Hernia: A Common Complaint that May Require Surgical Repair

September 11, 2025

Old male having strong abdominal ache, stomach ulcer disease, health problems

This article is part 1 in a 2-part series. Part 2 will focus on hernias in infants.

A hernia can seem bizarre, even mysterious to its adult sufferer. Something is sticking out, usually in the groin, thigh or belly, and it doesn’t seem to get better over time. In fact, says Dr. Anton Kelly, Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Trauma, Burns, Critical and Acute Care and Assistant Attending Surgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine, hernias either stay the same, or they grow. Most of them grow, and eventually, they’ll reach a point where they require medical attention.

What is a hernia?

A hernia typically occurs when one of your organs—part of your intestine or stomach, for example—pokes through a muscle that has an opening or has become weak and unable to keep the organ where it belongs. An injury, previous abdominal surgery or birth defect may also come into play. Hernias become more common as people age.

Where does a hernia typically occur in the body?

“The lion’s share of hernias occur in the abdomen,” Dr. Kelly says, “but they can vary widely, both in terms of their type and location.”

The most common types of hernia include the following:

Inguinal (groin) hernias account for 75 percent of all hernias. Mostly a male phenomenon, they occur in 25 percent of men.
Femoral hernias, more common in women, are also localized in the groin area—mainly, in the upper thigh.
Hiatal hernias occur when the normal opening in your diaphragm widens, and part of your stomach pushes into your chest. As a result, hiatal hernias often cause chronic acid reflux.
An incisional hernia may develop when tissue protrudes through an incision from an earlier abdominal surgical procedure.

Risk factors

The following risk factors make it more likely that you’ll develop a hernia:

A job that requires heavy lifting or hours of standing without a break
A chronic cough, or bouts of sneezing caused by allergies
Chronic constipation
Previous abdominal or pelvic surgery
Repeat pregnancies
Obesity

Hernia symptoms in adults

These vary according to their location but also from individual to individual. Often but not always, the first sign of a hernia is a telltale bulge that appears when you’re in a certain position or during certain activities, and seems to disappear at other times. However, some hernias are too deep to be visible from the outside, including femoral and hiatal hernias. A CT scan may be needed to diagnose a hernia definitively.

You may also feel pressure, a dull ache or a pinching sensation when it comes back out, Dr. Kelly explains. “Some patients may experience pain that goes beyond discomfort. It depends on which nerves are in the area.”

“Managing the pain really depends on the type of pain you’re having,” he says. “Most people can get by with ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). However, some pain can be quite severe and may require prescription pain medication.”

Do hernias always require surgical repair?

Not necessarily right away, he says. “If you have a small hernia, we usually take a ‘wait and see’ attitude. But when they grow past a certain point, and when they start causing trouble, surgery is the best treatment. The only treatment, actually.”

Hernia repair surgery is usually a minor, outpatient procedure. Surgeons like Dr. Kelly push the herniated organ or tissue back into place and use stitches to reinforce the muscle where it protruded in the first place.

Minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy are used when possible, translating into less scarring, less post-operative pain and a shorter recovery time.

The rate of surgical success is exceptionally high, from 95 to 97 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

But complications occasionally arise. Part of your stomach or bowel can get trapped in the hernia, cutting off blood supply and leading to necrosis (tissue death). That’s called incarcerated tissue, and if left untreated, it can have serious consequences, such as a bowel obstruction or the aforementioned necrosis—or gangrene.

When should I call my doctor?

Get in touch with your doctor if you experience any of the following after surgery:

Bleeding at the incision site
Fever
Moderate-to-severe pain

It’s especially important for your doctor to diagnose hernia-related pain, as so many other conditions can mimic its symptoms.

Ways to avoid getting a hernia, slow its growth or prevent a recurrence

Maintain adequate nutrition.
Lose or control your weight.
Quit smoking.
Be active.
Be careful during heavy lifting.
Strengthen your abdominal muscles through exercise.
Consider wearing a restraining belt to hold the hernia in place when you’re active.
Eat high-fiber foods to prevent constipation.
Try not to strain while having a bowel movement.
Seek treatment if you develop a chronic cough.

“There’s a 10 percent chance that your hernia will recur at some point,” Dr. Kelly says. “If that should happen, we can deal with it. But the best way to prevent a recurrence is to adopt the above behaviors and practices.”

Make an appointment at the Center for Hernia and Gallbladder Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine through Connect, by visiting its website, or by calling (833) 543-7642.

Stay tuned for part 2 in this 2-part series, which will focus on hernias in infants.