One day, while picking up a heavy bag of groceries, a man felt a strange pull in his lower belly. He stopped for a second. “Maybe I moved too fast,” he thought. But later that night, he noticed a small lump where the pain was. The next morning, it was still there, more noticeable when he coughed or stood up. It didn’t feel right. It wasn’t sharp pain, but it felt uncomfortable like something inside was out of place. This is how many people first notice a hernia. It starts small, almost unnoticeable, and grows slowly. At first, it might just feel like a sore muscle or a bit of pressure. But with time, the feeling changes. It’s important to find a hernia early, before it gets worse. Knowing the signs can help you understand what to look for. Experts say that about 27 out of every 100 men will get a hernia in their groin area at some time in their life. For women, it’s less common, only about 3 out of 100 will have one. That’s why it's important to understand what a hernia really feels like and when to see a doctor (source).
A small soft lump or bulge
The lump may get bigger when you stand, cough, or lift something
The area may feel heavy, weak, or uncomfortable
Sometimes it hurts, especially when you bend or lift things
You might feel pressure or a pulling feeling in that area
Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernias in both men and women. They happen more often in people who are born male because of the way the groin area is shaped. For this kind of hernia, the most common sign is a painless lump in the belly or groin area. Some lumps can always be seen, but others may only show up when doing things like pushing during a bowel movement or lifting heavy things. Sometimes, these lumps can feel sore or painful. An incarcerated inguinal hernia is a serious problem and needs quick medical help. This happens when the tissue that is sticking out gets stuck and can’t go back inside. This can happen with other hernias too. When this happens, it can stop other body systems from working, like the digestive system. If you have signs of an incarcerated hernia, you should go to the emergency room right away (source). Signs include:
Tenderness
Belly pain
Bloating
Feeling sick (nausea)
Throwing up (vomiting)
Trouble pooping (constipation)
Incisional hernias happen after surgery in the belly area. People with these hernias may feel or see a bulge, just like with an inguinal hernia. Not all of them need treatment, but they can grow bigger over time. If someone chooses not to have surgery now, they might need it later.Some signs of an incisional hernia are:
A lump near the surgery scar or somewhere else on the belly.
It may show more when you stand or cough.
Feeling sick (nausea) or throwing up (vomiting)
Trouble pooping (constipation)
Fever
Fast heartbeat
Umbilical hernias are common, and many people don’t know they have one. They are sometimes called “outies” because the belly button sticks out instead of going in. These hernias usually don’t cause any problems except for the small lump that makes the belly button look different.Some people have had outies all their life and never knew it was a hernia. These are usually not harmful and are often very small (source).
A hiatal hernia is when the stomach pushes through the diaphragm and moves upward into the chest. Unlike other types of hernias, people with hiatal hernias might not notice a big lump or bulge. Hiatal hernias happen when the opening between the food pipe (oesophagus) and the stomach is too big. This lets the stomach slide up and down into the chest area. Even though there might not be a visible bump, hiatal hernias can have different signs that show something is wrong. Some symptoms of a hiatal hernia include:
Strong signs of acid reflux (GERD)
Food or liquid coming back up (regurgitation)
A cough that won't go away or a sore throat
GERD is a condition that affects the upper part of the stomach and how it handles food.
In a healthy system, food moves down the food pipe into the stomach. But with GERD, food can sometimes come back up. This can cause heartburn and regurgitation, which is when food comes back up after eating. A hiatal hernia can make GERD worse or cause it to start. People with hiatal hernias often have reflux that is harder to treat. They might need to take medicine regularly. One common problem with hiatal hernias is easy regurgitation. Many people say they can feel food come back up just by bending over. Some hiatal hernias can be managed with medicine and changes in daily habits, like not eating big meals before bed or using special medicines. But like other hernias, a hiatal hernia cannot go away on its own. If your symptoms are hard to handle, it’s smart to talk to a doctor about what to do next (source).
At Heal Private, we care about your health and want to help you feel better. If you think you might have a hernia or you are feeling pain, discomfort, or a strange lump in your belly or groin, it is a good idaea to talk to an expert. We offer expert healthcare consultation in a calm and private space. You don’t need to feel scared or shy, we are here to help. Our team listens to your problem carefully and asks simple questions to understand your symptoms. You do not need to know big medical words. Just tell us what you feel, where it hurts, and when it started. We take your words seriously and treat you with kindness and respect. At Heal Private, we know that many people are nervous to visit a doctor, especially when the problem is personal. That’s why we make everything easy, private, and comfortable. Our healthcare experts have a lot of experience. They know how to cheque for hernias and many other health problems. They will gently cheque the area where you feel pain or a lump. If needed, we will guide you for a safe scan or test, like an ultrasound, to see clearly what’s happening inside your body. After that, we will explain the results in easy words.