How to treat a hernia at home

Content

Steps
Part 1 of 4: Changing Your Lifestyle
Part 2 of 4: Applying Exercise
Part 3 of 4: Preventing future hernias
Part 4 of 4: Identifying Your Condition
Tips

A hernia occurs when an organ exits through a hole in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. They are most common in the abdominal region. However, they can also appear in the upper thigh, in the navel, and in the groin. Although in most cases, the occurrence of a hernia does not immediately threaten life, but they do not go away on their own and require surgical intervention in order to prevent potentially dangerous complications. There are said to be exercises you can do at home and lifestyle changes to improve your condition - everything from step 1 is presented below.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Changing Your Lifestyle

1 Eat small meals often. It is recommended to eat small meals 6 times a day - 3 main meals and 3 snacks in between. It is not recommended to eat heavy food and in large portions, as this leads to reflux of the contents of the stomach, especially in cases of hiatal hernia. The acid goes back up the esophagus as part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm and into the chest.
- This is not an excuse to eat more. Snacks should be in addition to smaller meals. Start with half or three quarters of a plate until you get used to the correct serving sizes.
2 Avoid certain foods. In the case of a hiatal hernia, avoid spicy foods, caffeinated drinks, or anything that can upset the stomach. Foods that were enjoyable and previously consumed should now be completely eliminated in order to reduce the strain on your digestive system and the body as a whole.
- These include some teas, as well as soda and coffee. It is also best to avoid certain fruits and citrus juices to keep your stomach acid levels normal.
- Taking antacids once a day before meals can help you control the symptoms of a hernia of the esophagus, especially if you accidentally eat something that upsets your stomach.
3 Avoid physical activity after meals. Do not lie down, bend over, or move too vigorously immediately after eating. These activities can lead to reflux of stomach contents, as discussed above. By avoiding these steps, you can prevent further damage and injury to the affected area.
4 Watch your weight. Excess weight increases pressure in the abdominal cavity and causes the intestines to protrude, which is why a hernia occurs. Eating a healthy diet (consisting of frequent small meals) and exercise that is appropriate for your health can help achieve this goal.
- Talk to your doctor before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise routine. He or she will give you appropriate guidance on how to lose weight without compromising your health.
5 Take pain relievers. The pain reliever works by blocking and preventing the passage of pain signals through the brain. If the pain signal does not reach the brain, the pain cannot be perceived or felt.Although you can see your doctor for stronger medications, there are pain relievers that can be purchased without a doctor's prescription. There are two types of pain relievers you can choose from:
- Simple pain relievers. It is usually sold over the counter and can relieve some types of pain. Paracetamol is a typical example. The correct dosage is determined based on your weight and condition. Ask your doctor which dosage is right for you.
- Strong pain relievers. They are necessary if pain persists after using simple pain relievers. However, certain precautions must be taken as this is addictive and the effect may worsen over time. Examples of these are codeine or tramadol, and they are only available with a doctor's prescription.
6 Also, consider taking an NSAID. These are oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications work by blocking certain chemicals that cause the affected area to become inflamed. Typical examples are ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin.
- Similar principles regarding dosage apply here as well. How often and at what dosage you should take NSAIDs depends on your condition. Check with your doctor and follow the directions on the bottle to relieve pain and avoid unnecessary overdose.
7 Wear a bandage. Especially if you are about to have surgery, your doctor may manually put the hernia back in place and advise you to wear a belt (called a band) to keep the hernia in place until the time of surgery. Although it is not fully proven that wearing a bandage can help after manually repositioning the hernia.
- However, be aware that this can be painful and quite uncomfortable, so be prepared to take over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol when needed.

Part 2 of 4: Applying Exercise

1 Perform bent leg raises. As discussed above, a weakened area such as the abdominal wall can cause an organ or intestine to protrude. Therefore, as a solution, do exercises that will help strengthen the part of the body where the hernia has appeared. A good place to start is by lifting your bent legs. Here's how to do this exercise:
- Start by lying down, keeping your head below the level of your feet.
- Slowly raise both legs about 35 cm or at an angle of 30-45 °. For added stability, you can try this with a partner who will lightly press on your legs as you lift and spread them slightly to the sides.
- Hold this position for a few seconds and then return to the starting position. Start with five reps and gradually work up to ten.
2 Try incline cycling. We recommend avoiding exercises or activities involving heavy lifting, pulling or pushing movements, as this contributes to the appearance of a hernia. Therefore, cycling exercises are good to try. Here's how to do them:
- Lie straight with your head below the level of your feet, keeping your arms at your sides.
- Bend at your hips and lift your knees over your body.
- Using both legs, begin cycling. Stop the exercise after you feel a burning sensation in your abdomen.
3 Squeeze the pillow. Squeezing the pillow is another great exercise that can strengthen your abdomen - without the need for expensive exercise equipment. Here's how:
- Lie straight with your head below the level of your legs and bend your knees. Place a pillow between your knees and hold it.
- Start by inhaling. As you exhale, use your thigh muscles to squeeze the pillow. Make sure you don't tilt your pelvis. After exhaling, relax your thigh muscles.
- You can start with one set of ten reps and gradually work up to three sets.
4 Try mini crunches. This exercise also strengthens the walls of the abdominal muscles.If you're not interested in regular crunches, try mini crunches:
- Lie straight with your head below your feet and bend your knees.
- Start by flexing your torso just 30 ° while contracting your abdominal muscles. Hold this position for a while, and then slowly lower yourself to the starting position.
- Start with one set of 15 reps and work your way up to three sets.
5 Exercise in the pool. Exercising in water adds resistance and makes it a little difficult to maintain balance. This further helps to strengthen the abdominal area. If a pool is available to you, try these exercises:
- Start with a simple walk in the water, three to five laps.
- Upon completion of walking, perform 30 adduction and abduction of the hips, extension and flexion.
- Finally, do 30 half squats.
6 Walk. Walking strengthens the upper and lower abdomen and pelvic floor. Just walk at least 45 minutes a day at a brisk pace, although this doesn't have to happen all at once! A walk - even a 10-minute walk - can be effective, not to mention relaxing.
- Consider making small adjustments, such as park a little further away from any entrance, take an extra morning walk with your dog, or have lunch in the park and walk around to whet your appetite.
7 Practice yoga. Before embarking on any strenuous exercise, check with your healthcare professional first. Yoga is not recommended for some people. Also, make sure you do the poses in the presence of a trained yoga instructor so that he or she will guide you along the way. If you are allowed to do yoga, the following asanas (yoga postures) are believed to help relieve intra-abdominal pressure, strengthen your abdominal muscles, and constrict the inguinal canal:
- Sarvangasana (shoulder stand with support)
- Matsiyasana (fish pose)
- Uttanpadasana (raised legs pose)
- Pavanmuktasana (balancing posture)
- Pacimottanasana (forward bend)
- Ushtrasana (camel pose)
- Vazhrasana (diamond pose)

Part 3 of 4: Preventing future hernias

1 Do not lift heavy objects. To avoid putting pressure on your muscles and abdomen, it is very important to avoid lifting any weights. Or, if you really need it, think about the correct body mechanics. Remember to lift objects using your knees, not your back.
- This means that you have to bend low before using your knees to lift the object. To distribute weight, carry the weight near your torso. This way, you can engage all muscles without putting too much stress on a particular muscle group.
2 Stop smoking. Smoking further damages not only your muscles, but other tissues in your body as well. If you don't want to do it for your heart, lungs, hair, skin, and nails, do it to improve your current condition.
- Moreover, it is good for those around you. Try replacing cigarettes with nicotine patches or chewing gum to reduce your urge to smoke. Reduce your addiction gradually - you should not quit abruptly.
3 Do your best to avoid illness. Sneezing, coughing, vomiting, and bowel movements can all put stress on your intestines and abdomen. On the other hand, they are normal functions that the body must perform. Do your best to protect yourself from illness and avoid these problems.
- Avoid straining during the act of bowel movement so as not to apply too much pressure on the abdomen, if possible. And if you have a persistent cough, seek medical attention to avoid further tension in your abdominal muscles.
4 Consider surgery. If all other measures fail, surgery may be required to repair the hernia.The operation is called "hernia repair" and can be performed in the following ways:
- Laparoscopic Surgery... It uses a tiny camera and miniature surgical equipment to reposition the hernia using small incisions. The hernia is repaired by suturing the opening to close the abdominal wall. Surgical mesh is also used to close the hole. Laparoscopic surgery is less damaging to the surrounding tissue and it takes less time to recover. However, there is a risk of hernia recurrence.
- Open operation... This is suitable for hernias where part of the intestine has moved into the scrotum. Open surgery requires a longer recovery process. You can resume your normal daily activities six weeks after surgery.
  - Both types of surgery are performed under local or general anesthesia. The surgeon returns the hernial tissue to its place and, if pinching occurs, removes the part of the organ that has undergone oxygen starvation. Hernia surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis.

Part 4 of 4: Identifying Your Condition

1 Know if you have an inguinal hernia. This is the most common type of hernia. In both women and men, the inguinal canal is located in the groin area. In males, this is the area where the spermatic cord is located, which holds the testicles and runs from the abdomen to the scrotum. In women, the inguinal canal contains ligaments that help hold the uterus in place. Symptoms of an inguinal hernia include:
- Bumps on either side of the pubic bone, more felt when standing.
- Pain, tingling, or discomfort at the bulge in the lower abdomen when bending, coughing, or lifting a load.
  - Inguinal hernias are common in men because the canal does not close properly and leaves the weakened area prone to herniation. Typically, a man's testicles descend through the inguinal canal shortly after birth, and the canal is almost completely closed behind them. Inguinal hernias develop when intestines are pushed through the inguinal canal.
2 Know if you have a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest. It is most common in people over the age of 50. A hiatal hernia causes gastroesophageal reflux, causing a burning sensation as stomach contents drain back into the esophagus. Symptoms of a hiatal hernia include:
- Gastroesophageal reflux is a burning sensation from stomach acid back up into the esophagus as part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest.
- Chest pain. Backfilling of stomach contents and acid results in burning chest pain.
- Difficulty swallowing. The protrusion of a portion of the stomach causes the stomach contents to flow back and makes the person feel as if food is stuck on its way up the esophagus.
  - Birth defects can also lead to this condition in a baby.
3 Know that you have a postoperative hernia. An incisional hernia occurs when the intestines are pushed through an incision scar or weakened tissue after abdominal surgery.
- A bulge or swelling at the site of surgery in the abdominal region is the only “symptom”. The intestines bulge out through an incision scar or weakened tissue, resulting in a bulge or swelling.
4 Find out if your child has an umbilical hernia. Babies under six months of age develop an umbilical hernia when the intestines protrude through the abdominal wall at the navel.
- A sign that a baby has an umbilical hernia is constant crying and a bulging or swelling in the navel.
- The inability of the abdominal wall to close makes it a weak point and contributes to the development of an umbilical hernia. They usually go away on their own when the baby is about one year old.If the hernia persists by one year of age, surgery is preferable to fix the problem.
5 Find out the causes of hernias. A hernia may come on suddenly or develop gradually. It can be caused by muscle weakness and tension in the body.
- Common causes of muscle weakness include:
  - Age
  - Chronic cough
  - Damage due to trauma or surgery
  - Failure of the abdominal wall to close properly in the womb (birth defect)
- Factors that strain your body and can cause a hernia include:
  - Ascites (abdominal dropsy)
  - Constipation
  - Pregnancy
  - Weight lifting
  - Persistent coughing or sneezing
  - Sharp weight gain
6 Know the risk factors. There are several factors that increase the risk of developing a hernia, such as:
- Chronic constipation
- Chronic cough
- Cystic fibrosis (damages lung function, leading to chronic cough)
- Obesity or overweight
- Pregnancy
- Personal or family history of hernia
- Smoking
  - Some of these risk factors are under your control. Since hernias can recur, it is best to try to overcome the factors that you can handle to reduce the likelihood of the ailment returning.
7 Know how you will be diagnosed. Each type of hernia is diagnosed in different ways. Here's how diagnoses are made:
- Inguinal or incisional hernia. Diagnosed by physical examination. The healthcare professional will most likely feel a bulge in the abdominal or groin area that enlarges when you stand, cough, or exert yourself.
- Hiatal hernia... X-rays or endoscopy are used to diagnose this type of hernia. For the barium method, the patient is given a liquid barium solution to drink and several X-rays of the digestive tract are taken. Endoscopic examination uses a small camera attached to a tube that is inserted through the throat to the esophagus and into the stomach. These tests allow the doctor to see the location of the stomach in the body.
- Umbilical hernia... Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the body's internal structures to help identify an umbilical hernia in a baby. Umbilical hernias in babies go away on their own within four years. Those who have a congenital disease, over time, only need careful observation by a doctor.
8 Be aware of the potential complications of a hernia. Although initially they sometimes seem less serious, if left untreated, a hernia can grow and become incredibly painful. It is best to see your doctor at the first sign of any type of hernia. Two main things can happen if you ignore the hernia:
- Bowel obstruction... This can cause severe pain, constipation, and vomiting if part of the intestines gets stuck in the abdominal wall.
- Pinching... This can happen when there is insufficient blood supply to the intestines. The intestinal tissue can become infected and impair its function, which can be life threatening and require urgent medical attention.