Abdominal hernias are of two types, abdominal wall or inguinal. They are caused by weakened muscles that have lost their elasticity. The danger here, and the reason for surgical repair is of strangulation. That means the surrounding organs have protruded through the weakened muscles, blocking the blood vessels and nerves. This is serious and surgical repair is the remedial treatment.

Ordinarily, at first notice, a slight bulging area is observed and, over time it may increase in size. Depending on the size, the abdominal area, the age and activity of the patient, surgery is performed within a few weeks of discovery, or if it is not too serious, it is watch and wait. Possibly an abdominal girdle is worn, if the hernia is in the wall of the abdomen.

In diagnosis, the patient is observed in a standing position and is asked to cough. This will cause abdominal wall hernias to bulge. If they are true hernias — and have not become strangulated — the surrounding organs or bulging tissue can easily be pushed back into its former shape. Strangulated hernia do not budge and they cause pain. Sometimes, what is thought to be a hernia is not a hernia, but a mass of fat — a lipoma tumor. These are not serious tumors, and the only damage they do is to possibly press on nerves and cause some pain.

All scrotal masses or bulges are not hernias or masses of fat, but are benign or carcinogenic tumors. Some of these are varioceles, hydroceles or some other type of testicular tumor. But by far, inguinal hernias are more common, and they occur more commonly in males. About seventy-five percent of all abdominal hernia repairs are done to repair these hernias with medical support girdles worn afterwards post-surgery. Although they can occur in women, they are most often seen in men.

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