Hernia Symptoms

Symptoms of a hernia
Most hernias cause a bulge under the skin, whose location depends on the specific type of hernia you are experiencing. Most commonly, the main symptom of a hernia is the appearance of a lump in your abdomen or groin area. Some hernias can cause twinges of pain or a pulling sensation, but most do not cause pain. In fact, hernias are usually easier to see if you cough or strain. They also tend to be more prominent with standing and often disappear if you lie down. In some cases, you may be able to push the lump back into the abdomen. This is known as a reducible hernia. A hernia that cannot be pushed back into place is known as an irreducible hernia. Symptoms of a hernia include:

• bulge under the skin better seen when straining or coughing
• bulge that is more prominent when standing
• lump that disappears when lying horizontally
• painless lump in the abdomen or groin
• pulling sensation

Complications
People who experience irreducible hernias (lumps that cannot be pushed back into place) are more likely to experience bowel obstruction or an interruption of blood supply to the intestine, which is known as a strangulated hernia. Both a bowel obstruction and a strangulated hernia can be life-threatening and require emergency surgery. Bowel obstruction symptoms usually develop rapidly and include the following:

Bowel obstruction symptoms

• feeling bloated and full
• intense pain
• nausea
• vomiting

Strangulated hernia symptoms

• abdominal swelling
• nausea
• pain when the hernia is touched, and
• red skin around the hernia,
• steady pain that gradually gets worse
• vomiting

When to seek help
You should always see a doctor if you think you have a hernia. Even if the hernia is not causing pain, you may need to be referred to a surgeon. And there's always a chance that a hernia could lead to a more serious problem. It's important to see a doctor immediately if you experience:

• a bulge on the body that is very painful to touch
• a bulge under the skin that looks red, purple or black
• bad pain in the groin that doesn't go away
• high temperature
• you feel queasy or sick

Every person may experience different symptoms primarily depending on the type of hernia and a person’s physical health and wellness. However, only a doctor or hernia specialist can properly diagnose your signs and symptoms as to whether or not they are indeed hernia related. But what tests do they use and what can you expert during an office visit? Continue reading to learn more about how to diagnose a hernia in our Diagnosing Hernia section that follows.