What Does a Hernia Feel Like? Symptoms to Know

Key Takeaways

The common thing among all hernias is that some tissue pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding tissues. Different types of hernias cause different symptoms depending on the location.
Warning signs of hernia include a painful bulge that doesn't go away, severe or worsening pain, fever and fast heart rate, nausea and/or vomiting, constipation, or difficulty having bowel movements.
Health conditions, such as hematomas (collections of blood), lipomas (benign tumors of fatty tissue), and diastasis recti (a weakness in the large abdominal muscles), can be mistaken for a hernia.

Hernias occur due to a weakness in the muscle and connective tissue, usually in the groin or abdominal wall, through which tissue protrudes. They cause a visible bulge and pain or discomfort. Please continue reading to find out some common symptoms and signs of a hernia.

How do you know if you have a hernia?

The common thing among all hernias is that some tissue pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding tissues. However, different types of hernias cause different symptoms depending on the location. Hernia symptoms include the following:

Ventral hernias

A ventral hernia (also called abdominal hernia) occurs due to a weakness in the abdominal wall muscles through which the intestine protrudes. It can result from chronic cough, heavy lifting, injuries, pregnancy, constipation, or prior abdominal surgery.

Signs and symptoms of this type of hernia include a bulge or lump in the abdomen, which is more pronounced with coughing, pain around the bulge, difficulty with bowel movement (constipation), thin or narrow stools, fever, nausea, vomiting, and a rapid heart rate.

Inguinal hernias

An inguinal hernia, also called a groin hernia, develops due to a weakening in the lower abdominal wall on either side of the pubic bone in the groin region (between the abdomen and upper thigh).

Inguinal hernias can occur at any age and are more common in men than women. They can be a direct, indirect, or femoral hernia. Direct inguinal hernias most commonly affect middle aged and older men and are very rare in women. Indirect inguinal hernias are also more common in men. Femoral hernias occur in the femoral canal near the front and inner thigh and are more common in women.

Hernia signs and symptoms include a bulge that appears while straining and disappears when lying down, a sudden severe pain in the groin or scrotum when straining or doing strenuous physical activity and an aching, burning, pressure or weakness in the groin area.

Umbilical hernias

An umbilical hernia occurs at the umbilicus (belly button) due to a weakness in the abdominal wall. It is common in newborns and causes a bulge or swelling at the belly button, which is more obvious when the baby cries. Umbilical hernias often close naturally by 4 to 5 years of age.

Incisional hernias

An incisional hernia develops at the site of an incision (cut). Approximately one-third of people who undergo abdominal surgery develop this type of hernia. Symptoms and signs of a hernia at an incisional site include a bulge or lump, hernia pain, fever, fast heart rate, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and thin or narrow stools.

Hiatal hernias

A hiatal hernia is different from other types of hernias in that it occurs due to a weakness in the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the chest cavity and abdominal cavity). In people with a hiatus hernia, a part of the stomach pushes into the chest and causes symptoms such as acid reflux, heartburn, a sour taste in the mouth, belching, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, fatigue, and anemia.

What are the 5 warning signs of hernia?

The 5 warning signs of hernia for which you should seek emergency medical care include:

A painful bulge that doesn't go away or become smaller when you lie down
Severe or worsening pain
Fever and fast heart rate
Nausea and/or vomiting
Constipation or difficulty having bowel movements

Most hernias are not emergencies. However, sometimes, a part of the intestine can become trapped and unable to move back into the abdomen. This is called an incarcerated hernia. If blood flow to the trapped intestine is cut off, it is called a strangulated hernia.

A strangulated hernia with interrupted blood supply is a life-threatening medical emergency. Signs and symptoms include redness in the affected area, pain (severe pain, sharp pain, or worsening pain), fullness or bloating, a visible lump that is dark colored, fever, fast heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

How do I check myself for a hernia?

You can check yourself for a hernia by standing in front of a mirror and looking for a noticeable bulge. If a lump or bulge is present, check to see if it is more prominent with straining, coughing, bending, or heavy lifting and whether it disappears when you lay down.

Note: Only a healthcare provider can make a hernia diagnosis and tell you whether you need surgical hernia repair.

Can a hernia go away on its own?

Unfortunately, no. A hernia will not go away on its own. It will need to be surgically repaired. This can be a minimally invasive or open surgery. Most hernia repairs are successful. But hernia recurrence can occur in a small number of people, even months or years later. Umbilical hernia often goes away without any active treatment as the child grows.

Note: Not all hernias require surgery. Your healthcare team may recommend surgical repair only if the internal organs and tissue protruding are causing severe symptoms.

What can be mistaken for a hernia?

Hematomas (collections of blood), lipomas (benign tumors of fatty tissue), and diastasis recti (complete or incomplete separation of the large abdominal muscles) can be mistaken for a hernia. In women, gynecological problems like ovarian cysts and fibroids can be mistaken for hernias. In newborn boys, an undescended testicle can look like a hernia. Gastrointestinal conditions and muscle strains and sprains can cause symptoms similar to hernias.

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