  • Start Here
  • Symptoms
  • Treatments and Therapies

Learn More

  • Related Issues
  • Specifics
  • Genetics

See, Play and Learn

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Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Journal Articles

Resources

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For You

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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.

Start Here

  • Hernias (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Symptoms

  • Battling a Bulging Hernia: Don't Ignore Your Groin Pain From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health) Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

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

Related Issues

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

Specifics

  • Epigastric Hernias (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
  • Inguinal Hernia From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
  • Umbilical Hernias (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Genetics

  • Abdominal wall defect: MedlinePlus Genetics From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine)
  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: MedlinePlus Genetics From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine)

Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Hernia From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Hernia, Diaphragmatic From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Hernia, Inguinal From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Hernia, Umbilical From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

  • Article: The impact of Abdominal Wall Hernia (AWH) on patients' social and...
  • Article: Rectus diastasis is a risk factor for incisional hernia after robot...
  • Article: Gastroschisis - current options for prenatal diagnosis and subsequent management.
  • Hernia -- see more articles

Find an Expert

  • Find a SAGES Surgeon (Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases From the National Institutes of Health

Children

  • Diaphragmatic hernia repair - series (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Gastroschisis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
  • Gastroschisis repair - series (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Inguinal Hernia in Infants and Children (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
  • Omphalocele (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
  • Omphalocele repair - series (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Treating Gastroschisis (Gastroschisis Silo) Video (Nemours Foundation)
  • Treating Indirect Inguinal Hernia (For Parents) Video (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
  • Umbilical hernia repair - series (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Teenagers

  • Hernias (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Diaphragmatic hernia (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Femoral hernia (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Femoral hernia repair (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Gastroschisis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Gastroschisis repair (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Hernia (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Inguinal hernia repair (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Umbilical hernia (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Umbilical hernia repair (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Ventral hernia repair (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Topic Image

Hernia

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

  • Abdominal ultrasound
  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair
  • Diaphragmatic hernia
  • Diaphragmatic hernia repair - series
  • Femoral hernia
  • Femoral hernia repair
  • Gastroschisis
  • Gastroschisis repair
  • Gastroschisis repair - series
  • Hernia
  • Inguinal hernia repair
  • Inguinal hernia repair - discharge
  • Inguinal hernia repair - series
  • Lump in the abdomen
  • Omphalocele
  • Omphalocele repair
  • Omphalocele repair - series
  • Umbilical hernia
  • Umbilical hernia repair
  • Umbilical hernia repair - series
  • Ventral hernia repair

Related Health Topics

  • GERD

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Hernia is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

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