Treatment Choice - Treatment Choice | Compare Prices | Find Hospital | A hernia occurs when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall.<br/>In many cases, hernias cause no or very few symptoms, although you may notice a swelling or lump in your tummy (abdomen) or groin.<br/>The lump can often be pushed back in, or will disappear when you lie down. Coughing or straining may make the lump appear.