3-Discomfort when passing stool
Patients with an abdominal hernia usually feel discomfort when they are passing hard stool and making efforts that increase the abdominal pressure. In some cases, this also includes laughing, coughing, crouching, and making certain body movements. This is because, by increasing the abdominal pressure, patients also press upon the intestines and force them to bulge out of the abdominal defect.