The following are the risk factors for inguinal hernia:a) Family history of inguinal herniab) Weight lifterc) COPDd) Femalee) Obesity

2 factors are responsible for causing any hernia: weakness of abdominal muscle chronically increased intraabdominal pressure Weakness of abdominal muscles 1. Patent processus vaginalis 2. Patent canal of Nuck causes indirect inguinal hernia in females 3. Connective tissue disorders like Ehlers Danlos syndrome 4. Congenital condition like Exstrophy of bladder, Prune belly syndrome 5. Advancing age and chronic debilitating diseases Increased abdominal pressure Marked obesity Abdominal strain from heavy exercise or lifting Chronic cough in bronchitis, tuberculosis etc. (Whoopic cough in children) Chronic constipation with straining at stool Enlarged prostate with straining at micturition Pregnancy Cirrhosis with ascites Chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis Intraabdominal tumors Chronically enlarged pelvic organs Other risk factors Family history Sex - Indirect inguinal are more common in boys Preterm babies History of hernia - h/o of hernia on one side is risk factor for the other side.