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Skip to main content Search Close Menu Close News Careers Authorized Partners Region selector North America Asia Pacific Europe Latin America Middle East - Africa Home Products Conditions Education & Events Value-based solutions About Us Search Search Search Hernia On This Page Condition Overview What is a Hernia? Signs of a Hernia What Causes a Hernia? Types of Hernias Treatment Options Preparing for Surgery What to expect after hernia surgery Questions to ask your doctor There are nearly 1 million hernia surgeries performed each year in the US 1 . It is important for both patients and health care professionals to have the most complete and current information available. Each link contains information to help you make important decisions regarding hernias and hernia repair. This page provides information about hernias and hernia repair so that you can make informed decisions about your health care. Keep in mind, some hernias can cause serious health complications, so if you think you may have one, it is important to see your doctor for a complete medical evaluation. Who can get a hernia? In the United States about 800,000 people per year undergo surgery to repair inguinal hernias (also called groin hernias) and another 500,000 undergo surgery to repair ventral hernias (abdominal hernias not in the groin area). While it's difficult to predict when and where a hernia will occur, the lifetime risk of inguinal hernia for men is 27%. Direct inguinal hernias typically occur in men over 40. Men may also experience any type of ventral abdominal hernia, including incisional, epigastric, and umbilical. Hernias occur less frequently in women, with the lifetime risk of inguinal hernia in women being 3%. Women are at greater risk than men for femoral hernias, or may require surgical repair for ventral abdominal hernias. One type of ventral hernia, the umbilical hernia, can occur in infants and children. This can be the result of an abdominal wall defect that is present at birth. Children can also get an indirect inguinal hernia, causing a bulge that can be seen and felt. 1 Global Markets for Hernia Repair Devices 2009" from the Millennium Research Group, Report Code : MR001266 GORE MEDICAL PRODUCTS RELATED TO Hernia GORE® ENFORM Biomaterial GORE® ENFORM Biomaterial is a soft, conformable, tailorable, tissue reinforcement device designed to achieve abdominal wall repair by contributing to highly vascularized quality tissue and improved wound healing via an acellular matrix that augments tissue infiltration, integration, and regeneration. The product is completely absorbed, leaving no material behind in the body. GORE® DUALMESH® Biomaterial GORE® DUALMESH® Biomaterial is the first dual-surface material that encourages host tissue ingrowth while minimizing tissue attachment in hernia, soft tissue, and fascial reconstruction. View All Related Products What is a Hernia? The most typical sign of a hernia is a bulge under your skin in the groin or abdomen. You may also feel pain when you lift, cough or strain. This common condition affects men, women and children of all ages. The good news is, hernias are highly treatable with surgery and innovative hernia repair products from Gore. Gore Medical Products are designed to work in harmony with your body's own tissues, helping to reduce complications following surgery. Additionally, many Gore products are ideal for use in laparoscopic procedures, which offer the benefits of less pain, reduced hernia recurrence, and quicker recovery time. Best of all, after successful treatment, you're free to get back to your regular activities and lifestyle. How a Hernia Develops Wall Weakens or Tears The abdominal lining bulges out through a weak area and begins to form a hernia sac. The sac may contain fat, intestine, or other tissues. At this point the hernia may or may not cause a visible bulge. Intestine Pushes into the Sac As the intestine pushes further into the sac, it forms a visible bulge. The bulge may flatten when you lie down or push against it. This is called a reducible hernia and does not cause any immediate danger. Intestine May Become Trapped The sac containing the intestine may become trapped (incarcerated). If this happens, you won't be able to flatten the bulge. You may also have pain. Prompt treatment may be needed. Intestine May Be Strangulated If the intestine is tightly trapped, it becomes strangulated. The strangulated area loses blood supply and may die. This can cause severe pain and block the intestine. Emergency surgery is needed to relieve the blockage. A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or part of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. A hernia occurs when there is a weakness or tear in your abdominal wall as a result of aging, injury, a previous surgical incision, or a condition present at birth. Hernias generally grow larger due to pressure on them, such as a loop of your intestine or fatty tissue pushing into the weak abdominal tissue or tear. The result is a sac that forms in the abdominal wall. You may or may not see a bulge at this point. As more abdominal contents push into the sac, a bulge will appear. Sometimes the bulge can be flattened out by lying down or pushing against it. Though a hernia at this stage - known as a reducible hernia - is not an emergency situation, you will likely still need surgery to repair it. If the intestine gets trapped, or is non-reducible , it is called an incarcerated hernia , and can be quite painful. The bulge cannot ordinarily be flattened out and immediate surgery may be needed. A hernia that becomes tightly trapped, or strangulated , loses blood supply, blocks intestinal flow, and requires emergency surgery. Unfortunately, a hernia won't go away on its own. In fact, hernias typically get worse over time, making hernia repair surgery the standard of care. Signs of a Hernia Most people with hernias have a common set of signs and symptoms. The questions below can help you determine if you have a hernia. They are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Only a physician or other qualified health provider can diagnose and treat a hernia. Is there a bulge under the skin on your abdomen or in your groin area? A bulge is the most typical sign of a hernia. If you have a bulge under your skin, does it ever disappear? If the bulge flattens out when you lay down or press on it, the hernia probably needs prompt but not emergency, medical attention. If the bulge does not flatten out when you lay down or press on it, it may be trapped or strangulated. The hernia requires immediate medical attention. Do you have discomfort or pain when you lift, cough, sneeze, strain, or perform physical activities? Hernias can cause discomfort or pain during your daily activities, especially when you exert yourself. Hernias can cause discomfort or pain during urination or bowel movements. Hernias can cause a feeling of weakness or pressure in the groin area. Hernia pain may be sharp and sudden or dull and achy. It can also be a combination of both. Does your discomfort or pain get worse toward the end of the day? Hernia pain typically becomes more intense as the day goes on. Hernia pain can also worsen after standing for long periods of time. What Causes a Hernia? Most hernias develop in the abdominal wall, which runs from just below your breastbone down into your groin. This wall is similar to the rubber on a tire: it surrounds and protects your organs the same way a tire surrounds and protects the air-filled tube inside of it. Hernias develop when a section of the abdominal wall wears down or tears. There are several possible reasons for this: An area of your abdominal wall is weak at birth An area of your abdominal wall weakens over time due to physical stress, injury, pregnancy, or aging A weakness or tear develops at the site of a previous surgical incision No matter what the cause, it is important to see...