What are the symptoms of a hernia?
Pain:
A hernia may cause no pain at all. When a hernia tends to develop, the patient complains of dragging or aching pain. It may get worse as the day passes. This pain may even occur over a long period before a hernia is noticed. However, when it is fully developed it does not cause pain as long as it is not strangulated. Strangulation of a hernia refers to the compromised blood supply to the hernia or hernia sac. When it is strangulated, the patient complains of severe pain all over the abdomen.
Lump or bulge appearance:
A hernia may appear when straining like coughing or lifting a heavy weight. An inguinal hernia appears in the groin and gradually makes its way down to the scrotum, while a femoral hernia appears below the groin crease and ascends gradually (it may appear as a grape-sized lump in your groin in the inner upper part of your thigh).
Emergency symptoms:
If the hernia is obstructed, it may cause intestinal obstruction causing colicky pain (a pain which comes and goes), vomiting, distension of the abdomen and constipation. The character of vomitus should be noted, it could be bilious (containing bile - a dark green to yellowish brown fluid) or be accompanied by faecal odour. You should go immediately to the accident and emergency (A&E) department of your nearest hospital.
A hernia may cause no pain at all. When a hernia tends to develop, the patient complains of dragging or aching pain. It may get worse as the day passes. This pain may even occur over a long period before a hernia is noticed. However, when it is fully developed it does not cause pain as long as it is not strangulated. Strangulation of a hernia refers to the compromised blood supply to the hernia or hernia sac. When it is strangulated, the patient complains of severe pain all over the abdomen.
Lump or bulge appearance:
A hernia may appear when straining like coughing or lifting a heavy weight. An inguinal hernia appears in the groin and gradually makes its way down to the scrotum, while a femoral hernia appears below the groin crease and ascends gradually (it may appear as a grape-sized lump in your groin in the inner upper part of your thigh).
Emergency symptoms:
If the hernia is obstructed, it may cause intestinal obstruction causing colicky pain (a pain which comes and goes), vomiting, distension of the abdomen and constipation. The character of vomitus should be noted, it could be bilious (containing bile - a dark green to yellowish brown fluid) or be accompanied by faecal odour. You should go immediately to the accident and emergency (A&E) department of your nearest hospital.