Is the bulge in my groin a hernia? Why isn't it present all the time? Could it be something else?
It is a hernia because the bulge increases in size when you strain and it hits against the examining finger when you cough. You yourself can hear a gurgle in the intestine as the lump is pushed back. Note also that it completely disappears when you lie down. The hernia can fall back into the abdomen and may not be obvious ("reduced" is the medical term) especially during the night when you lie down. Some small hernias become apparent only after a day's work, walking or straining, or jumping up and down and exercising. Hernias which have been present for a long time may remain in the scrotum and may not fall back so readily. Many patients learn to manipulate the hernia back with all sorts of hokus-pokus hand movements and contortions of the thighs. But this method accomplishes its purposes. Don't criticize it! However it can be an uncomfortable way to get along. The diagnosis of a groin hernia is usually easy. As a matter of fact, the patient usually makes it himse...