Hi, I am being treated for an unrelated illness. While at my most recent appointment with my doctor, while examining my abdomen, he casually mentioned I had a hernia. He didn't seem concerned about it at all...didn't tell me to do anything about it, didn't give me any advice. He just said "you have a hernia". I have been so concerned with my other illness, and didn't really know exactly what a hernia was, that I decided to just put it on the back burner and worry about it later. Especially since the doctor seemed extremely unconcerned. Well, that was about two months ago, and just recently (within the past week), the area with the hernia is hurting. It didn't hurt before. it's a pain that comes for about two seconds, then leaves for a few seconds to a minute, then comes again. it's continuously doing this. It is not intolerable pain, just a bit uncomfortable. The reason I'm posting this is to ask if it's normal for it to hurt. Should I be concerned? What does the fact that it just started hurting indicate? How will I know if it becomes an emergency situation? Thanks so much for any help and advice.