Boots WebMD Partners in Health
Return To Boots

Digestive health centre

Hernia: Types, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Hernia types

There are several different types of hernia:


Hiatus hernia is when part of your stomach pushes up into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm.




Epigastric hernia
is when fatty tissue pushes through your abdomen, between the belly button and breastbone (sternum).

Spigelian hernia
is when part of your bowel pushes through your abdomen by the stomach muscle below the belly button.

Muscle hernia

What are the symptoms of a hernia?

For inguinal, femoral, umbilical, and incisional hernias, symptoms could include:

  • An obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or the groin; it may disappear when you lie down, and may be tender.
  • A heavy feeling in the abdomen that is sometimes accompanied by constipation or blood in the stool.
  • Discomfort in the abdomen or groin when lifting or bending over.

Symptoms of a hiatus hernia may include:

  • Although heartburn is more likely in those with a hiatus hernia, some have no symptoms at all. Upper abdominal pain may occur.

Seek medical advice about a hernia if:

  • You suspect that you have a hernia. Sometimes hernias require urgent medical care; an accurate diagnosis is important.
  • If you can't get the hernia to go back in. This is called an incarcerated hernia and can lead to strangulation. Seek medical care immediately.
  • You know you have a hernia, and you are nauseous and vomiting or are unable to have a bowel movement or pass wind. You may have a strangulated hernia or an obstruction, which are emergencies. Seek medical care immediately.

How is a hernia diagnosed?

A doctor's physical examination is often enough to diagnose a hernia. Sometimes hernia swelling is visible when you stand upright; usually, the hernia can be felt if you place your hand directly over it and put pressure on it. Ultrasound may be used to see a femoral hernia, and abdominal X-rays may be performed to identify a bowel obstruction.

What are the treatments for a hernia?

In babies, umbilical hernias may heal themselves within four years, making surgery unnecessary. For all other hernia, the standard treatment is conventional hernia-repair surgery, called herniorrhaphy. It is possible to simply live with a hernia and monitor it. The main risk of this approach is that the protruding organ may become strangulated (have its blood supply cut off), and infection and tissue death may occur as a result. A strangulated intestinal hernia may result in intestinal obstruction, causing the abdomen to swell. The strangulation can also lead to infection, gangrene, intestinal perforation, shock, or even death.

WebMD Medical Reference

Mind, body & soul newsletter

Looking after your
health and wellbeing.
Sign Up Now!

Popular slideshows & tools on BootsWebMD

woman washing face
Prevent & treat flare-ups
donut on plate
The truth about sugar addiction
female patient consulting with female GP
Take action for a healthy baby
couple watching sunset
How much do you know?
cold sore
Prevent and treat cold sores
smiling african american woman
Best kept secrets of healthy hair
assorted spices
Pump up the flavour with spices
10 tips to lose weight after baby
crossword puzzle
Tips for the first hard days
sperm and egg
Facts to help you get pregnant
african american woman wiping sweat from forehead
Relief from excessive sweating
polka dot dress on hangar
Lose weight without dieting