What Is a Hernia?
5. Can You Tell if You Have a Hernia?
It is common for people experiencing abdominal pain to believe they have a hernia, but that is not always the case. In fact, as hernias only affect about 5%, it is likely that you do not have a hernia, especially if you have no physical signs of the condition. As a hernia is the result of abdominal contents pushing through weak muscle tissue, it almost always presents as a visible bump.
However, the appearance of a bump may not be discernible in some patients. For larger patients, they may only experience pain and sensitivity in the area, which is why a physical exam is almost always necessary to diagnose. Also, while it is rare, if there is no physical appearance of a hernia but your doctor still strongly suspects one, then he or she may request a CT or MRI to confirm.
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