There are multiple factors which can increase a risk of developing a hernia or increasing pressure on the abdominal wall. Following are the most common symptoms: a chronic cough, such as smokers cough, obesity, straining during bowel movements or while urinating, pregnancy, straining to lift heavy objects, persistent sneezing, such as that caused by allergies. There are different types of abdominal hernias such as inguinal hernia, epigastric hernia, umbilical hernia, femoral hernia and incisional hernia. Hernia usually first becomes noticeable as a bulge somewhere in the abdomin or pelvic area or in the scrotum for men. If the bulge is reducible it may enlarge when the person is standing and becomes smaller when the person lies down. The changes in the hernias size are due to the increased pressure on the abdominal wall caused by gravity when we stand. A hernia may cause sharp or dull pain that worsens when having a bowel movement, during urination or while lifting a heavy object. This