A hernia is a swelling, bulge or growth that occurs when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle for tissue that holds it in place. For example, the intestines may break through a weakened area in the abdominal wall.

Hernias are most common in the abdomen, but they can also appear in the upper thigh, belly button, and groin areas. Most hernias are not immediately life threatening, but they don’t go away on their own and can require surgery to prevent potentially dangerous complications.

Hernias are most common in the abdomen, but they can also appear in the upper thigh, belly button, and groin areas. Most hernias are not immediately life threatening, but they don’t go away on their own and can require surgery to prevent potentially dangerous complications.

COMMON TYPES OF HERNIA

INGUINAL HERNIA

Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia. They make up about 70 percent of all hernias, according to theBritish Hernia Centre (BHC).

These hernias occur when the intestines push through a weak spot or tear in the lower abdominal wall, often in the inguinal canal.The inguinal canal is found in your groin.

In men, it is the area where the spermatic cord passes from the abdomen to the scrotum. This cord holds up the testicles.

In women, the inguinal canal contains a ligament that helps hold the uterus in place.

This type of hernia is more common in men than in women. This is because a man’s testicles descend through the inguinal canal shortly after birth, and the canal is supposed to close almost completely behind them. Sometimes, the canal does not close properly and leaves a weakened area prone to hernias.

HIATAL HERNIA

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach protrudes up through the diaphragm into your chest. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that helps you breathe by contracting and drawing air into the lungs. It separates the organs in your abdomen from those in your chest.

This type of hernia is most common in patients over 50 years old. If a child has the condition, it’s typically caused by a congenital (birth) defect.

Hiatal hernias almost always cause gastroesophageal reflux, which is when the stomach contents leak backward into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation.

UMBILICAL HERNIA

Umbilical hernias can occur in children and babies under 6 months old. This happens when their intestines bulge through their abdominal wall near their bellybutton. You may notice a bulge in or near your child’s bellybutton, especially when they’re crying.

An umbilical hernia is the only kind that often goes away on its own, typically by the time the child is 1 year old. If the hernia has not gone away by this point, surgery may be used to correct it.

INCISIONAL HERNIA

Incisional hernias can occur after you’ve had abdominal surgery. Your intestines may push through the incision scar or the surrounding, weakened tissue.

CAUSES OF HERNIA

Hernias are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and strain. Depending on its cause, a hernia can develop quickly or over a long period of time.Common causes of muscle weakness include:

- failure of the abdominal wall to close properly in the womb, which is a congenital defect
- age
- chronic coughing
- damage from injury or surgery
- factors that strain your body and may cause a hernia, especially if your muscles are weak, include:
- being pregnant, which puts pressure on your abdomen)
- being constipated, which causes you to strain when having a bowel movement
- heavy weight lifting
fluid in the abdomen, or ascites
- suddenly gaining weight
- persistent coughing or sneezing

RISK FACTORS

The factors that increase your risk of developing a hernia include:a personal or family history of hernias

- being overweight or obese
- a chronic cough
- chronic constipation
- smoking, which can trigger a chronic cough
- Conditions such as cystic fibrosis can also indirectly increase your risk of developing a hernia. Cystic fibrosis impairs the function of the lungs, causing a chronic cough.

SYMPTOMS OF A HERNIA

The most common symptom of a hernia is a bulge or lump in the affected area. In the case of an inguinal hernia, you may notice a lump on either side of your pubic bone where your groin and thigh meet. You’re more likely to feel your hernia through touch when you’re standing up.

If your baby has a hernia, you may only be able to feel the bulge when he or she is crying. A bulge is typically the only symptom of an umbilical hernia.

Other common symptoms of an inguinal hernia include
- pain or discomfort in the affected area (usually the lower abdomen), especially when bending over
- coughing, or lifting
- weakness, pressure, or a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen
- a burning, gurgling, or aching sensation at the site of the bulge

Other symptoms of a hiatal hernia include:
- acid reflux, which is when stomach acid moves backward into the esophagus causing a burning sensation
- chest pain
- difficulty swallowing

In some cases, hernias have no symptoms. You may not know you have a hernia unless it shows up during a routine physical or a medical exam for an unrelated problem.

Treatment Options for a Hernia

Whether or not you need treatment depends on the size of your hernia and the severity of your symptoms. Your doctor may simply monitor your hernia for possible complications. Treatment options for a hernia include:

Lifestyle Changes

Dietary changes can often treat the symptoms of a hiatal hernia. Avoid large or heavy meals, don’t lie down or bend over after a meal, and keep your body weight in a healthy range.

If these changes in diet don’t eliminate your discomfort, you may need surgery to correct the hernia. You can also improve symptoms by avoiding foods that cause acid reflux or heartburn, such as spicy foods and tomato-based foods. Additionally, you can avoid reflux by losing weight and giving up cigarettes.

Potential Complications of a Hernia

If left untreated, your hernia may grow and become more painful. A portion of your intestine could become trapped in the abdominal wall. This can obstruct your bowel, causing severe pain, nausea, and constipation.

An untreated hernia can also put too much pressure on nearby tissues, which can cause swelling and pain in the surrounding area.If the trapped section of your intestines doesn’t get enough blood flow, strangulation occurs. This can cause the intestinal tissue to become infected or die. A strangulated hernia is life-threatening and requires immediate medical care.

Preventing a Hernia

You can’t always prevent the muscle weakness that allows a hernia to occur. However, you can reduce the amount of strain you place on your body. This may help you avoid a hernia or keep an existing hernia from getting worse.

Prevention tips include:

- not smoking
- seeing your doctor when you’re sick to avoid developing a persistent cough
- maintaining a healthy body weight
- avoiding straining during bowel movements or urination
- lifting objects with your knees and not your back
- avoiding lifting weights that are too heavy for you

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR HERNIA

ALOE VERA

Consumption of aloe vera juice (1/4th of a glass) in the morning before breakfast and in the night beforegoing to sleep can treat the problem of hernia. Another option is to consume aloe vera juice before each meal.

VEGETABLE JUICE

Consumption of a glass of carrot juice on a regular basis can reduce the burning sensation resulting from the problem of hernia

An individual can also consume a glass of tomato juice with salt (a pinch) 2 to 3 times in a day to treat hernia.

A MIXTURE OF SLIPPERY ELM AND CHAMOMILE

Intake of a tea prepared with chamomile leaves (6 – and slippery elm powder (2 teaspoons) can help in curing the symptoms of hernia.Regular consumption of this tea can provide relief from the problem of hernia.

BLACK PEPPER POWDER

Intake of black pepper powder as a part of food items can also cure the problem of hernia.

GINGER

Intake of a tea prepared with ginger as one of the components can help in the treatment of various symptoms of hernia. Intake of dry ginger powder (half teaspoon) with a glass of water can also give the desired results.

Herbs

Intake of a tea created with a mixtureof fennel seeds, licorice root, black walnut, and sheep sorrel to treat the problem of hernia.

BUTTERMILK

Intake of buttermilk on a daily basis can provide relief from the problem of hernia.To obtain quick results, it is advisable consume to a glass ofbuttermilk 2 to 3 times on a daily basis.

CASTOR SEED OIL

Applying a castor seed oil pack on the stomach area (on a regular basis) can reduce the discomfort resulting from hernia. It is advisable for anindividual suffering from hernia toconsume food items prepared with castor seed oil to obtain better results.

FRESH FRUITS

Consumption of a banana at least 2 times in a day on a regular basis can also help an individual in dealing with the problem of hernia.

Intake of fruits such as mango, papaya, pineapple, avocado and so on can also provide effective results.

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