What Causes a Hernia & Who is At Risk?

A hernia is characterized by a break in an organ wall, usually in the abdomen, where a piece of an adjacent organ is protruding through. This causes a visible lump that can sometimes be accompanied with pain and swelling. Hernias can occur in people of all ages with little to know warning. Here are a few known causes and risk factors that can help you take the measures necessary to prevent a hernia from occurring.

What causes a hernia to develop?

• Obesity: Those who are overweight will have a higher level of internal pressure acting on their organs. 
• Cystic Fibrosis: This disease can cause chronic coughing in some patients, which increases the internal pressure of the person. It can also be accompanied by weakening of the muscles and body tissues, leaving them susceptible to hernias.
• Ascites: This condition occurs when there is a build-up of fluid in the abdomen, leading to increased internal pressure.
• Irregular Bowel Movements: Constipation and straining can put pressure on your insides, specifically the “corset” tissues.
• Pregnancy: In its later stages, pregnancy can cause umbilical hernias due to the abdominal pressure built up by the mature fetus.
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: This disease causes a decrease in collagen and weakness in the body’s connective tissue, leaving opportunity for organs to push their way through.

What are the risk factors, and who is most susceptible?

• Age: Though babies can be born with hernias and it’s not unheard of for children to develop them, adults and elderly people are more susceptible since their tissues tend to weaken over time.
• Gender: Depending on the type of hernia, different genders may be more susceptible to different conditions based on their natural body makeup. For example, men are more prone to inguinal hernias, while women are more prone to femoral and umbilical hernias.
• Family History: Like many medical conditions, hernias can be hereditary. In addition, hereditary diseases that weaken muscles and organ tissue can also put a person at a higher risk rate.
• Lifestyle: Doing heavy lifting on a daily basis, whether exercise or work related, can put excessive strain and pressure on the body.
• Medical History: Those who have had surgical procedures or medical conditions in the past that affect body tissue have a higher chance of developing hernias than those that have not.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our surgeons are experts in all aspects of open and minimally invasive hernia correction procedures. Rest assured that our doctors will always handle your surgery with precision and care. For more information, call 631-321-6801.