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.