What is the cause of a hernia?

A hernia results when there is both a weakness in a muscle or connective tissue wall and pressure pushing from inside that wall. Thus the causes can be divided:

• Weakness: Congenital (born with a weak spot) or acquired (aging, previous surgery, trauma).
• Increased intra-abdominal pressure: Heavy lifting, chronic coughing, obesity, straining during bowel movements, pregnancy. These push organs outward.

Other risk factors: being male (for inguinal hernia), older age, prior hernia, smoking (weakens tissue), connective-tissue disorders.