Hernia, where tissue protrudes through a weakening in your muscle lining, can be incredibly painful. Hernias can be caused by a variety of circumstances that include muscle weakness, straining from lifting heavy objects, or a previous injury.

Sometimes people are born with weak abdominal muscles, and sometimes their muscles weaken with age says Dr. Parameshwara, a laparoscopic surgeon at SMILES. Other causes of hernia include constipation, diarrhea, and chronic coughing or sneezing.

Additionally, certain lifestyle factors can lead to different types of hernias. Being overweight, smoking, or eating an unhealthy diet can weaken your muscles in the abdominal wall.

Hernias are relatively common and can trouble anyone. But how do you know if you have one? Many of us think that a hernia is a visible bulge in the abdominal wall but there are other symptoms of hernia that can present as something entirely different.

Untreated hernias can be quite dangerous. Therefore, be cautious and don’t ignore them thinking that your symptoms are insignificant. Let’s look at some silent hernia symptoms you might be ignoring.

Once you have a hernia, the pressure on surrounding areas can lead to a greater sense of muscle fatigue and pain. If you notice pain, especially in the muscles of your upper leg and groin, it can be a sign of a hernia.

Abdominal issues like an upset stomach or vomiting can be a symptom that your hernia is becoming serious, known as an incarcerated hernia. In this case, the hernia doesn’t return to its place by a gentle push and you will need to get emergency medical treatment.

You should always take a fever seriously, most importantly if it is accompanied by the other symptoms of a hernia. It could mean the herniated tissue is strangulated, which is not getting enough blood flow and that’s a potentially life-threatening situation.

Be aware that constipation can cause hernias. Your large intestine can herniate, and that can block your digestion which results in constipation and difficulty passing gas. In some cases, a piece of the bowel can swell and become strangulated that requires a surgical procedure to fix.

Of course, many issues can cause heartburn, but a hernia could be one of them. A hiatal hernia in the upper abdomen can cause a feeling like heartburn along with chest pain. It also allows stomach acid to leak into the esophagus causing inflammation which mimics heartburn.

This is one of the most commonly overlooked hernia symptoms since it is easy to confuse with actually being full. However, an inguinal hernia which occurs in the lower abdomen and groin area can make you feeling full and bloated accompanied by pain.

Pain and discomfort in the abdomen could be a symptom of hernia even if you don’t see a bulge. Moreover, a feeling of pain, pressure or discomfort while bending down, lifting heavy objects could also be a silent sign that you are suffering from a hernia.

These easy to miss signs of a hernia can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Talk to Dr Parameshwara, one of the best hernia treatment doctors in Bangalore if you suspect you may have a hernia.