Warning: The Embarrassing Bodies website contains images of an explicit medical nature and nudity in a medical context.

Click Continue to proceed or Back to go to Channel 4 Health

Conditions

Hernia

Hernia

If you’ve ever burst out of a corset you’ll understand what a hernia is like. In the abdominal wall there is a set of muscles that act a bit like a corset, keeping the bodies internal organs in place. When a weakness occurs in these muscles a section of the intestines pokes out under the skin, providing endless opportunities for tricks in the pub. Whilst an ordinary hernia provides only mild discomfort, there is a danger that they can become strangulated, which is when the blood supply is cut off. This requires surgery, so any hernia should be checked out by your GP. Hernia operations are the most common operation performed by the NHS in the UK, and heavy lifting, coughing or sport most frequently causes them. They can also occur in childbirth, which considering the amount of straining involved, is hardly surprising.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments

You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments are reviewed before they are published.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

I am a 30 yearold woman with 5 children, I developed an inguinal hernia after my 4th child but fell pregnant whilst waiting for my operation. I eneded up having the operation soon after having my 5th child. It has been a year since my op but now I have lots of hard painful lumps in my stomach around where I had the operation. Also Im still numb in places.

i have been lifting weights for over a year and the other day i felt something rip in the middle of my body, but the pain was in the middle below my chest. I cant feel a lump yet but have got bad backache does this sound like a hernia?

i have two little lumps on my left side of my stomach. My doctor said that they were lypomas. I have recently discovered one right underneath my nipple.

i had been lifting weights everyday for about a month and noticed a lump in the middle of my chest, where my ribs meet, but i was also losing abit of weight at the same time so i didnt know if it had always been there or if it is a hernia.
could you be able to help me on knowing if it is a hernia?
thankyou.

I am a 13 year old girl and I had a hernia on my belly button when i was 6. I had to have an operation which made me have an inny instead of an outy. But im a little worried about whether it is likely or not to whether i would get another one?

I have noticed that there is a lump inbetween my pubic area and I don't know what to do? The lump comes and goes and it make me feel sick sometimes, but I don't know if this has anything to do with it.

Could you please help?

Thanks

ive had a hernia operation now 3 years ago and i still have pains from it and its also giving me a pain inmy chest aswell what shall i do go back to my local doctors

im 17 and since i was 12 ive been having a real discomfort in ma belly everytime a sneeze, cough, laugh alot, be sick or even have the hiccups i get a hard lumps coming out. it feels like really bad cramp the worst it could be. wen i go out to the pub at the weekend and im having a luagh with my friends and laugh too much the lump comes out and i can't sit properly and pull funny faces because of the pain its really embarrassing.
I went to see my GP and he told me if it got worse i would need to get surgery

i am a 48 year old man with a hernia on my belly button i would like some information about it if you have any.




This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published - it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 were to need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don't swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines


Important Notice

The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.


If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here


Videos

  1. Am I Normal - Acne

    Am I Normal Acne

    Dr Dawn Harper discusses the causes and treatments of acne, including the opinions of the cast of Hollyoaks.

  2. Am I Normal - After Sex

    Am I Normal After Sex

    Dr Dawn Harper discusses what is and isn't normal after sex, including discussions with the cast of Hollyoaks.

  3. Am I Normal - Body Odour

    Am I Normal Body Odour

    Dr Dawn Harper discusses what is and isn't normal when it comes to body odour, including discussions with the cast of Hollyoaks.

  4. Am I Normal - Breasts

    Am I Normal Breasts

    Dr Dawn Harper discusses breast development amongst teenage girls, explaining what is and isn't normal. Includes the cast of Ho…

  5. Am I Normal - Hair

    Am I Normal Hair

    Dr Dawn Harper discusses what is and isn't normal when it comes to body hair. Includes discussions with the cast of Hollyoaks.

  6. Am I Normal - Penis

    Am I Normal Penis

    Dr Dawn Harper discusses what is and isn't normal when it comes to penis size and shape. Includes discussion with the cast of H…

  7. Am I Normal - Periods

    Am I Normal Periods

    Dr Dawn Harper discusses all matters relating to periods and what is and isn't normal. Includes discussions with the cast of Ho…

  8. Am I Normal - Vagina

    Am I Normal Vagina

    Dr Dawn Harper discusses what is and isn't normal when it comes to vaginas. Includes discussions with the cast of Hollyoaks.


Advertisement