Hernia symptoms

[Velvetee]

Does anyone know what the symptoms of a Hernia are? I probably don't have one, as I imagine I would be able to feel the protrusion.

The problem is, recently, whenever I try to do stomach crunches, even after a few, my lower stomach on the right side goes into spasm. It's very painful and I have to lie flat and wait until it relaxes, before I can make any attempt to get up.

If it's not a Hernia, then what else could it be? I warm up well, have previously done crunches for years without any problems. I do have to lift quite heavy weights at work, heaviest being 36kgs, but on a closing shift at the gym, I am lifting 100's kgs split between a number of differently sized weight discs, dumbbells, barbells and medicine balls.

[sqad617]

90% of hernias you can feel and see. 10% are internal and are often diagnosed as groin strain. An American surgeon has made a fortune operating on these "groin strains "particularly in footballers. You seem to fit into this group. If it persists, have a word with your GP re. referral to a surgeon.

[gucciman]

doesn't sound lke a hernia to me, although i'm no doctor, sounds more like a muscle tear.

hernias can come in various guises, they can protrude through the stomach near the belly button like mine does, they can be a bulge in your groin, or they can be internal and cause problems with stomach acid coming up your throat like a friend of mind had.

[soulstar11]

I had a similar experience to yourself when doing sit ups years ago. My stomach would spasm from the belly button right down to the lower groin - the first time was agony, then it was just a nauseous sensation.
Long story short, I had an umbilical hernia.

Yours' sounds a bit different in that it's to one side. However, a lot of hernias aren't necessarily visible - a Dctor may need to palpate (prod you) - the moment your head his the ceiling - that's your hernia!

Get it checked out. You can't "leave" a hernia - it always gets worse eventually. This is particularly pertinent if you lift weights at the gym or work.

I could tell you a horror story about a mate of mine who ignored a hernia - but I won't; other than to say he was rushed to A&E and his ahem, undercarriage had turned black.Turned out to be a lot more painful and time consuming than a simple hernia op.
Best of luck.

[soulstar11]

p.s. You do bend your legs for crunches right?