There are many different types of hernias and the most common hernias are those that occur in the abdominal wall. They occur in different areas and depending on the location, the hernia is given a different name:
Inguinal hernia - appears as a bulge in the inguinal or groin crease. It is the most common type of external hernia and more than 100,000 inguinal hernia repairs are performed in the UK each year. Inguinal hernias account for 80% of all hernias and are 25 times more common in men than women. More information on inguinal hernias.
Femoral hernia - this type of hernia causes a bulge below the groin or inguinal crease and are less common compared to inguinal hernias. They also differ from inguinal hernias in that they are more common in women compared to men. These hernias are particularly at risk of becoming irreducible and strangulated. More information on femoral hernias
Incisional hernia - abdominal surgery weakens the abdominal wall muscles and although the surgeon stitches the muscles closed after surgery, this wound is never as strong as the natural tissues. This weakness at the site of previous surgery may lead to the development of an incisional hernia. More information on incisional hernias
Umbilical hernia - this hernia appears as a soft swelling in the navel (umbilicus or belly button) area and most often appears in elderly people and middle-aged women who have had children. More information on umbilical hernias
Hiatus hernia - this very common condition differs from other hernias in that it is an internal hernia and is not obviously visible. This hernia occurs when the stomach bulges upward through the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen (the diaphragm). It is more common in women and is treated differently from other types of hernias. More information on hiatus hernias
Other types of hernias include:
Epigastric hernia occurs between the navel and the lower part of the rib cage in the midline of the abdomen. Formed in an area of relative weakness of the abdominal wall, these hernias are often painful and unable to be pushed back into the abdomen when first discovered.
Spigelian hernia is arare hernia that occurs along the edge of the rectus abdominus muscle, which is several inches to the side of the middle of the abdomen.
Obturator hernia is an extremely rare abdominal hernia which occurs mostly in women. This hernia protrudes from the pelvic cavity through an opening in the pelvic bone (obturator for men). This will not show any bulge but can lead to a bowel obstruction and may cause nausea and vomiting.
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