National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Hernia is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
A hernia occurs when part of an internal organ bulges through a weak area of muscle. Most hernias occur in the abdomen. There are several types of hernias, including
Hernias are common. They can affect men, women and children. A combination of muscle weakness and straining, such as with heavy lifting, might contribute. Some people are born with weak abdominal muscles and may be more likely to get a hernia.
The usual treatment for a hernia is surgery to repair the opening in the muscle wall. Untreated hernias can cause pain and health problems.
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)