If you’ve noticed a new lump, pain, or even acid reflux and wonder if it might be a hernia, you’re not alone. Hernias are common, but not all are dangerous. Some cause mild discomfort, while others require prompt medical attention.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the most common types, so you can understand what might be happening, know when to see a doctor, and get the right treatment to feel better.

The easiest hernias to manage

Hiatal hernias

These hernias develop when tissue from the abdominal cavity pushes up into the chest. You may not even know you have a hiatal hernia. When symptoms do appear, they are often heartburn or reflux: annoying but not life-threatening. Medicine, dietary changes, and sometimes surgery can help.

Umbilical hernias

These tend to appear near the belly button. Some babies are born with them and leave on their own. Adults can also have umbilical hernias. Unless they are large or painful, they are usually not a big deal.

The hernias that catch your attention

Inguinal hernias

This is what often comes to mind when you think of a hernia. It’s a bulge in the groin. Inguinal hernias can hurt, pull, or feel heavy, especially if you are lifting something.

As Aaron Sachs, MD, a surgeon at UVA Health with expertise in hernia repair, says: “The most common way a hernia presents is simply a mass in the groin.”

Inguinal hernias usually aren’t an emergency, but they don’t go away on their own either. Surgery to repair the hernia is usually the ideal solution.

Femoral hernias

Femoral hernias occur in the upper thigh area and are more common in women than men. These hernias can be subtle and are not always painful at first.

Sachs notes that, due to their anatomy, “women are generally more likely to have complications.”

Femoral hernias are riskier than inguinal hernias. They are more likely to crash and cause problems. That’s why your doctor will probably advise you to fix this type of hernia quickly.

Serious corporate hernias

Incisional hernias

If you have had abdominal surgery in the past, you may have one along the old scar. Incisional hernias can grow over time, pulling on the abdomen and causing discomfort.

You may need surgery if you have an incisional hernia because they rarely remain small.

Cullen Carter, MD, a UVA Health surgeon who specializes in abdominal surgery, including hernia repair, cautions, “An incisional hernia will be a more complicated repair because there is a lot of scar tissue associated with that previous surgery, so it’s a higher risk.”

Epigastric hernias

These hernias develop in the upper abdominal area. They can cause pain if tissue becomes trapped. They also tend to get worse over time. Although they are not usually an emergency, it is best not to ignore this type of hernia.

Strangulated hernias

Strangulated hernias are not actually a type of hernia: they are a complication. Any hernia can be strangulated if the blood supply is cut off. When this happens, the pain can be intense and is considered a medical emergency.

“Strangulation means that the intestine has lost its blood supply and is dying or has died,” explains Carter.

If you experience sudden, severe pain, nausea, or a hernia that changes color, you should seek care immediately.

Types of hernias: the conclusion

Not all hernias are the same. Some are more annoying. Others are dangerous and need quick treatment. The key is to know the signs, listen to your body, and don’t wait too long to see a doctor.