- Is there an unknown bulge in your abdomen or groin area?
- Do you have discomfort in your abdomen or groin when you bend or lift something?
- Do you suffer from acid reflux, difficulty swallowing or regurgitation?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to consult a health care professional about a possible hernia
See Hernia Signs & Symptoms Checklist
Obesity creates more pressure in the abdomen. As pressure increases, so does the risk of hernia formation, particularly if a previous abdominal surgery has taken place.1
Pregnancy, particularly undergoing labor, increases pressure throughout the body and in the abdomen. Women who have undergone labor are more likely to have hernias than those who have not.1
Repetitive weightlifting exercises or jobs that require frequent lifting of heavy materials can increase pressure in the abdomen. Over time, these activities can lead to a hernia formation.1
Coughing increases pressure in the abdomen. The presence of a persistent cough over a long period of time from illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can lead to hernia formation.1,3
A history of smoking can lead to increased likelihood of developing inguinal or incisional hernias.4
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Strangulated
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Congenital
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Incisional
A health care provider typically bases the diagnosis of a hernia on a physical examination, depending on the hernia type. While standing, a patient may be asked to cough, which increases pressure inside the abdominal cavity, and the hernia may bulge outward. Your health care provider may be able to see or feel it and try to make it go back in to determine how serious it is.
Sometimes ultrasounds or CT scans are also used to assist in making a hernia diagnosis.
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