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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.
Treatments and Therapies
- Hernia Surgical Mesh Implants (Food and Drug Administration)
- Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair (Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons) Also in Spanish
- Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair (Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons)
Related Issues
- Sports Hernia (Athletic Pubalgia) (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Treating and Preventing Sports Hernias (American Osteopathic Association)
Specifics
-
Inguinal Hernia
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Umbilical Hernia (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Genetics
-
Genetics Home Reference: abdominal wall defect
(National Library of Medicine)
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Genetics Home Reference: congenital diaphragmatic hernia
(National Library of Medicine)
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Genetics Home Reference: Fryns syndrome
(National Library of Medicine)
Clinical Trials
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Hernia
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Hernia, Diaphragmatic
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Hernia, Inguinal
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Hernia, Umbilical
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Find an Expert
-
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Search for SAGES Members (Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons)
Children
- Diaphragmatic hernia repair - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Facts about Gastroschisis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
- Facts about Omphalocele (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
- Gastroschisis repair - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Hernias (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Inguinal Hernia (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
- Omphalocele repair - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Umbilical hernia repair - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- Diaphragmatic hernia (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Diaphragmatic hernia repair - congenital (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