Question:
what is a hernia?

I heard that if your not careful and you push yourself to much at first you can get a hernia? what is that and what causes it? thanks    — Jennifer L. (posted on June 9, 2001)

June 9, 2001
A hernia is another word for rupture. It is a weakness in the muscle of the abdomen wall, where the intestine bulges out. Over exertion could cause it, therefore, after surgery it's best to wait until the doc gives you the go ahead to exercise. This problem doesn't only affect heavy people, my husband, a skinny guy, suffered a strangulated hernia last year. This is very serious but less common, where the intestine becomes trapped or kinked and loses it's blood supply, usually requiring emergency surgery. Any hernia once developed will not go away by itself, or by any medicine. It generally continues to grow, until eventually surgery is required to repair it. Hope that's not too much info for you. ;-)
   — [Anonymous]