How would you know you have a hernia? A bulge may appear beneath your skin that's achy or painful, and it may become more obvious when you cough or strain. A hernia occurs when organs protrude from their cavity, such as intestines coming through a weak point in the abdominal wall. Usually, hernias require a surgical repair, says Moustafa Hassan, MD, director of Upstate's Hernia and Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Program. He and nurse navigator Shawna White explain what to expect if you're diagnosed with a hernia.