Types of Hernias
Inguinal Hernias
Inguinal (pronounced: IN-gwuh-nul) hernias are more likely to occur in guys than
girls. More than 70% of all hernias that occur are inguinal hernias, which means that
a part of the intestines protrudes through an opening in the lower part of the abdomen,
near the groin, called the inguinal canal.
In guys, the inguinal canal is a passageway between the abdomen and the scrotum
through which a cord called the spermatic cord passes (the testicles hang from the
spermatic cord). In girls, the inguinal canal is the passageway for a ligament that
holds the uterus in place. Nearly all cases of inguinal hernias in teens are due to
a congenital defect of the inguinal canal. Instead of closing tightly, the canal
leaves a space for the intestines to slide into.
If you have an inguinal hernia, you might be able to see a bulge where your thigh
and your groin meet. In guys, the protruding piece of intestine may enter the scrotum,
which can cause swelling and pain. Other symptoms of an inguinal hernia might include
pain when you cough, lift something heavy, or bend over. These types of hernias require
surgery to repair; in fact, inguinal hernia operations are the most common type of
surgery performed on kids and teens.
Umbilical Hernias
Umbilical hernias are common in newborns and infants younger than 6 months. They
occur when part of the intestines bulge through the abdominal wall next to the belly
button. In babies with umbilical hernias, parents may see bulging around the belly
button area when the baby cries.
Unlike other types of hernias, umbilical hernias may heal on their own, usually
by the time a baby is 1 year old. If not, surgery can repair the hernia.
Epigastric Hernias
In an epigastric (pronounced: eh-pih-GAS-trik) hernia, which is also called a ventral
hernia, part of the intestines protrude through the abdominal muscles located between
the belly button and the chest.
It's mostly guys who have to worry about this type of hernia — about 75%
of epigastric hernias occur in males. People with this type of hernia may notice a
lump. Surgery is a common way to fix this problem.
Incisional Hernias
If you've had surgery in your abdominal area, you might experience this type of
hernia. In incisional hernias, part of the intestines bulge through the abdomen around
a surgical incision. In this case, surgery actually weakened the muscle tissue in
the abdomen. This type of hernia requires another surgery to repair it.
Hiatal Hernias
This type of hernia occurs at the opening of the diaphragm where the esophagus
(the pipe that food travels down) joins the stomach. If the muscle around the opening
to the diaphragm becomes weak, the uppermost part of a person's stomach can bulge
through the diaphragm.
Hiatal (pronounced: hy-AY-tul) hernias are common, although small ones don't usually
cause any symptoms. Unlike the other types of hernia, you won't be able to see a bulge
on the outside of your body, but you might feel heartburn, indigestion, and chest
pain. Hiatal hernias can be treated with medication and diet changes, but sometimes
require surgery.