Every year approximately 750,000 seek treatment for hernias, but many physicians believe hundreds of thousands choose to suffer in silence, primarily because they fear painful surgery.

Pain is often the first sign for many people that they have a hernia. Hernia patient Mark Fragos says, "It hurt, I mean, it was a tremendous amount of pain."

General surgeon Jose Manibo explains that there are different types of hernias but the most common hernia is a defect in the abdominal wall. "Usually with adults we'll see it as an acquired condition from say heavy lifting where there's increased abdominal pressure."

Although pain is not always a symptom of a hernia, one definite sign is groin discomfort that may worsen when you bend or lift.

Mark also says, " I picked up a box and it felt like it hurt. Anyone that feels this type of pain should get it diagnosed and should get it treated. The treatment is far better than living with the pain."

Dr. Manibo says that getting your hernia checked should not be something to fear. If you let your condition go, the hernia becomes more dangerous and more difficult to repair. "It's not going to get better, you've got a defect there and there's something physically wrong with the abdominal wall or the inguinal canal so it's not going to get any better."

If left untreated a hernia can only worsen over time, sometimes even leading to emergency treatment.

Hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States.