What Is a Hernia?
6. What Are the Causes of a Hernia?
There is no one cause for a hernia. Some people are born with a hernia, and others develop them over time or because of a specific injury. Nearly all hernias occur because of a weakness in the abdominal wall, which allows internal contents, such as the intestines, to push through. Because of the opening caused during this pressure event, the hernia can appear smaller or larger during different activities. For example, most hernias decrease in size when you lay down and increase when you stand up. The variation is caused by gravity and pressure.
Hernias often occur because of an increased pressure event, like an accident or lifting something heavy. While these events might increase the risk of a hernia developing, it is likely that the patient was already at risk of a hernia.
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