Hernia: types, symptoms, tests, surgery and which doctor to see
What a hernia is, the common types, the symptoms, how it is diagnosed, when surgery is needed, and the warning signs of a strangulated hernia.
Also known as: Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia; Diaphragmatic Hernia; Enterocele; Inguinal Hernia; Umbilical Hernia
What a hernia is
A hernia happens when part of an organ or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle wall that normally holds it in. Most hernias occur in the abdominal wall and appear as a bulge that may come and go.
The common types are:
- Inguinal hernia — in the groin, the most common type, much more common in men
- Femoral hernia — lower in the groin near the top of the thigh, more common in women and more likely to get stuck
- Umbilical hernia — at or near the navel, common in babies and in adults after pregnancy or with weight gain
- Incisional hernia — through the scar of a previous operation
- Hiatus hernia — part of the stomach slides up through the diaphragm into the chest, often causing reflux rather than a visible bulge
Hernias do not heal on their own in adults, and they tend to get bigger over time. Many can be safely watched for a while, but a hernia that becomes stuck can cut off blood supply to the bowel, which is an emergency.
Symptoms
- A bulge in the groin, navel or near a scar, more obvious when standing, coughing or straining, and often going back when lying down
- Groin pain or an aching, dragging feeling
- Discomfort when lifting, bending or coughing
- A feeling of heaviness, especially at the end of the day
- In men, swelling extending into the scrotum
Some hernias cause no discomfort at all and are noticed only as a lump.
Causes and who is at risk
Hernias result from a weak area in the muscle wall combined with pressure inside the abdomen. Some people are born with a weak spot. Your risk is higher with:
- Heavy lifting or straining, including at work
- A long-term cough, for example from smoking or lung disease
- Constipation, or straining to pass urine because of an enlarged prostate
- Pregnancy and obesity
- Previous abdominal surgery, especially if the wound became infected
- A family history of hernias, and older age
How it is diagnosed
Most hernias are diagnosed by physical examination: the doctor looks and feels for a bulge while you stand and cough. Imaging helps when the diagnosis is unclear or before repair of complex hernias:
- Ultrasound — useful for small groin hernias and in children
- CT scan — for incisional hernias, unclear cases and suspected complications
A hiatus hernia is usually found on an endoscopy or a barium swallow test done for reflux symptoms.
Which doctor to see
A general surgeon assesses and repairs most hernias. A GI surgeon often treats complex incisional hernias and hiatus hernias. Children with hernias are seen by a paediatric surgeon. Your general physician can confirm a lump and refer you.
You can find general surgeons in Bengaluru or GI surgeons in Bengaluru on The Doctor Index, each with a registration you can check.
Treatment
Watchful waiting
For a small inguinal hernia that causes few or no symptoms in an adult man, watchful waiting is a reasonable option for some people, after discussion with a surgeon. Many go on to need surgery later as symptoms develop. Femoral hernias are usually repaired soon because of their higher risk of getting stuck. Belts and trusses may ease discomfort but do not repair a hernia.
Surgery
- Open hernia repair — through a cut over the hernia, often under local or spinal anaesthesia.
- Laparoscopic hernia repair — keyhole surgery under general anaesthesia, often useful for hernias on both sides or that have come back.
- Mesh — most adult hernia repairs use a mesh to reinforce the weak area, which lowers the chance of the hernia returning. Your surgeon will discuss its benefits and risks.
Most people go home the same day or the next day and return to light activity within days, though heavy lifting is avoided for a few weeks. Umbilical hernias in babies often close by themselves in early childhood, but inguinal hernias in children need surgery. Treating a chronic cough, constipation or prostate problem lowers the chance of a hernia coming back.
After a repair, some bruising and swelling around the wound or in the scrotum is common and settles over a week or two. Walking from the first day helps recovery and lowers the risk of clots. A small number of people have long-lasting groin pain after repair; tell your surgeon if pain persists beyond the expected recovery, as it can usually be managed.
Living with it: before and after repair
- Avoid heavy lifting and straining while you wait for surgery, and after it as advised
- Stop smoking, which helps healing and reduces coughing
- Eat enough fibre and drink enough fluids to avoid constipation
- Report new swelling, pain or wound redness after surgery
- Know the warning signs of a strangulated hernia
When it is an emergency
Call 112 or 108, or go to the nearest emergency department, if a hernia:
- Becomes suddenly painful, tender, firm or red, and cannot be pushed back
- Comes with nausea, vomiting or a swollen abdomen
- Comes with being unable to pass wind or stools
- Comes with fever or a fast heartbeat
These signs can mean the hernia is strangulated — trapped, with its blood supply cut off — which needs emergency surgery. Do not try to force a painful hernia back in.
Questions to ask at your appointment
- What type of hernia do I have?
- Does it need repair now, or can we watch it?
- Would open or keyhole surgery suit me better?
- Will you use mesh, and what are the risks?
- How long will recovery take, and when can I lift or return to work?
- What are the chances of it coming back?
Common questions
Questions people ask
- Can a hernia heal without surgery?
- In adults, no. A hernia is a gap in the muscle wall that does not close by itself, and it usually gets bigger. Some small, painless hernias can be watched, but surgery is the only way to repair one. Umbilical hernias in babies often close naturally.
- Is a hernia belt a substitute for surgery?
- No. A belt or truss may ease discomfort for some people, but it does not repair the hernia and does not reliably prevent it from getting stuck. It is not a long-term solution, and you should still see a surgeon.
- How soon can I return to work after hernia surgery?
- Many people return to desk work within a week or two and to light activity within days. Heavy lifting and strenuous work usually wait for a few weeks. Your surgeon will advise based on the type of repair and your job.
- Is mesh safe for hernia repair?
- Mesh is widely used in adult hernia repair because it lowers the chance of the hernia returning. Like any implant, it carries some risks, such as infection or chronic pain. Your surgeon will explain why it is recommended for you.
This condition is usually assessed by a general surgeon. Every profile shows the doctor’s registration and what has been checked.
General surgeons in Bangalore
A few general surgeons listed on The Doctor Index. They are shown because of their speciality, not a stated interest in Hernia; ask the clinic whether the doctor sees it.
Related conditions
All general surgery conditions →
Practical reading
All postsSources
- MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine — Hernia
- NIDDK, US National Institutes of Health — Inguinal Hernia
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine — Hernia — Public-domain health-topic summary
Hernia: types, symptoms, tests, surgery and which doctor to see is original text by The Doctor Index; the compiled source draft was used for research. Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Orphadata Science: Free access data from Orphanet. © INSERM 1999; July 2026 data, CC BY 4.0. This product uses the Human Phenotype Ontology (hp/releases/2026-09-01). Only sources listed for this article apply. Source material has been selected and arranged; HPO definitions are reproduced without alteration. No source organisation endorses this compilation. Köhler S et al. The Human Phenotype Ontology project: linking molecular biology and disease through phenotype data. Nucleic Acids Research 2014;42(D1):D966–D974. doi:10.1093/nar/gkt1026.
General information, not advice about your situation. Errors can be reported through the corrections process. Reference TDI-C-1152.