- Men > Women
- Increased age
- Processes that increase intra-abdominal pressure
- Swelling in the inguinal area w/o pain or significant discomfort
- Can increase in size over time
- If incarcerated/strangulated, pain becomes severe w/N, V, and severe illness
- Swelling in inguinal area which increases w/Valsalva or cough
- Large hernias can enter scrotum
- Pain and sometimes inflammatory findings over inguinal canal w/incarceration/strangulation