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Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

A physical exam is usually all that's needed to diagnose an inguinal hernia. Your doctor is likely to ask about your signs and symptoms and to check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you may be asked to stand up and cough or strain as part of the exam.

References
  1. Inguinal hernia. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/inguinalhernia. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
  2. Patient information for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair from SAGES. Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. http://www.sages.org/sagespublication.php?doc=PI06. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
  3. Dedemadi G, et al. Laparoscopic versus open mesh repair for recurrent inguinal hernia: A meta-analysis of outcomes. The American Journal of Surgery. 2010;200:291.
  4. Ramsook C, et al. Overview of inguinal hernia in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
  5. Ramsook C, et al. Overview of treatment for inguinal and femoral hernias. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
  6. Ramsook C, et al. Classification and diagnosis of inguinal and femoral hernias. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
  7. Goroll AH, et al. Approach to the patient with an external hernia. In: Goroll AH, et al. Primary Care Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:496.
  8. Matthews RD, et al. Inguinal hernia in the 21st century: An evidence-based review. Current Problems in Surgery. 2008;45:261.
  9. Jenkins JT, et al. Inguinal hernias. British Medical Journal. 2008;336:269.
DS00364 Nov. 4, 2010

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