Have you heard about hernia? Hernia is a common health problem that happens mainly due to excess pressure and stress on the muscles. It is a situation when a part inside your body or a part of your organ bulges out through weak muscles or small openings. Most hernias are formed due to the bulging of abdominal organs. This does not occur all of a sudden. Hernias are formed due to continuous pressure and stress caused due to various reasons. Injuries, surgeries, or problems during birth can also cause hernias.
There are different types of hernias depending on their causes or places they are formed. Some of them include inguinal hernia, hiatal hernia, incisional hernia, femoral hernia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and umbilical hernia. Although different hernias have different symptoms, some of the common symptoms of hernias are bulgings that come out during certain physical activities or while staying in certain positions. These bulges cause pressure, small pain, and a pinching feeling. However, hernia is a common problem and can be treated using various methods.
What Causes Hernia?
One of the major causes of hernias is the pressure exerted on the muscles in the abdominal region. This pressure pushes the organs out of the abdominal wall through the weakened muscles or small openings in them. Some of the activities or situations that lead to this condition are:
- Lifting heavy objects improperly
- Chronic coughing or sneezing
- Severe diarrhea or constipation
- Pelvic or abdominal surgeries
- Frequent pregnancies
However, hernias are also seen in babies at birth. Mostly, babies born prematurely or with medical conditions like urinary or reproductive tract disorders, cystic fibrosis, hip dysplasia, and connective tissue disorders are more likely to get affected by hernia. Boy babies with undescended testicles are also more prone to hernia at birth.
How to prevent hernia?
As mentioned there are different varieties of hernia and each has its own prevention and treatment. Among them, the two most common hernias are inguinal and incisional hernias.
An inguinal hernia is normally seen in the groin area between the lower abdomen and thigh. It is caused due to the weakening of lower abdominal muscles. On the other hand, an incisional hernia is most likely to occur after surgery. This type of hernia will be formed near the incision area as the intestine and other organs may bulge out through them.
However, like most health problems, maintaining a healthy body will help to prevent hernia to a major extent. Here are some things that help to prevent hernias:
- Maintain healthy weight
Overweight and obesity can exert severe pressure on your abdomen and lower body. Even daily activities like walking, running, or even moving around will add to this pressure and stress leading to weak abdominal walls. This will lead to a high chance of hernia. So, maintaining a healthy weight will help to prevent hernia.
- Improve core strength
The major muscles in the pelvic and abdominal areas such as transversus abdominis, oblique muscles, and pelvic floor muscles are called the core muscles. So, strengthening them will help strengthen the abdominal area, reducing the risks of hernia.
- Follow proper lifting techniques
People who lift heavy weights frequently and athletes are at high risk of hernia. Lifting heavy weights improperly can cause severe stress in various parts of your body. As its frequency increases it may lead to hernia. So, following proper lifting techniques will help you reduce these stresses.
- Quit smoking
Smoking and diseases caused by smoking or tobacco can increase the risk of hernia. As these conditions cause severe continuous coughing, they contribute to hernia.
How to prevent a hernia from getting worse?
Taking proper care of your body and following your doctor’s instructions are important to prevent a hernia from getting worse. The following measures can be useful for you:
- Including more fiber foods and healthy liquids into your diet
- Regular exercise
Furthermore, consult your healthcare professional if you experience symptoms like redness, swelling, increasing pain, nausea, fever, or vomiting.
Risk factors affecting hernia
Several factors may increase the risks of hernia. Some of them are as follows:
- Severe coughing and allergies causing sneezing
- Chronic constipation
- Jobs that require continuous standing or heavy weight lifting
- Obesity and overweight problems
- Repeated pregnancies
- Premature birth
- Cystic fibrosis
- Connective tissue disorders
- Urinary or reproductive tract disorders
Treatments for hernia
The major treatment to completely remove a hernia is surgery. However, if your hernia is comparatively small and does not bother you much, the doctor may not suggest surgery. In such cases, a truss may help. A truss is a supportive undergarment that helps to keep the hernia in place. However, it can only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional as it is important to use a truss that fits you properly.
On the other hand, if your hernia is big or causes severe pain and discomfort, you might undergo surgery as it improves your condition and prevents further complications. Usually, doctors suggest two types of surgeries depending on your condition. They are:
- Open surgical repair
This is an open surgery where the doctors make an incision in your affected area and push the bulge back to the abdomen. This procedure will be done after giving your sedation or general anesthesia. Although you will be asked to move around as soon as possible after the completion of this surgery, you might take a few weeks to resume your pre-surgical life.
- Laparoscopic repair
This procedure is conducted with a laparoscopic instrument and is less complicated as the chances of infections are less. This surgery will be conducted through the several small incisions made in your affected area. The surgery will be guided through a laparoscopy or a small tube with a camera will be inserted through an incision. When compared to open surgery, laparoscopic surgery provides faster recovery.
Conclusion
Hernia is a common problem seen mostly in adults. It is a bulge that occurs due to the protrusion of your internal organs through a small opening or weakening of the muscles. Hernias are normally seen in the abdominal areas.
Depending on the position and causes hernias are categorized into different types including inguinal hernia, hiatal hernia, incisional hernia, femoral hernia, and others. This condition can be caused due to various reasons such as lifting weights improperly, chronic coughing or sneezing, frequent diarrhea or constipation, surgeries, repeated pregnancies, and obesity. Some people might have a hernia at the time of their birth, which happens mainly due to premature birth, a condition called cystic fibrosis, or urinary or reproductive tract issues.
Hernias can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, strengthening your cores, quitting smoking, and lifting weights properly. Although open surgery and laparoscopic surgery are the major treatments to remove a hernia, using a truss completely can also be useful if the hernia is small and less problematic. Including more fiber foods, healthy liquids, and regular exercise will help to prevent your hernia from getting worse.
FAQs
Usually, hernia can only be cured with surgery.
Yes. Exercise helps to maintain the strength of your core and keeps you healthy. So, it will help you keep your abdominal area strong, reducing the risks of hernia.
Yes. Hernias are equally common in both men and women.
Taking proper care of your body by maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, avoiding abdominal strains, and strengthening your core will help prevent hernias after surgery.
Keeping a healthy diet with high-fiber foods, regular exercise, yoga, and maintaining a healthy weight helps to prevent hernia naturally.
