Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Treating the pain of a hernia at home
• Part 2 of 3: Changing the way you live
• Part 3 of 3: Using herbal remedies

Hernias can occur in different parts of the body. They can cause pain and discomfort. This is because during a hernia, the contents of part of your body bulge out through the surrounding tissue or muscle layers. Hernias can occur in the abdomen, around the navel (umbilicus), in the groin area (femur or groin) or in the stomach area. If you have a stomach hernia (hiatal), you probably have regurgitation or acid reflux. Fortunately, you can relieve the pain at home and make lifestyle changes to ease the discomfort of some hernias.

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Part 1 of 3: Treating the pain of a hernia at home

1. Use ice packs. If you feel relatively mild discomfort, apply an ice pack to the site of your hernia for 10 to 15 minutes. You can do this once or twice a day, after approval from your doctor. Ice packs can reduce swelling and inflammation.
   • Never put an ice pack directly on the skin. Make sure to wrap the ice pack in a thin cloth or towel before putting it on the skin. This prevents damage to skin tissues.
2. Take medication for the pain. If you have moderate hernia pain, you may benefit from over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
   • If you find yourself needing painkillers for more than a week, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can prescribe stronger painkillers.
3. Take medication for the treatment of reflux. If you have a stomach hernia, you may suffer from heartburn, also known as reflux. You can take stomach tablets and medications to reduce acid production, as well as prescription medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPI) that inhibit stomach acid production.
   • If the reflux symptoms do not subside after a few days, you should consult a doctor. If left untreated, reflux can seriously affect your esophagus. Instead, your doctor can prescribe medications that treat reflux and heal your digestive organs.
4. Wear a support or groin strap. If you have a hernia, you can wear a special support that can also reduce your pain. Talk to your doctor about wearing a groin band or panties, which act like supportive underwear. Or wear a support belt or harness that keeps the hernia in place. To put on a support, lie down and fasten the belt or harness around the hernia to hold it in place.
   • Support or groin straps should only be worn for a short period of time. Do realize that they will not heal the hernia.
5. Try acupuncture. Acupuncture is a traditional medicine that modifies the energies of the body by inserting thin needles at specific energy points in the body. You can control your hernia pain by stimulating pressure points that are known to reduce pain. Find a licensed acupuncturist with experience in relieving hernia pain.
   • Acupuncture can relieve your hernia pain, but medical treatment remains necessary to treat the actual hernia.
6. If you experience severe pain, see a doctor immediately. If you suspect you have a hernia, feel an unusual mass in your abdomen or groin, or have frequent heartburn, make an appointment with your doctor. Most hernias can be diagnosed by a physical examination and listing your symptoms. If you have already seen a doctor, but your symptoms have not improved after a few weeks, please contact your doctor again for a follow-up appointment.
   • If you're experiencing unusual pain from your hernia and have a diagnosed abdominal, groin, or femoral hernia, call your doctor or the emergency room right away - the pain could indicate a medical emergency.
7. Get operated on. While you can manage the pain caused by a hernia at home, you will not be able to treat your hernia. Talk to your doctor about surgical options. Your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure in which a surgeon pushes and tightens the protruding muscle back into place. Or a surgeon can do a less invasive procedure that involves making small incisions to repair the hernia with a synthetic mesh.
   • If your hernia is not bothering you much and your doctor thinks it is a small hernia, the doctor may recommend that you postpone surgery for a while.

Part 2 of 3: Changing the way you live

1. Eat smaller meals. If you have heartburn from a hiatal hernia, put less pressure on your stomach. You can do this by eating smaller portions with each meal. You should also eat slowly so that your stomach can digest the food more quickly and easily. This also allows you to reduce pressure on the gastric sphincter (LES), a muscle that has already been weakened.
   • Don't eat anything 2 to 3 hours before going to bed. This will prevent food from straining your abs when you are trying to fall asleep.
   • You can also change your diet to avoid excess stomach acid. Avoid high-fat foods, chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, onions, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.
2. Reduce the pressure on your stomach. Wear clothes that don't clamp your stomach or abdomen. Do not wear tight clothes or belts. Instead, choose shirts that hang loosely around your waist. If you do wear a belt, don't pull it too tight.
   • When you compress your stomach or abdomen, it can cause recurring hernias and worsen heartburn. The acid in your stomach can be squeezed back into your esophagus.
3. Try to lose weight. Being overweight puts extra pressure on your stomach and abdominal muscles. This extra pressure can increase the risk of developing another hernia. The acid in your stomach can also flow back into your esophagus. This can lead to reflux and heartburn.
   • Try to lose weight slowly. The goal is to lose no more than a pound or two per week. Talk to your doctor about adjusting your diet and exercise level.
4. Exercise important muscles. Since you are not allowed to lift heavy things or exert yourself, you should do exercises that strengthen and support your muscles. Lie flat on your back and try one of the following stretches:
   • Pull your knees up so that your legs are slightly bent. Place a pillow between your legs and use your thigh muscles to squeeze the pillow. Relax your muscles and repeat this stretch ten times.
   • Keep your hands at your sides and lift your knees off the floor and in the air. With the help of both legs you make a cycling movement in the air. Keep doing this until you feel the muscle tension in your stomach.
   • Pull your knees up so that your legs are slightly bent. Place your hands behind your head and bend your torso about 30 degrees. Your torso should be closer to your knees. Hold this position and gently lean back. you can repeat this 15 times.
5. Stop smoking. If you are experiencing reflux, try to quit smoking. Smoking makes you produce more stomach acid, which makes reflux worse. And if you need surgery for your hernia, your doctor will likely recommend that you quit smoking altogether in the months leading up to surgery.
   • Smoking will make it more difficult for your body to heal after surgery and can increase your blood pressure during surgery. Smoking also increases the risk of developing a recurrent hernia and infection after surgery.

Part 3 of 3: Using herbal remedies

1. Use shepherd's purse. This plant (considered a weed) has traditionally been used to relieve swelling and pain. Apply shepherd's purse essential oil to the area where you feel the hernia pain. You can also purchase shepherd's purse supplements for oral intake. Always follow the directions on the packaging.
   • Studies have shown that shepherd's purse has an anti-inflammatory effect. It can also prevent inflammation.
2. Drink herbal tea. If you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, and reflux caused by your hernia, drink ginger tea. Ginger has an anti-inflammatory effect and soothes the stomach. Use ginger tea bags or shred 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger. Let the fresh ginger steep in boiling water for 5 minutes. It is especially helpful to drink the ginger tea about half an hour before eating. It is also safe for pregnant and nursing women.
   • Drink fennel tea to calm your stomach and reduce the acid in your stomach. Crush a teaspoon of fennel seeds and let them steep in a cup of boiling water for 5 minutes. Drink 2 to 3 cups a day.
   • You can also drink powdered mustard dissolved in water or chamomile tea. All of these are anti-inflammatory and soothe your stomach by inhibiting acid production.
3. Take licorice root. Use licorice root (deglycyrrhizinated saltwood root) in chewable form. Licorice root has been shown to heal the stomach and inhibit excessive acid production. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. This usually means 2 or 3 tablets every 4 to 6 hours.
   • Keep in mind that licorice root can lead to a lack of potassium in your body, which in turn can lead to cardiac arrhythmias. Talk to your doctor if you are consuming large amounts of licorice root for more than two weeks.
   • Ulmus rubra is another herbal supplement to try as a drink or tablet. It coats and soothes irritated tissues and is safe for use during pregnancy.
4. Drink apple cider vinegar. If you have severe reflux, you can start drinking apple cider vinegar. Some believe that the extra acid tells your body to inhibit its own acid production, although more research is needed. Mix 1 tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar with 180 ml of water and drink it. If you want, you can also add a little honey to improve the taste.
   • A variation on this approach is making your own lemonade or lime juice. Mix a few teaspoons of pure lemon or lime juice and season with water. If you want, you can add a little honey to the drink. Drink this before, during and after meals.
5. Drink aloe vera juice. Choose organic aloe vera juice (not the gel) and drink half a cup. While you can drink this throughout the day, you should limit the daily intake to 1 or 2 cups. This is because aloe vera can act as a laxative.
   • Studies have shown that aloe vera syrup can reduce acid reflux / reflux symptoms by inhibiting inflammation and neutralizing stomach acid.