How Can I Tell If I have a Hernia

What are hernias?

The hernias referred to in this Medical Minute are groin, or inguinal hernias,. More commonly found in men, an inguinal hernia occurs when part of the small intestine protrudes through a tear or weakness in your groin (the area between your abdomen and your thigh). Anybody can get an inguinal hernia, but it is more common among males.

Watch this Doctors Express Medical Minute to find out what you should do if you think you might have a hernia

Hernias form as a bulge accompanied by pain, in their groin. Men have an approximate 27% lifetime risk of having hernia at some point in their life, where as women have a much lower incidence- only 3% of women will experience a hernia at some point in their life. Other types of hernias, such as abdominal hiatal hernias are also common, but groin hernias tend to outnumber abdominal hernias by about 3 to 1.