Hernia

Our Approach

If you have a hernia that bothers you, interferes with daily life or isn't helped by medication, your doctor may recommend surgery. At Franciscan Health, our surgeons repair hernias using minimally invasive techniques. These hernia repair procedures mean smaller scars and faster recoveries for our patients.

How is a hernia diagnosed?

To diagnose a hernia, your doctor may use:

• Physical examination (asking patient to cough, bend or lift something)
• Other diagnostic tests, including ultrasound, CT scan and X-rays

Signs of a hernia

At first, the hernia may not be painful. But you may see a bulge if you strain or do any type of physical activity. You should be able to push the bulge back into place.

If the bulge cannot be pushed back, the organ is trapped. This can result in a lack of blood supply to the organ, leading to symptoms such as:

• Inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement
• Nausea
• Pain
• Vomiting

Types of hernias

About 80% of all hernias are inguinal (meaning they occur in the inner groin area). Other types of hernias include:

• Femoral hernia (outer groin)
• Umbilical hernia (belly button)
• Hiatal hernia (upper stomach)
• Incisional or ventral hernia (resulting from abdominal surgery incisions)

What causes a hernia?

Risk factors for hernias include:

• Abdominal surgeries
• Being overweight
• Chronic constipation
• Chronic cough or sneezing
• Cystic fibrosis
• Enlarged prostate or straining to urinate
• Fluid in the abdomen
• Heavy lifting and overexertion
• Smoking
• Poor nutrition