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Medical Author:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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In this Article

• Abdominal hernia facts
• What is an abdominal hernia?
• Where are abdominal hernias located?
• What are abdominal hernia symptoms and signs?
• What are the different types of abdominal hernias?
• How is an abdominal hernia repaired?
• What is laparoscopic abdominal hernia repair surgery?
• What about the use of a laser in abdominal hernia repair?
• What kind of anesthesia is used for abdominal hernia surgery?
• Can strengthening the muscles make an abdominal hernia go away?
• What can be done to prevent an abdominal hernia?
• Are abdominal hernias inherited?
• Do abdominal hernias usually develop on both sides of the body?
• Should all abdominal hernias be repaired?
• How can a person determine if a lump or swelling is an abdominal hernia?
• Patient Comments: Hernia - Treatments
• Patient Comments: Hernia - Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Hernia - Pain
• Patient Comments: Hernia - Types
• Find a local Surgeon in your town
• Hernia Index

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.

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.

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. However, some infants are born with congenital defects that lead to hernia development.