Editing Hernia (section)

==Signs and symptoms==
[[Image:Hernia.JPG|thumb|Frontal view of an inguinal hernia (right).]]
[[File:Umbilicalhernia.JPG|thumb|Incarcerated umbilical hernia with surrounding inflammation]]
Symptoms and signs vary depending on the type of hernia. By far the most common hernias develop in the  [[abdomen]] when a weakness in the abdominal wall evolves into a localized hole, or "defect", through which [[adipose tissue]], or abdominal organs covered with [[peritoneum]], may protrude. Another common hernia involves the [[Spinal disc herniation|spinal discs]] and causes ''[[sciatica]]''. A [[hiatus hernia]] occurs when the stomach protrudes into the ''[[mediastinum]]'' through the esophageal opening in the [[Thoracic diaphragm|diaphragm]].

Hernias might manifest with pain in the area, a noticeable lump, or less specific symptoms caused by pressure on an organ stuck within the hernia, potentially leading to organ dysfunction. Typically, fatty tissue is the initial entrant into a hernia, but it might also involve an organ. Hernias are caused by a disruption or opening in the [[fascia]], or fibrous tissue, which forms the abdominal wall. It is possible for the bulge associated with a hernia to come and go, but the defect in the tissue will persist.

Symptoms may or may not be present in some [[inguinal hernia]]s. In the case of reducible hernias, a bulge in the [[groin]] or in another abdominal area can often be seen and felt. When standing, such a bulge becomes more obvious. Besides the bulge, other symptoms include pain in the groin that may also include a heavy or dragging sensation, and in men, there is sometimes pain and swelling in the [[scrotum]] around the [[testicular]] area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/inguinal-hernia/DS00364/DSECTION=symptoms|title=Inguinal hernia | work = The Mayo Clinic |access-date=2010-05-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213003240/http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/inguinal-hernia/DS00364/DSECTION%3Dsymptoms|archive-date=2010-02-13}}</ref>

Irreducible abdominal hernias or incarcerated hernias may be painful, but their most relevant symptom is that they cannot return to the abdominal cavity when pushed in. They may be chronic, although painless, and can lead to strangulation (loss of blood supply), obstruction (kinking of intestine), or both. Strangulated hernias are always painful and pain is followed by tenderness. [[Nausea]], [[vomiting]], or [[fever]] may occur in these cases due to [[bowel]] obstruction. Also, the hernia bulge, in this case, may turn red, purple or dark and pink.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Hernia? - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis |url=https://www.pristyncare.com/disease/hernia/ |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=www.pristyncare.com |language=en}}</ref>

In the diagnosis of abdominal hernias, [[Medical imaging|imaging]] is the principal means of detecting internal diaphragmatic and other nonpalpable or unsuspected hernias. [[CT scan|Multidetector CT]] (MDCT) can show with precision the anatomic site of the hernia sac, the contents of the sac, and any complications. MDCT also offers clear detail of the abdominal wall allowing wall hernias to be identified accurately.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Lee HK, Park SJ, Yi BH |title=Multidetector CT reveals diverse variety of abdominal hernias |journal=Diagnostic Imaging |volume=32 |issue=5 |pages=27–31 |year=2010 |url=http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/ct/content/article/113619/1575055 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618055724/http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/ct/content/article/113619/1575055 |archive-date=2010-06-18 |access-date=2010-06-25 }}</ref>
[[File:Adult male inguinal hernia reduced.gif|thumb|[[Inguinal hernia]]. By pushing on the hernia, it can be (reduced) pushed into the abdomen. When the pressure is removed, the hernia quickly reappears.]]

=== Complications ===
Untreated hernia may be complicated by:
* [[Inflammation]]
* [[Bowel obstruction|Obstruction]] of any lumen, such as [[bowel obstruction]] in intestinal hernias
* [[Strangulation (bowel)|Strangulation]]
* [[Hydrocele]] of the hernial sac
* [[Haemorrhage|Hemorrhage]]
* [[Autoimmune]] problems
* [[Reduction (orthopedic surgery)|Irreducibility]] or incarceration, in which it cannot be reduced, or pushed back into place,<ref name="WashingtonSurgery2008">{{cite book | vauthors = Goers TA, Klingensmith ME, Chen LE, Glasgow SC |title=The Washington manual of surgery |publisher=Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |location=Philadelphia |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-7817-7447-5 }}</ref> at least not without very much external effort.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://onlinedictionary.datasegment.com/word/incarcerated | work = onlinedictionary.datasegment.com | title = Incarcerated | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081120045818/http://onlinedictionary.datasegment.com/word/incarcerated | archive-date=2008-11-20 }} Citing: Webster 1913</ref> In intestinal hernias, this also substantially increases the risk of bowel obstruction and strangulation.