In this Article

• What is a hernia?
• Where are hernias located?
• What are the symptoms of a hernia?
• What other types of hernias are there?
• How is a hernia repaired?
• What is laparoscopic hernia repair?
• What about the use of a laser in hernia repair?
• What kind of anesthesia is used for hernia surgery?
• Can strengthening the muscles make a hernia go away?
• What can be done to prevent a hernia?
• Are hernias inherited?
• Do hernias usually develop on both sides of the body?
• Should all hernias be repaired?
• How can I tell if a lump or swelling is a hernia?
• Hernia At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Hernia - Symptoms Experienced
• Hernia Glossary
• Hernia Index

Can strengthening the muscles make a hernia go away?

Unfortunately, exercising to improve a hernia is likely to aggravate the condition. The hernia exists because of a localized absence of muscle and supporting structure. Exercise can strengthen the surrounding muscles, thereby worsening the localized weakness and increasing the pressures inside the abdomen. The result is that more tissue can be forced through the defect and enlarge the hernia.

What can be done to prevent a hernia?

Most of the factors that lead to the development of hernias are beyond the control of the individual. Some of those factors are inherited and develop as the individual grows. The arrangement of the local tissues and their thickness and strength may greatly affect the relative risk of developing a hernia over a lifetime. However, that risk can be increased by failure to use good body mechanics when lifting, poor abdominal support posture, and weight-control problems.

Are hernias inherited?

Since genetics dictate inherited features and structure, there is a significant risk of inheriting the anatomical features that may predispose to a hernia. There may also be inherited factors that result in tissue weakness, which ultimately allows the deterioration of the supporting structures and leads to the formation of a hernia. However, this does not necessarily imply that the offspring of an individual with a hernia will ultimately develop the problem.

Do hernias usually develop on both sides of the body?

Groin hernias are somewhat more likely to develop on both sides. This is probably because the structural elements develop symmetrically, and the stresses on the body that occur over time are similar on both sides. When a patient becomes aware of a groin swelling on one side, examination by a doctor will often identify a small hernia on the opposite side.

Hernia - Symptoms Experienced

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

For hernia, what were the symptoms you experienced?

Comment submissions for this question have ended.
See 21 Viewer Comments

View Comments

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Questions To Ask Before Surgery - Surgery questions to ask prior to having a procedure are important. Your surgeon should be available to answer your surgery questions prior to the procedure.
• Abdominal Pain - Learn about abdominal pain (pain in the stomach / abdomen) including causes, symptoms, how abdominal pain is diagnosed, and how abdominal pain is treated.
• Laparoscopy - Learn about the laparoscopy (laparoscopic surgery) procedure used to treat digestive diseases of the gastrointestinal tract on MedicineNet.com

Read more Hernia related articles »

Latest Medical News

• CDC Study Links 2 Antibiotics to Birth Defects
• Soccer Injuries Differ by Gender
• Anesthesia in Youngest Kids May be Linked to Learning Disabilities