ultimately all hernias are caused by a combination of pressure and an opening or weakness of muscle or fascia: the pressure pushes an organ or tissue through the opening or weak spot. sometimes the muscle weakness is present at birth; more often it occurs later in life. poor nutrition smoking and overexertion all can weaken muscles and make hernias more likely. anything that causes an increase in pressure in the abdomen can then cause a hernia including obesity lifting heavy objects diarrhea or constipation or persistent coughing or sneezing.
what causes hernia?