Is a hernia test just coughing?

"Turn and Cough": The best way to DX a hernia is by physical examination. Hernias are holes in the abdominal wall thru which the inner lining of the abdominal cavity stretches out like a balloon to create a sac. A hernia may only be evident with increased abdominal pressure: standing up and coughing "blows up the balloon" making the hernia evident. Rarely, a hernia can be missed on exam; a ct scan may be helpful.