Is It a Hernia? How to Spot the Signs and Symptoms

Hernias are an extremely common condition that affects people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Chances are, you’ve heard of other people getting hernias—but how do you know if you have one yourself? 

Before you start searching for ‘hernia surgery near me,’ take some time to review the common symptoms. Of course, you should still schedule a medical consult, but having a thorough understanding of hernia symptoms and complications ensures you seek medical attention early enough to avoid an emergency.

Here’s your guide to the types, symptoms, and potential complications of a hernia.

Anatomy of a Hernia

Hernias occur when a portion of an organ pushes through the muscle or tissue that contains it. They usually appear in the abdominal, groin, and lower chest areas. The intestines are the most commonly affected organ, although some hernias involve abdominal tissue and even the stomach.

The typical hernia ‘bulge’ might present as asymptomatic at the start, but it doesn’t go away on its own. On the contrary, it worsens with time as it becomes more stuck. The trapped organ requires surgical attention to return to its original place. Without such treatment, the organ becomes strangulated and potentially fatal. 

Common Types of Hernias and Their Locations

Several types of hernias exist, usually categorized by their location. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Epigastric: Epigastric hernias appear in the upper abdomen, between the belly button and the diaphragm. 
• Femoral: Femoral hernias are a rare type of groin hernia. They occur when a piece of intestine or fatty tissue pushes into the femoral canal at the top of the inner thigh. 
• Hiatal: When a portion of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity, it causes a hiatal hernia.
• Incisional: As the name implies, an incisional hernia occurs at the site of a previous surgical incision. 
• Inguinal: The most common type of hernia is the inguinal hernia, which usually occurs in men. They push through the inguinal canal in the lower abdomen and into the groin—hence the common name ‘groin hernia.
• Umbilical: An umbilical hernia is located in the weak area around the belly button. It’s most common in infants and usually goes away as the wound heals. However, umbilical hernias also occur in adults, particularly in women who are (or have been) pregnant. 
• Ventral: This refers to a general category of hernias located in the central abdominal area. Ventral hernias include umbilical, epigastric, and some incision hernias (depending on the location of the incision site).

General Symptoms of a Hernia

The most telling sign of a hernia is a lump or bulge in the affected. It might come and go (called a reducible hernia), especially in the early stages. Activities like lifting a heavy object, coughing, or sitting up can strain the abdominal muscles and cause the hernia to momentarily pop out.

Over time, that bulge becomes a constant presence, often accompanied by pain or discomfort. The pain might arise when you touch the hernia or when you strain with certain exercises or movements. Other common symptoms include abdominal pressure and a light burn or ache in the area.  

Specific Symptoms for Different Hernia Types

Aside from those general indications, each hernia type causes unique symptoms due to its location. Keep in mind, though, that many early-stage hernias are asymptomatic and easy to overlook.

The following symptoms usually occur when the hernia is already somewhat advanced—perhaps even incarcerated (non-reducible). 

• Epigastric: As a ventral hernia, an epigastric hernia often causes digestive problems like constipation or bloating. 
• Femoral: Not only is a femoral hernia rare, but it also causes little to no symptoms until it’s a more severe situation.
• Hiatal: Because a hiatal hernia pushes through the diaphragm and into the chest, it affects the normal flow of food from the esophagus into the stomach. The muscle that usually closes the connection between the esophagus and stomach no longer functions normally, and acid backflow easily rises into the esophagus. So one of the most common symptoms of a hiatal hernia is chronic acid reflux and even esophageal damage.
• Incisional: The particular symptoms of an incisional hernia depend on the location. A painful bulge at a prior incisional site is the most telling sign, but it often comes with nausea and constipation.
• Inguinal: Patients typically experience pain or pressure in the groin region, especially when straining or coughing. The discomfort might even manifest as a burning feeling that travels down the leg.
• Umbilical: Umbilical hernias cause a bulge in or around the navel. Patients usually also experience constipation, nausea, abdominal or chest pressure, and sensitivity in the umbilical region.

Factors That Increase Hernia Risk

Some people are naturally predisposed to hernias. For example, men are much more likely to develop an inguinal hernia than women, and those with a family history of hernias have a higher risk of also developing one.

Lifestyle factors also increase hernia risk. Obesity, smoking, and drinking often weaken the abdomen wall, making it easy for a piece of the intestine to push through. Other things like diabetes and even the natural aging process weaken the abdominal wall and increase the potential for a hernia.

While men are more likely to get inguinal hernias, women who are or have been pregnant are at risk for ventral hernias. During pregnancy, the abdominal walls stretch, making it easy for the intestine to push through. Many often have diastasis recti after a pregnancy, which is the separation of the abdominal muscles above, below, or around the navel. This opening makes a ventral (umbilical, epigastric, etc.) hernia much more likely.

Factors, such as prior surgeries, chronic cough, and persistent constipation also make a hernia more likely. 

When to Seek Medical Advice

As a general rule, people should seek medical advice sooner rather than later. Hernias only progress with time, and the underlying fasters mentioned above often accelerate that process. It’s important for patients to understand that hernias might become emergent—even fatal—if ignored. And in an emergent situation, patients don’t have the luxury to choose what type of surgery they want. It usually ends up being an open surgery, requiring a longer healing time than laparoscopic or robotic hernia surgery in Orange County.

As soon as a patient notices a lump or the mild symptoms mentioned above (constipation, pain, nausea, etc.), they should schedule a consult with a hernia specialist. Even if the hernia is incarcerated, there’s still time to schedule consultations and explore surgical options. However, it’s nothing to take lightly.

If the patient experiences any of the following severe symptoms, they should seek immediate medical care:

• Fever
• Vomiting 
• Severe, sharp pain that gets worse
• Hernia turning reddish purple
• Firmness around the hernia
• Extreme sensitivity to touch

Complications If Left Untreated

As mentioned above, a hernia that is left untreated might become strangulated. This occurs when an incarcerated (trapped) hernia no longer receives oxygen and starts to die. Without emergency treatment, the piece of organ dies, turns gangrenous, and sends fatal toxins into the body.

The good news is that strangulated hernias are rare, especially with early intervention. That said, there are other considerations to consider. For example, an incarcerated hernia that has trapped a piece of the intestine might result in bowel obstruction. If the intestine is too tightly pinched, the bowel might not pass through normally and cause severe constipation, nausea, cramping, and vomiting.

Likewise, an untreated hiatal hernia often causes severe acid reflux. The constant backflow in the esophagus puts the patient at risk for esophageal damage, such as ulcers, inflammation, and swallowing issues.

Regardless of the type, untreated hernias might always cause increasing discomfort and limited mobility. Constipation and nausea become a regular occurrence over time, and patients need to avoid activities like combat sports, lifting, and abdominal exercises. 

Self-Examination Tips

Self-diagnosing a hernia is difficult, especially since there are other possible causes for lumps under the skin. Patients who suspect a hernia should seek a medical consult rather than try to diagnose it themselves. 

That said, curiosity often wins out. If patients do want to check for a hernia while waiting for their upcoming consult, they should do so cautiously. One option is to stand in front of a mirror and check for any bulges when they cough or lift something. For potential ventral hernias, patients should lie down and lift their heads up or do a crunch. If a lump forms when straining, chances are it’s a hernia.   

Diagnosing a Hernia

The best way to diagnose a hernia is with a medical consult. Specialists typically do a physical exam to feel for a lump or bulge. Since that’s the first noticeable sign of a hernia, a physical examination is usually enough to diagnose a hernia.

However, some patients have complex hernias that require further testing to confirm the diagnosis and better visualize the severity. Common assessments include imaging tests like a CT scan or ultrasound. 

Conclusion

Hernias come in all shapes and sizes—but they all present an equal risk of complications. If you’ve read through the list of hernia symptoms and believe you have one, contact an experienced hernia specialist immediately. 

The sooner you seek medical attention, the better. Not only does early intervention reduce the risk of complications, but it also increases the possibility of minimally invasive hernia surgery in Orange County.

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