'I thought it was just gas pain': The hidden signs of a hernia you shouldn't ignore

Abdominal pain is one of the most common types of abdominal discomfort experienced by all age groups.

- DR. RAHUL JAIN

People generally assume its underlying cause to be indigestion, food poisoning, or gastric problems, and end up ignoring the symptoms. However, not all stomach aches are harmless; for many individuals, a dull pain or pressure in the abdomen has often turned out to be a case of hernia. The National Library of Medicine states that about 1.5 to 2 million people in India suffer from hernia. Hernias are more common than people realize, and their early symptoms are often unclear, leading to delayed diagnosis.

JUST GAS PAIN? HOW HERNIA MIMICS STOMACH ACHE

A hernia occurs when an internal organ pushes through a weak spot in the muscle or tissue that contains it. It becomes visible as a bulge on the outside, most commonly occurring on one of the walls of the abdominal cavity. Hernias can develop because of usual wear and tear of the muscles with age, or can result from an injury, surgery, or birth disorder.