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

Should all hernias be repaired?

In general, hernias that are at risk for complications, that cause pain, or that limit activity should be repaired. If they are not repaired, there is a risk that an emergency surgical procedure may be required at a later date.

Sometimes, a hernia can be temporarily controlled by wearing a belt-like device that applies external compression, which pushes the tissues back into the abdomen and holds them there. This device is called a truss. The truss must be carefully applied on a daily basis. It should only be used for selected situations following careful evaluation by a doctor.

How can I tell if a lump or swelling is a hernia?

Not all lumps or swellings on the abdominal wall or in the groin are hernias. A doctor should evaluate any such swelling. Other possible causes include benign or malignant tumors or enlarged lymph nodes. These problems require entirely different types of evaluation and treatment.

Hernia At A Glance

• Symptoms of a hernia include pain or discomfort and a localized swelling somewhere on the surface of the abdomen or in the groin area.
• There are many different types of hernias.
• Serious complications from a hernia result from the trapping of tissues in the hernia (incarceration), which can result in the damage of death of the tissue.
• Hernia repair and the treatment of hernia complications require surgery.

Hernia - Symptoms Experienced

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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

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