Even if a hernia doesn't cause pain or discomfort, it almost certainly will cause a lump under your skin where the abdominal wall has torn. These can be hard to spot if they occur in the inguinal canal in the groin area, as most hernias do.

Is it possible to have a hernia without a bulge?

No swelling or lump to see or feel means no hernia, but a hernia is not always obvious to the patient and a proper examination by an experienced practitioner is often required.

What can be mistaken for a hernia?

(SLS). Hernias can go misdiagnosed in women, and can instead be thought to be ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, or other abdominal issues, according to the SLS. Women's hernias can be small and internal. They might not be a bulge that can be felt in an exam or be visible outside the body, according to the SLS.

Is there always a bulge with a inguinal hernia?

The primary symptom of an inguinal hernia is a lump or bulge in the area of the groin. That bulge may appear all of a sudden, after you have been coughing, laughing, lifting heavy weights, or otherwise straining, or it may develop over a longer period of weeks or even months.

How do I check myself for a hernia?

How to tell you have a hernia

1. Feel for a lump or swelling around the pubic bone.
2. If you find a lump, make note of where it is and lie down.
3. Did the lump disappear or become smaller? If so, it may be a hernia.
4. Do you feel discomfort when coughing or lifting heavy objects? It's almost certainly a hernia.

Can a hernia present without a bulge? Explained by David Albin, M.D. F.A.C.S.

21 related questions found

Do hernias hurt to touch?

Most hernias are not painful. However, sometimes the area around your hernia may be tender and you may feel some sharp twinges or a pulling sensation. As your hernia gets bigger, your pain and discomfort may increase.

Is a hernia a hard lump?

It most often feels soft, but it may be firm depending on its underlying cause. In most cases, a lump is caused by a hernia. An abdominal hernia is when the abdominal cavity structures push through a weakness in your abdominal wall muscles. Usually, this can be easily corrected with surgery.

How do you tell the difference between a hernia and a pulled muscle?

Physical Lumps and Bumps

When someone experiences a pulled abdominal muscle, there can be inflammation and some swelling, but generally no physically-identifiable marker. A hernia usually causes a noticeable bulge on the surface of the abdomen. This bulge can be painless but change in size with exertion.

Do hernias hurt when you lay down?

Symptoms of inguinal hernia include: a bulge that can ache or burn in the area that hurts; if you push on the bulge while laying down, you can usually make it go away. bending over, coughing and lifting cause pain in the area.

What is a hidden hernia?

An occult hernia or hidden hernia, also commonly referred to as an occult inguinal hernia, is an undetectable mass of herniated tissue. It is usually impossible to discover through a physical examination or even with an ultrasound.

What does a hernia lump feel like?

A person with an inguinal hernia may notice: pain when coughing, bending over, or lifting something. a burning or aching sensation where the lump has developed. a feeling of heaviness or weakness in the abdomen.

Would a hernia hurt all the time?

Typically, patients with ventral hernias describe mild pain, aching or a pressure sensation at the site of the hernia. The discomfort worsens with any activity that puts a strain on the abdomen, such as heavy lifting, running or bearing down during bowel movements. Some patients have a bulge but do not have discomfort.

Do hernias feel better in the morning?

Some people feel these symptoms after sitting for long periods of time or after exercise. Most people describe symptoms as discomfort, pressure or mild pain. Many feel great in the morning when they first wake up, and have the most discomfort at the end of the day.

Is walking good for hernia?

If you're experiencing pain with your hernia, you may notice that the more intense the workout is, the worse your symptom gets. This is why if you're experiencing this, it's best to stick with less-intense workouts such as walking and jogging (over running).

How big is a hernia lump?

These hernias are often so small that they may go unnoticed. Umbilical hernia — Intestine or fat bulges through the abdominal wall under the navel. The area of weakness in the abdominal wall can be very small (less than half an inch) or it can be as large as 2 to 3 inches.

Can hernia heal itself?

Hernias don't go away on their own. Only surgery can repair a hernia. Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia.

What are the symptoms of a abdominal hernia?

Signs and Symptoms of a Hernia

• An obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or the groin. ...
• A heavy feeling in the abdomen that sometimes comes with constipation or blood in the stool.
• Discomfort in the abdomen or groin when lifting or bending over.
• A burning or aching sensation at the bulge.

Can a tumor be mistaken for a hernia?

Liposarcomas are the most common soft tissue sarcomas which occur predominantly in the thigh or retroperitoneum. Due to their size, lipomatous tumours can present as hernias either in the abdominal wall or in the groin.

Can fat be mistaken for a hernia?

Often asymptomatic, femoral lipoma may growth within the circumscribed space of the femoral fossa causing pain and discomfort. A worsening pain caused by a lipomatous mass in the femoral area is a clinical feature that can mislead the diagnosis, resembling the more common condition of femoral hernia.

How long can a hernia go untreated?

If this condition is left untreated longer than 6 hours, incarcerated hernia can cut off blood flow to part of the intestine, resulting in strangulated hernia.

What does a tumor feel like in abdomen?

Symptoms of a tumor in the abdomen may include indigestion and stomach discomfort, bloating after eating, nausea, loss of appetite and heartburn.

Does a hernia make you urinate more?

Sometimes a patient's bladder will be trapped within the hernia. If this happens, you could experience urinary burning, frequent infections, bladder stones and hesitancy or frequency in urinating.

Does lying down help a hernia?

Lying down allows the tissue in the sac to go back to its normal position and the lump will temporarily disappear. What causes a hernia?

Does sitting make hernia worse?

Certain activities tend to make hernia symptoms worse. These may include prolonged standing, prolonged sitting, coughing, laughing, sneezing, straining during a bowel movement, sexual intercourse, getting in and out of a car or bed, bending forward, or crossing legs.

How do you know when a hernia is getting worse?

1. Sudden or worsening pain. Some hernias cause pain or sensations like aching, heaviness, or weakness. If you notice sudden pain or pain that's gotten significantly worse, it could be a sign of a severe hernia complication called strangulation.