Prevention

To prevent hernias associated with increased abdominal pressure, avoid activities that cause abdominal strain, such as lifting heavy weights. Losing weight is helpful if you are overweight. If you frequently need to strain when you move your bowels, speak to your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe stool softening medication or suggest that you modify your diet to include more high fiber foods.

Treatment

Although not all hernias need to be repaired, hernias that cause symptoms or become larger should be repaired by a surgeon. The technique used to repair your hernia depends on its type, size and location. There are many options, including standard surgery, surgery using mesh plugs or patches, and surgery done through a small incision using a telescope (laparoscopic surgery). If you are considering having a hernia repaired, you and your surgeon will discuss which technique is most appropriate for you.

Hernias that become incarcerated or strangulated require immediate medical attention. Your doctor will try to push the hernia back through the hole in which it is stuck. If this can't be done, emergency surgery may be needed. Otherwise, most hernia repairs can be done on an outpatient basis at a convenient place and time.

Umbilical hernias usually are not treated surgically unless the hernia continues past the child's third or fourth birthday, becomes larger, causes symptoms or strangulates. Umbilical hernias are more likely to need surgery if the opening through which the hernia passes is greater than 2 centimeters.

Hiatal hernias that are not causing symptoms of acid reflux do not need treatment. When symptoms do occur, therapy is designed to decrease reflux. Surgery occasionally may be recommended for large hiatal hernias that cause continuing symptoms, or for hernias that become stuck inside the chest.