In a reducible hernia, the lump can be pushed back through the belly wall. If not, it’s an irreducible hernia, which is more likely to have serious complications.A hernia is an emergency if it’s “incarcerated.” In an incarcerated hernia, tissue (such as from the bowel) has slipped through the hernia and gotten stuck there. Stool may not be able to get through normally, which can cause pain, nausea, vomiting, and even a tear in the the bowel wall. If an incarcerated hernia becomes “strangulated,” the bowel tissue has started to die and needs emergency surgery.