Hernia Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of a hernia can range from noticing a painless lump to the painful, tender, swollen protrusion of tissue that you are unable to push back into the abdomen -- an incarcerated strangulated hernia.

• Reducible hernia



• It may appear as a new lump in the groin or other abdominal-wall area.



• It may ache but is not tender when touched.



• Sometimes pain precedes the discovery of the lump.



• The lump increases in size when standing or when abdominal pressure is increased (such as coughing).



• It may be reduced (pushed back into the abdomen) unless very large.



• Irreducible hernia



• It may be an occasionally painful enlargement of a previously reducible hernia that cannot be returned into the abdominal cavity on its own or when you push it.



• Some may be chronic (occur over a long term) without pain.



• It's also known as an incarcerated hernia.



• It can lead to strangulation.



• Signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction may occur, such as nausea and vomiting.



• Strangulated hernia



• It's an irreducible hernia in which the entrapped intestine has its blood supply cut off.



• Pain is always present, followed quickly by tenderness and sometimes symptoms of bowel obstruction (nausea and vomiting).



• The affected person may appear ill with or without fever.



• It's a surgical emergency.