Signs & Symptoms of Hernia

According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, approximately 4.5 million people have an abdominal wall hernia each year. Hernias are caused when organs, such as intestines, push into a weakened abdominal wall. Some people are born with naturally weak abdominal walls. But strain from lifting heavy objects or even obesity can also cause them.

Inguinal Hernia

• Of all the abdominal wall hernias, inguinal hernias---also known as groin hernias---are the most frequent, according to eMedicineHealth. They're caused by a weak abdominal wall either from birth or because of surgery, obesity, straining or other activities that generate pressure on the abdomen. Men are more likely to get them than women. The most noticeable sign is a bulge in the groin area. If the bulge can be pushed back, it's often painless. If it cannot, the inguinal hernia can cause constipation, nausea and pain.

Hiatal Hernia

• When the esophagus has a larger than normal opening where it meets your stomach, a portion of your stomach can slip up through the esophagus and into your chest. This is what causes a hiatal hernia. And even though it sounds uncomfortable, most hiatal hernias are symptom-free. But if you do get symptoms, you'll most likely get heartburn and your food may burp up. These are both signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), caused from the hiatal hernia.

Femoral Hernia

• A femoral hernia shows as a lump in the top part of the thigh. They most frequently show up in women and can cause pain in the groin region when bending over or picking things up. If a femoral hernia gets stuck---called strangulation---you may feel nausea or pain. A strangulated femoral hernia should be treated quickly as it can stop blood flow, eventually causing gangrene.

Umbilical Hernia

• Though they're most common with infants, adults can also get umbilical hernias. In infants they're caused when muscles containing blood vessels in the abdomen fail to completely close. Most umbilical hernias end up closing by the age of one. But if they're still present by the age of four, or they show up in adulthood, they may require surgery. Umbilical hernias can be seen as a bulge pushing the navel outward. On babies, they're visible when the child is straining or crying.

Incisional Hernia

• Old surgical scars that have been stretched out can create a thin section on the abdominal wall. The intestines can bulge through this thin area, causing an incisional hernia. It will look like a lump around the area where you have previously healed scar tissue. Typically incisional hernias are painless. But if you're straining, lifting or coughing heavily, you might find it tender to the touch.

Obturator Hernia

• The obturator hernia is rare and can be difficult to diagnose. It's a hernia that sticks out from the pelvic cavity into the pelvic bone. They normally occur in thin women who are in their 70s or 80s. Unlike other types of hernias, obturator hernias don't produce the trademark physical bulge. You may only have a feeling of constipation or nausea. This makes them difficult for doctors to diagnose.