How to Get Rid of a Hernia?
A hernia is a noticeable lump that usually appears in the belly or groin area. A hernia occurs when there is a weakened area in the abdomen and a part of a tissue breaks through the abdominal cavity. It may cause discomfort to the person as the size of the hernia increases. At times, it is dangerous if a portion of the intestine is strangulated inside the abdominal cavity. It is beneficial if a person knows how to get rid of a hernia.
Hernias can happen to anyone – male, female, old, and young. Persons who are born with weak muscles in their abdominal area are prone to hernias. Aside from the abdominal region, hernias can also occur in the groin, belly button, and upper thigh areas.
Types
Inguinal: This type of hernia is the most common. It is a hernia that appears in the inguinal canal. Both men and women have inguinal canals located in the lower abdominal wall, specifically in the groins. The inguinal canal in women has a ligament that supports the uterus to keep it in place. The inguinal canal in men is the part where the spermatic cord is found. The spermatic cord secures the testicles and it passes from the belly to the scrotum.
Inguinal hernias commonly happen to men than women. They become prone to hernias if the inguinal canal does not close completely shortly after birth when their testicles have already descended. This leaves a weakened area that is prone to hernias in the future. People today are constantly finding ways on how to get rid of a hernia in its early stage.
Hiatal: This type of hernia happens when a portion of the stomach juts up to the chest by way of the diaphragm. Hiatal hernia is suffered mostly by people aged 50 years old and above. If a child is diagnosed with hiatal hernia, it is considered as a birth defect (congenital). People with hiatal hernias usually experience gastroesophageal reflux.
Umbilical: This type of hernia is commonly found in infants six months old and younger. Umbilical hernias happen when the baby’s intestines protrude through the abdominal wall in or near the bellybutton area. The lump is noticeable especially when the baby is crying. This is the only kind of hernia that disappears on its own. When the child is already one year old, umbilical hernias usually go away. In case the hernia is still present when the child turns one, a surgery is needed to fix the problem.
Incisional: A person will have incisional hernia after undergoing an abdominal surgery. It happens when the intestines protrude through the incision wound or the neighboring area where there is weakening of the tissue.
Causes
Hernias can progress through time or speedily. The pace of its development is all dependent on its cause. There are two major causes for hernia. One is strain and the other is weakening of the muscles.
A muscle weakens when one of the following factors is present:
- Age
- Congenital defect (the abdominal wall didn’t close completely in the womb)
- Damage from undergoing a surgery or injury
- Chronic coughing
When the muscles are weak and are constantly under strain, a hernia will definitely show up. These are the factors that can put strain on a weakened muscle:
- Constipation (straining during bowel movement)
- Pregnancy (the weight of the fetus strains the abdomen area)
- Sudden weight gain
- Too much weight lifting
- Continuous sneezing or coughing
- Ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen)
Symptoms
A noticeable lump or bulge in the affected part is the most common symptom of hernias. Learn how to get rid of a hernia upon the appearance of a symptom or two to avoid complications later on.
Aside from a lump in the groin area, other symptoms of inguinal hernias are:
- Discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen where the affected area is. It is painful to bend over, lift something, or cough.
- The abdomen has the feeling of heaviness, pressure, and weakness.
- Where the lump is, there is an aching, a gurgling, and a burning sensation.
Symptoms of hiatal hernia are:
- Acid reflux
- It is very difficult to swallow
- Chest pain
- Other hernias don’t show any symptoms at all. It will take a medical or physical exam before its presence is known.
Treatment
There are various treatment options on how to get rid of a hernia. Most commonly, hernias are left untreated depending on the size and gravity of the symptoms. The healthcare professional will only keep an eye on the hernia for any potential complications.
Hiatal hernia symptoms are usually remedied by merely changing the person’s diet. No more heavy meals. No more bending over or lying down after a meal. Maintain a healthy body weight. If ever this diet for hernia is ineffective in taking away the uneasiness and pain, then a surgery may be necessary to correct the defect.
During surgery, the healthcare professional will sew the abdominal cavity to close it. Most often, a surgical mesh is used to cover the cavity where the hernia occurred.
Aside from surgery, there are also natural remedies for hernia. Supplements and herbal medicines can fix the problem of the weakening connective tissue inside and out. Natural remedies are applicable to hernias in their early stages when there are no complications yet. However, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before taking any natural supplements to prevent any adverse effects.
Complications
Hernias can cause possible complications if left untreated. They will increase in size and become very painful. Instances happen when a part of the intestine is incarcerated or trapped within the abdominal wall. A situation like this can cause nausea, severe pain, constipation, and obstruction of the bowel.
If it happens that the trapped portion of the intestine does not receive adequate flow of blood, strangulation happens. Strangulation can cause infection in the intestine that it will eventually die. This becomes a life-threatening situation. Decide now on how to get rid of a hernia to save your life.
Prevention
Weakening of the muscle is something that is uncontrollable. Once a muscle weakens, the risk for hernias is high. But there is one factor that you can control to prevent hernia from occurring. It is strain. Limiting the amount of strain in the body will definitely lessen the risk of hernias. Less strain helps a lot in preventing hernias. Less strain also restrains an existing hernias from getting bigger.
Here are some prevention tips for hernias:
- Always maintain the body weight on the healthy range.
- Stop smoking.
- Do not do weightlifting. Do not lift objects that are too heavy for your body structure.
- When lifting is unavoidable, lift the object with your knees and never with your back muscles.
- Always see a healthcare professional when sick. This is to prevent an incessant cough from developing.
- Do not strain during urination or bowel movements.