Would I need any tests, x-rays or scans? Not usually and even less if you are examined by a clinician with extensive experience in diagnosing all kinds of hernias. However in a small number of cases, where the symptoms are inconclusive, there are special tests that can be performed.
A physical exam is usually all that's needed to diagnose an inguinal hernia. Your doctor will check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you'll likely be asked to stand and cough or strain.
MRI Scans. Your doctor may recommend an MRI scan, particularly if your pain gets worse when you exercise. This is because, in some people, participation in sports can cause a hernia that has no visible bulge initially. An MRI scan can detect a tear in the abdominal muscles.
A: If you have a ventral hernia in the belly area, you may see or feel a bulge along the outer surface of the abdomen. Typically, patients with ventral hernias describe mild pain, aching or a pressure sensation at the site of the hernia.
A hernia diagnosis is typically based on your history of symptoms, a physical exam, and possibly imaging tests. During your exam, your doctor will typically feel around your groin and testicles, and ask you to cough. This is done because standing and coughing or straining usually make a hernia more prominent.
sudden, severe pain. being sick. difficulty pooing or passing wind. the hernia becomes firm or tender, or cannot be pushed back in.
Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia. If the hernia is small and you don't have any symptoms, or if the symptoms don't bother you much, you and your doctor may simply continue to watch for symptoms to occur.
a bulge that can ache or burn in the area that hurts; if you push on the bulge while laying down, you can usually make it go away. bending over, coughing and lifting cause pain in the area. your abdomen can feel heavy and weak or you can even feel pressure. you might also experience nausea.
Can a hiatal hernia be detected on an X-ray? Yes. Since a hiatal hernia often doesn't cause serious symptoms, the first clue that you have a hernia may come when your healthcare provider reviews a chest X-ray ordered for an unrelated issue.
If it is left untreated, a strangulated hernia can lead to life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis (severe inflammation of intestine) and sepsis. Since hernias can happen to anyone at any age, knowing warning signs of hernias and being aware of them are essential.
Some patients complain of on and off pain and discomfort in the groin region especially during physical activity and/or straining, without having any bulge on the physical examination. If there is pain due to a hernia, but without a bulge, then we refer to these as “occult” or “hidden” hernias.
A simple physical exam is often enough to diagnose a hernia, depending on the type. Your healthcare provider may be able to see or feel it, or it may emerge when they ask you to cough or adjust your position. They'll check to see if they can physically reduce it — make it go back in — to determine how serious it is.
Hernias can be evaluated with ultrasound around the belly button (umbilicus), in the groin and pubic area. These exams are usually performed at rest (patient laying supine) as well as strained breath such as Valsalva maneuver to challenge the integrity of the surrounding tissues.
Your primary care provider can diagnose a hernia. In most cases, your doctor will refer you to a general surgeon for a surgery evaluation.
Indeed, many hernias go unnoticed and undiagnosed for years, decades or even the remainder of the patient's life. Asymptomatic hernias, as they are known, do not warrant treatment, in most cases, because we simply do not know they exist, but also because the risk of strangulation is very low.
It depends on the size, location, and type of hernia. If it's not causing pain or discomfort, it may be okay to wait and monitor. However, some hernias can become incarcerated, requiring emergency surgery. It is best to seek the opinion of a hernia specialist.
You may also feel a burning or stabbing sensation or experience shooting pain. The discomfort may worsen when you're performing activities like lifting, bending or coughing, and may improve when you rest or lie down. If you're experiencing symptoms of hernia pain, it's important to seek medical attention.
With the fingers placed over the femoral region, the external inguinal ring, and the internal ring, have the patient cough. A palpable bulge or impulse located in any one of these areas may indicate a hernia. The examiner should then return to the sitting position.
Hernia emergencies
When a section of intestine is strangulated at the site of a hernia, it typically becomes an urgent event quickly. As its blood supply is cut off, symptoms emerge in rapid succession, and tissue can begin to die. Infection can set in, requiring removal of any intestine affected by the event.
Because spigelian hernias are small, difficult to feel, and don't have specific symptoms, they're often difficult to diagnose.
If you are experiencing pain or have a bulge in your abdomen or groin, it is important you see a doctor.
Conventional repair
Open hernia repair is a major surgery that's performed with the aid of general anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation.
Diagnosis could be done by ultrasound especially with the use of dynamic maneuvers; however, in cases of recurrent large incisional hernias, we recommend the use of CT as the edge of the hernia orifice may appear beyond the scope of the curvilinear abdominal low-frequency ultrasound probe.