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Conditions That Increase Abdominal Pressure and the Risk of Hernia

Conditions that can increase the pressure within the abdominal cavity, causing an inguinal hernia to bulge, include:

  • Being overweight.
  • Lifting weights that are too heavy for your body size.
  • Having problems with constipation or with the urinary tract, which may cause you to strain during bowel movements or urination.
  • Coughing frequently because of an upper respiratory infection, or because of smoking, chronic bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, or allergies.
  • Being pregnant.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery
Last Revised April 26, 2011

Last Revised: April 26, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery

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