How do you know if you have a hernia?

How do you know if u have a hernia?

• While i was taking a shower, i realized i had this lump, or ball thing kinda in between my waist, leg, of the right side of my body, the lump was kinda hard, and it moved around, but i dont have the same lump on the left side, idk what it is, im scared that it might be a hernia, PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE ASK IF U KNOW A DOCTOR, IT WOULD HELP SO MUCH!

• Answer:

  There are several kinds of hernias. Starting at the top and working our way down. . . . Hiatal Hernia is one that is found inside the body and deals with the esphogus and stomach. Unlikely you would see it and with an Upper GI dye test it would be seen in an x-ray. Umbilical Hernia is one that is found at the Umbilicus or Belly Button which would probably make your navel look distorted and might be detected with an x-ray. Inguinal Hernia is one that is found in the groin area. It can happen only on one side or can involve both sides. Again,might be detected with x-ray. Testicular Hernia is one that is found in the testicles. It too can happen only on one side or can involve both sides. Might be detected with x-ray. One could also have a hernia at an old incision site which is called and Incisional Hernia. This is usually found at an incision site generally in the abdominal area. When I say these might be detected with x-ray,if there is intestine involved,it shows up better with x-ray. If there is not intestine involved,hernia's are harder to see in x-rays. Hernias are weak spots in the muscle that allow intestine to protrude. The intestine can retract and disappear back behind the muscle and slide back into place which is why sometimes you can see/feel a hernia and sometimes you can't. Should the muscle contract on the intestines and the intestines get strangulated,you stand to lose intestine because when it becomes strangulated,it is starved of blood. The absence of blood to the intestines can cause the intestines to start to die. Generally when you have any hernia besides the hiatal hernia,you will see a bulge. Because the intestine can retract,sometimes that bulge is present and sometimes it isn't. A Dr is trained well enough that they can usually manipulate the area you suspect a hernia to be in and he can feel the spot of the weakened muscle. This is kind of a hard thing to describe properly online so I hope that I have put it simply enough but detailed enough so that you understand.