1. Hernias are Common – If you have a hernia, you’re not alone. Over five million people get diagnosed with a hernia every year.¹ The most common location affects the inguinal canal in the groin. These hernias account for 75% of all cases — most often in men (or those assigned male at birth).²
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2. Hernia Repair is Also Common – A hernia will not go away on its own; surgery is required to repair a hernia. As many as one million hernia repairs take place each year in the U.S.³ There are several ways to treat a hernia:
   1. Non-Surgical Options
      • If your hernia is asymptomatic, your doctor may choose to “watch and wait” and offer personalized treatment recommendations based on the size, location, and symptoms associated with your hernia. You can also speak to your doctor about the use of hernia support pieces and clothing that can temporarily ease physical discomfort.
   2. Surgical Options³
      • Laparoscopic repair: The surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdomen that allow surgical tools into the openings to repair the hernia. 
      • Robotic repair: Like laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery requires small incisions to repair your hernia. The surgeon uses surgical instruments, such as a camera, and controls the procedure from a specialized robotic console.³
      • Open Repair: The surgeon makes an incision near the hernia and repairs the weak muscle area. Open repair can be done with or without surgical mesh.
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3. Needing Emergency Treatment for a Hernia is Rare – Only 3-5% of hernias require emergency treatment for a bowel obstruction or strangulation of trapped organs.³ If your hernia changes color, goes numb, or causes symptoms like fever, nausea and vomiting, immediate medical attention is required.³ If you are not sure whether you need emergency treatment, call your doctor right away.
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4. You Can Minimize the Risk of Hernias – While hernias cannot be prevented (certain types of hernias may be present at birth), you can minimize the risk of developing a hernia. Proper lifting techniques, maintaining a healthy body weight, increasing core strength, quitting smoking, and avoiding chronic coughing, sneezing, or straining are all steps that can be taken to help minimize the risk of developing a hernia.
   Download 5 Steps to Lower Your Risk of Developing a Hernia →
   
   
5. Hernia Mesh May Help to Minimize Recovery Time³ – In a hernia repair surgery, a mesh implant is often used to reinforce the weakened tissue of the abdominal wall and close the opening. The vast majority (over 90%) of hernia repairs utilize mesh, which may improve patient outcomes through decreased operative time and minimized recovery time.^3,4 However, recovery time depends on the type of hernia, the surgical approach (for example, open or laparoscopic surgery), and the patient’s condition both before and after surgery. Please visit Surgical Mesh in Hernia Repair to learn more about the benefits and risks of surgical mesh.
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6. A Healthy Diet May Help Ease Symptoms – For some types of hernias (like hiatal), what you eat can make a difference in feeling common symptoms, like heartburn or acid reflux. Eating healthy foods and avoiding certain unhealthy foods can help limit your risk of GERD-like (gastroesophageal reflux disease) symptoms and better cope with conditions associated with your hernia.
   Read 8 Ways to Eat Smarter for Hiatal Hernia →
   
   
7. Finding Hernia Care Near You is Easy with Surgeon Finder! – Visit our Surgeon Finder page to find hernia care near you. Simply enter your location to locate surgeons and hospitals in your area. You can also filter by preferences such as hernia type, distance, surgical procedure, and mesh type to find the right surgeon for you.
   See Surgeon Finder →

The guidance provided in this article follows general rules that should be discussed with your doctor. This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not substitute for medical advice. If in doubt, always consult your doctor.