What exactly is an abdominal hernia?  

- It’s where an internal part of body pushes through weak part of your abdominal wall muscle, creating a lump that often you can feel.  
- It’s very common, more common in men but can occur in any age from babies to the elderly.  
- There’s several different types:  

- Inguinal: occurs in the groin and can sometimes cause lump in the scrotum.  
- Femoral: occurs where abdomen joins leg.  
- Umbilical: the front of the stomach often around the tummy button.  
- Hiatus: where stomach pushes up into the chest.  
- Incisional: over a surgery scar  

What causes hernias?  

- Lots of different things: being overweight, coughing or sneezing, constipation, pregnancy.  
- Some people have weaker abdominal walls, and hernias can occur more easily.  
- Occasionally caused by injury from lifting – in which case can be covered by ACC  

What should you look out for and are they serious?  

- Most people notice a bulging lump in their stomach or groin.  
- You may occasionally notice discomfort when bending over or lifting things.  
- Generally they are small, and if they pop out they can be easily pushed back in. 
- Over time they can become bigger and cause more discomfort and pain.  
- Occasionally the bowel can twist and not be able to be pushed back in and become strangulated. This is serious and requires urgent medical help.    

What do about them?  

- Your GP will take a history and examine you to diagnose a hernia, they may order a U/S if unsure.  
- If it’s minor and not causing problems, just watch and wait.  
- However, if it’s causing pain and discomfort, they may recommend surgery.  
- An operation to fix the abdominal wall with stitches or what is called mesh, it’s often a keyhole surgery.  
- You can try to avoid them by eating food with fibre so you don’t become constipated, not putting on weight, and careful lifting with your knees instead of your back. 

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