This may not be a pleasant subject to discuss; however, sometimes we have to face the condition of having a hernia as explained at hernio-, herni-.
This is particularly personal because my doctor confirmed today with an ultrasonic exam that I have a hernia or rupture. Fortunately, I have no pain and because of my elderly condition, it was suggested that I not have an operation unless there is pain and I was cautioned to be careful when lifting things.
One source states that hernia probably comes from the Greek hermos, "a sprout", since it referred to the protruding bud of a plant.
The allusion originally was to any unsightly bulge from the body. Later, it was the essential definition established as a protrusion through an abnormal opening.
More specifically, a hernia often refers to an opening or weakness in the muscular structure of the wall of the abdomen. This defect causes a bulging of the abdominal wall.
This bulging is usually more noticeable when the abdominal muscles are tightened, thereby increasing the pressure in the abdomen. Examples of activities that can worsen a hernia are lifting, coughing, or even straining to have a bowel movement.
Imagine a barrel with a hole in its side and a balloon that is blown up inside the barrel. Part of the inflated balloon would bulge out through the hole. The balloon going through the hole is like the tissues of the abdomen bulging through a hernia.