A hernia is a displacement of a body organ as it pushes through the muscle or tissue containing or surrounding it. A hernia can occur anywhere in the region of the abdomen. The most common types of hernias are:

Inguinal hernia: This type of hernia occurs in your lower abdomen.
Femoral hernia: This occurs in your groin, or the top of your inner thigh.
Incisional hernia: This occurs in a surgical wound or incision.
Umbilical hernia: This occurs in the abdomen near the navel.
Epigastric hernia: This occurs between the navel and the lower part of the rib cage.
Obturator hernia: This is an extremely rare abdominal hernia and develops mostly in women in the pelvic cavity.

Most hernias are caused by a weakness in the abdominal wall. Other causes can be ageing, obesity, having a tough physical job or straining for long times. A hernia could turn into an emergency if left untreated.

When to seek expert advice

If you are facing any of the above symptoms and suspect that you may be suffering from hernia, seek immediate help from the Section of General Surgery.

Disclaimer

The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.