What AreHernias?
A hernia is when a part of an organ—usually in the abdomen, like the intestines—becomes displaced and protrudes through a weakened area in the tissue or muscle containing it.
This may be due to either weakness in the muscles, excessive pressure which pushed the organ against its surrounding tissue or muscle, or both. Examples of excessive pressure includes chronic coughing, chronic constipation or pregnancy, which can repeatedly and forcefully push internal organs against the surrounding muscles.
Though common and usually only causing minimal to no discomfort, hernias may lead to serious complications in the future. One of the more dangerous complication is strangulation of the intestines. This happens when the intestines are pushed out through the hernia, and the hernia opening squeezes on the blood supply of the intestines, causing the intestines to die.