How do I check myself for a hernia in my stomach?

September 22, 2025 •

6 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, one telltale sign of a hernia is a visible lump or bulge that appears during certain activities, like coughing, and disappears at other times. This guide explains how you can perform a basic self-check for a stomach hernia and what symptoms warrant a professional medical evaluation.

Quick Summary

A self-check for a potential stomach hernia involves visually inspecting and gently feeling your abdomen for any bulges, especially when standing or coughing, and noting any pain or discomfort. It is important to recognize that a self-check is for initial observation only and not a substitute for a professional diagnosis from a healthcare provider.

Key Points

Look and Feel for Bulges: Stand in front of a mirror and check for any visible or palpable lumps around your belly button or abdomen, especially when coughing or straining.
Note Pain and Discomfort: Pay attention to any dull aches, sharp pains, or heavy sensations in your abdomen that worsen with physical activity like lifting or bending.
Watch for Heartburn: If you experience persistent heartburn, reflux, or chest pain, it could be a sign of a hiatal hernia, which is not visible externally.
Recognize Emergency Symptoms: Seek immediate medical attention if a bulge becomes tender, hard, discolored, or if you experience severe pain, nausea, or vomiting, as this may signal a strangulated hernia.
Use the Self-Check as a Guide, Not a Diagnosis: The at-home check is for initial observation only; always consult a healthcare provider for a professional diagnosis and treatment plan.
Consider Lifestyle Changes: Manage your weight, use proper lifting techniques, and maintain a high-fiber diet to reduce abdominal pressure and lower hernia risk.
Understand Different Types: Be aware that different hernias (umbilical, epigastric, hiatal) have unique locations and symptoms, which can help inform your observations.

Understanding Stomach Hernias: Types and Causes

A hernia is a medical condition in which an internal organ or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or tissue wall. While they can occur in various parts of the body, abdominal hernias are among the most common. Several types of hernias can affect the stomach area, including umbilical, epigastric, and hiatal hernias. Understanding the differences between them can help you pinpoint potential symptoms more accurately.

Common Types of Abdominal Hernias

Umbilical Hernia: Occurs when part of the intestine pushes through the abdominal wall near the belly button. These are common in infants but can also affect adults due to excess abdominal pressure from factors like obesity or pregnancy.
Epigastric Hernia: Forms in the midline of the abdomen, in the area between the breastbone and the belly button, where the abdominal muscles have a natural weak spot.
Hiatal Hernia: Involves the upper part of the stomach bulging up through the hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm, and into the chest cavity. This type of hernia is often not visible from the outside.

What Causes a Hernia?

Hernias are typically caused by a combination of muscle weakness and increased pressure. Factors that can contribute to this include:

Chronic Straining: This can result from constant coughing, sneezing, or straining during bowel movements.
Heavy Lifting: Exerting too much pressure on the abdominal muscles while lifting heavy objects.
Pregnancy: The added weight and pressure can weaken abdominal walls.
Obesity: Excess weight, especially in the abdomen, puts increased strain on the muscles.
Surgical Incisions: A previous abdominal surgery can leave a weak spot in the muscle wall, leading to an incisional hernia.

Performing a Basic Self-Check for a Hernia

Before starting, remember that a self-check is an initial step and cannot replace a medical diagnosis. If you have concerning symptoms, a healthcare provider should always be your next step. This check is specifically for surface-level abdominal hernias, such as umbilical or epigastric.

Step-by-Step Self-Examination

Stand and Inspect: Stand in front of a mirror with good lighting. Fully expose your abdomen and upper thighs. Look for any visible bulges or lumps, especially around the belly button or along the midline of your abdomen.
Cough and Observe: While standing, cough forcefully or strain as if having a bowel movement. Observe if any new lumps or swellings pop out. This increase in abdominal pressure can make a hernia more prominent.
Gently Palpate: Lie down on your back and relax your abdominal muscles. With your fingertips, gently press around the suspected area (e.g., around your belly button). Feel for any soft lumps or bumps. Note if the lump seems to be reducible, meaning it can be gently pushed back in.
Feel While Coughing (Lying Down): With your fingers still on the area, cough again. Pay attention to any impulse or pressure you feel against your fingers. This “cough impulse” is a common sign of a hernia.

Important Considerations

Be Gentle: Never forcefully push on a suspected bulge. If it is tender, hard, or cannot be pushed back in, do not apply more pressure. This could indicate a more serious condition.
Check Multiple Positions: Perform the checks both standing and lying down, as hernias can appear differently depending on your body position.

Symptoms and Warning Signs

Recognizing the signs and symptoms associated with hernias is crucial for knowing when to seek professional help. While a visible bulge is the most common sign, it is not the only one.

Common Symptoms of an Abdominal Hernia

Pain or Discomfort: A persistent dull ache or a sharp pain, especially when you strain, lift, or bend over.
Feeling of Heaviness: A sensation of pressure or heaviness in the groin or abdomen.
Heartburn or Reflux: This is a key symptom of a hiatal hernia, which affects the upper stomach.
Constipation or Nausea: These can indicate a more serious hernia, especially if accompanied by a visible bulge.
Burning or Aching Sensation: A tingling or burning feeling at the site of the bulge.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Care

Certain symptoms signal a medical emergency, as they can indicate a strangulated hernia, where the blood supply to the trapped tissue is cut off. Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room immediately if you experience:

Sudden, severe pain that worsens rapidly.
A bulge that turns red, purple, or dark.
Nausea, vomiting, or fever.
Inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
The hernia becomes hard, tender, and cannot be pushed back in.

Comparison of Different Hernia Types


Feature	Umbilical Hernia	Epigastric Hernia	Hiatal Hernia
Location	At or near the navel (belly button)	Midline of abdomen, between breastbone and navel	Upper stomach, pushing through diaphragm
Visible Bulge	Often visible, especially when straining or crying	Visible as a lump in the upper abdomen midline	Not visible externally, deep inside the body
Pain Characteristics	Dull ache or pressure; may be painless, especially in children	Can cause pain, especially with abdominal strain	Heartburn, chest pain, indigestion, trouble swallowing
Risk Factors	Obesity, pregnancy, multiple pregnancies	Age-related muscle weakness, obesity, chronic coughing	Obesity, older age, smoking, chronic abdominal pressure
Common Symptoms	Bulge at navel, pain when lifting or coughing	Painful lump, tenderness, abdominal discomfort	Heartburn, acid reflux, regurgitation, chest discomfort

Conclusion: Your Next Steps

A self-check is a valuable tool for early detection of an abdominal hernia, but it is not a diagnosis. Observing a bulge that appears when you strain or experiencing persistent abdominal discomfort are clear indicators that you should consult a healthcare provider. They can perform a thorough physical examination and, if necessary, order imaging tests like an ultrasound or CT scan to confirm a diagnosis. Never ignore your symptoms, as prompt medical attention can prevent a hernia from becoming a more serious or life-threatening condition, such as strangulation. A doctor can help determine the best course of action, which may range from watchful waiting to surgical repair.

For more detailed information on different hernia types and their treatments, you can visit the Cleveland Clinic's Hernia Information Page.

Prevention and Lifestyle Adjustments

While some hernias cannot be prevented, there are lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk and manage symptoms if you already have one:

Maintain a Healthy Weight: This reduces the amount of pressure on your abdominal wall.
Lift Safely: Use proper lifting techniques by bending your knees and lifting with your legs, not your back.
Eat Fiber-Rich Foods: A high-fiber diet can prevent constipation and the straining associated with it.
Quit Smoking: Chronic coughing weakens abdominal muscles and is a significant risk factor.
Avoid Straining: If you have issues with constipation or a persistent cough, address the underlying cause to reduce pressure on your abdominal muscles.

What to Expect at a Doctor's Appointment

When you see a healthcare provider for a suspected hernia, they will likely:

Ask about your symptoms and medical history.
Perform a physical exam, possibly asking you to stand, cough, or strain to make the bulge more prominent.
Determine if the hernia is reducible or incarcerated.
Discuss treatment options, which may include surgery or watchful waiting depending on the type and severity of the hernia.

Differentiating Hernia Pain from Other Conditions

It's important to remember that abdominal pain can stem from many other conditions besides a hernia. Your doctor will consider a differential diagnosis, especially if no visible bulge is present. Other conditions that might mimic hernia symptoms include muscle strains, lipomas, or even issues like appendicitis. An accurate diagnosis is crucial for receiving the correct treatment.

Final Thoughts

Performing a self-check is a simple, proactive step, but it is not a definitive diagnostic tool. Pay close attention to your body and any symptoms you experience. If you notice a persistent or painful bulge, or if you have any of the emergency warning signs, do not delay in seeking medical advice. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve outcomes and prevent serious complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, some hernias can be gently pushed back in, especially when you are lying down and relaxed. However, never force it. If a hernia becomes hard, tender, or cannot be pushed back in, seek immediate medical attention, as it may be incarcerated or strangulated.

A hernia involves tissue or an organ pushing through a muscle wall, often creating a visible bulge. A muscle strain is a tear in the muscle or tendon fibers. While both can cause pain, a hernia is distinguished by the presence of a palpable bulge and often a 'cough impulse'.

Yes, it is possible. Certain types of hernias, like a hiatal hernia, occur internally and do not produce a visible external bulge. In these cases, symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, and reflux are the key indicators.

Signs of a medical emergency include a bulge that is red, purple, or dark, severe and rapidly worsening pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, or the inability to have a bowel movement. These symptoms could indicate a strangulated hernia, which requires immediate surgical intervention.

While men are more prone to certain types like inguinal hernias, women can get them too. Femoral hernias are more common in women, and they can also develop umbilical and hiatal hernias. Sometimes, hernias in women can be deeper and cause chronic pelvic pain without an obvious bulge.

Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting can increase intra-abdominal pressure, potentially making an existing hernia larger or more uncomfortable. It is best to consult a doctor about safe exercises if you suspect or know you have a hernia.

Not all hernias require immediate surgery. For small, asymptomatic hernias, doctors may recommend a 'watchful waiting' approach. However, if the hernia is causing pain, growing, or shows signs of incarceration, surgical repair is often necessary.

Yes, persistent coughing or sneezing increases pressure on the abdominal muscles, which can weaken the muscle wall over time and contribute to hernia development.