Digestive Disorders Health Center

Understanding Hernia -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of a Hernia?

For inguinal, femoral, umbilical, and incisional hernias, symptoms could include:

• An obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or the groin; it may disappear when you lie down and may be tender.
• A heavy feeling in the abdomen that is sometimes accompanied by constipation or blood in the stool
• Discomfort in the abdomen or groin when lifting or bending over

Symptoms for a hiatal hernia may include heartburn and upper abdominal pain.

Call Your Doctor About a Hernia If:

• You suspect that you have a hernia. Sometimes hernias require urgent medical care; an accurate diagnosis is important.
• If you can't get the hernia to go back in; this is called an incarcerated hernia and can lead to organ strangulation.
• You know you have a hernia, and you are nauseated and vomiting or are unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas; you may have a strangulated hernia or an obstruction, which are emergencies. Seek medical care immediately.