Hernia

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Hernia

A hernia is tissue from inside the abdomen that bulges out through a weak spot in the muscles of the abdominal wall. The weak spot may have been present since birth or may develop following surgery, violent or chronic coughing, lifting heavy objects, or from aging.

There are several types of hernias:

A femoral hernia appears as a bulge on the top of the thigh.
A hiatal hernia is a part of the stomach bulging up through the diaphragm (the wall of muscle that separates the abdominal cavity from the chest cavity).
An incisional hernia occurs after surgery to the wall of the abdomen.
An inguinal hernia occurs when a small portion of the bowel bulges into the groin.
An umbilical hernia appears in the belly button. A periumbilical hernia is similar to an umbilical hernia, but occurs next to the belly button.

A person with a hernia often feels pain, pressure or burning, or a feeling that something has given way.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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