Dogs having the abilty to detect health problems in humans?

[Nicole B]

My female german shepherd has been acting really strange lately. She comes up on the couch and sits next to me and smells my stomach and chest area and then puts her head on my chest and then cries as she snuggles up to me. I'm a little freaked out by her behavior.

Can she be trying to tell me that I am sick?

I have not been feeling well lately and have suffered from severe abdominal pain which I assume is a hernia. Is it possible that my dog is smelling health problems within my stomach and breast region?

Have you ever had a dog detect early signs of disease or sickness?

Should I be really concerned by her behavior?
Please note that I am in no way relying upon my dog to make a diagnosis.(that would be rediculous)

I am a former Medical Technician and my symptoms are indicative of a hernia.

I have read stories of dogs that they possess an innate ability without training to smell chemical changes within the human body due to their sense of smell being 100x greater than what we possess. I just wanted a personal take on what your belief is in this? Thanks
Was also looking for other possible reasons as to why my dog may be acting this way.

[Gea]

I have heard some very reliable stories about that happening but it is very rare.
Don't rely on your dog, just go to the doctors to get checked out, hernias can get real nasty if left untreated. A friend of mine just came out of hospital after having his abdominal wall stitched up after a really gross hernia.

[KKingS]

There is strong evidence to suggest that dogs (and cats) are able to detect an abnormal change in our bodies. Lots of stories out there...like the guy with a brain tumor who had a dog that kept sniffing one of his ears.

But also keep in mind that if you are acting under the weather, your dog is able to pick up on this as well. Yesterday, I got into a funk and while I wasn't showing any obvious signs of being upset...one of my dogs still picked up on it. They are VERY good at noticing even the slightest changes in body launguage, facial expressions, etc.

[btbuster]

I'm curious how you are doing now.
There are many accounts of dogs and cats being able to sense illness (including cancer and even seizures) and even death. There is an interesting article on this on BBC News.
Here's the link: BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | Can pets sense illness? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6919063.stm)