How to relieve hernia pain

Video: What are my pain relief options for an inguinal hernia? Is it safe to use a hernia truss?

Content

Steps
Part 1 of 3: Home Pain Relief
Part 2 of 3: Lifestyle Changes
Part 3 of 3: Using Herbal Remedies
Additional articles

A hernia can appear in a wide variety of places on the body. It causes pain and discomfort. This is due to the fact that with a hernia, the contents of one part of the body penetrate the surrounding tissues or muscles. A hernia may appear on the abdomen, around the navel, in the groin area, on the thighs, or in the stomach. A stomach hernia (hiatal hernia) is often accompanied by acidity and acid reflux. Fortunately, hernia-related pain and discomfort can be alleviated with home remedies and lifestyle changes.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Home Pain Relief

1 Use ice packs. If you experience relatively mild discomfort, apply an ice pack to the hernia for 10-15 minutes. With the permission of the doctor, you can do ice compresses 1-2 times a day. Ice packs can help reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Never apply ice or an ice pack directly to your skin. Before applying the ice pack to your skin, be sure to wrap it in a thin towel or other cloth. This will protect your skin from damage.
2 Take pain relievers. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and paracetamol can be used to relieve moderate pain. Always follow the enclosed instructions for use.
- If you need to take pain relievers for more than a week, see your doctor. He may prescribe stronger drugs for you.
3 Take your reflux medication. A hiatal hernia (hiatal hernia) is often accompanied by acidity, or so-called reflux. In this case, both over-the-counter antacids and physician-prescribed proton pump inhibitors can be used to reduce gastric acid production.
- If your reflux symptoms do not improve within a few days, you should see your doctor. If not properly treated, acid reflux can cause serious damage to the esophagus. Your doctor will be able to prescribe the right medications for you to get rid of reflux and heal your digestive system.
4 Wear a support bandage or hernial band. If you have an inguinal hernia, you may need to wear a supportive bandage to help reduce pain as well. Talk to your doctor about a hernial band, similar to a supportive undergarment. Support straps can also be worn to help hold the hernia in place. To properly secure the straps or brace, lie down and tie them tightly around the hernia.
- A support bandage or bandage should only be worn for a short time. They will not cure a hernia in any way.
5 Try acupuncture. This traditional medical practice allows you to regulate the flow of energy in the body using fine needles that are stuck at various specific points in the body. Hernia pain can be controlled by stimulating the points that relieve pain. See a qualified acupuncturist who has experience in relieving hernia pain.
- Acupuncture can help relieve pain, but it does not heal a hernia.
6 In case of severe pain, see a doctor immediately. Make an appointment with your doctor if you suspect you have a hernia, have an unusual weight in your abdomen or groin area, or have acidity and heartburn. In most cases, a hernia is diagnosed as a result of a physical examination and analysis of symptoms. If you have already seen your doctor but your symptoms have not improved a few weeks after that, make an appointment again.
- If you are experiencing unusually severe pain and have been diagnosed with an abdominal, inguinal, or femoral hernia, call your doctor or emergency room immediately, as this may require urgent medical attention.
7 Perform the operation. Although pain can be relieved at home, the hernia itself does not heal. Talk to your doctor about surgery. Your doctor may be able to recommend the right surgery to get the muscles back into place. It is possible that a less invasive procedure is also suitable, when a mesh of synthetic material is inserted into small incisions to hold the hernia.
- You are unlikely to be recommended surgery if the hernia does not often bother you, and the doctor thinks that it is small.

Part 2 of 3: Lifestyle Changes

1 Eat smaller meals. If you are experiencing heartburn due to a hiatus hernia, try to reduce the stress on your stomach. To do this, reduce the size of the portions. Also, eat slowly so that the food is digested more easily and faster in the stomach. It will also help relieve pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, which is already weakened.
- Try not to eat anything 2-3 hours before bedtime. This will help prevent food pressure on your stomach muscles and help you fall asleep more easily.
- You can also change your diet to lower stomach acidity. Avoid fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, onions, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.
2 Reduce pressure on your abdomen. Wear clothing that does not put pressure on your abdomen and stomach. Avoid tight clothing and belts and wear loose clothing around the waist. If you do wear a belt, adjust it so that it does not restrict your waist.
- Pressure on the stomach and abdomen can cause the hernia to flare up and acidify the stomach. As a result, gastric juice can rise back up into the esophagus.
3 Lose excess weight. Being overweight puts additional pressure on your stomach and abdominal muscles. This extra pressure increases the risk of developing another hernia. In addition, it promotes the elevation of gastric juice into the esophagus. This can lead to reflux and acidity.
- Lose weight gradually. Try to lose no more than 0.5-1 kilograms per week. Talk to your doctor about diet and exercise.
4 Do exercises for the relevant muscles. Since a hernia can not lift weights or overexert yourself, do exercises that will strengthen and support your muscles. Lie on your back and try the following stretching exercises:
- Bend your legs slightly and lift your knees. Place a pillow between your legs and squeeze it, contracting your thigh muscles. Then relax your muscles again. Repeat the exercise ten times.
- Place your hands on your belt, bend your knees slightly and lift them off the floor. Move both feet in the air as if you were pedaling. Continue doing the exercise until you feel the tension in your abdominal muscles.
- Bend your legs slightly and lift your knees. Reach your arms behind your head and lift your torso at an angle of about 30 degrees. Bend your torso to your knees. Hold this position for a while, then slowly lower yourself to the floor. Repeat the exercise 15 times.
5 Stop smoking. If you have reflux, try to quit smoking. Smoking increases the acidity of the stomach, which aggravates reflux.In addition, if you are planning surgery to get rid of a hernia, your doctor will probably advise you to quit smoking a few months before the surgery.
- Smoking slows down recovery from surgery and can increase blood pressure in the postoperative period. In addition, smoking increases the risk of hernia recurrence and postoperative infection.

Part 3 of 3: Using Herbal Remedies

1 Use a shepherd's bag. This plant (considered a weed) has long been used to relieve swelling and pain. Apply shepherd's purse essential oil to the area where the hernia pain is felt. You can also buy supplements with a shepherd's purse and take them by mouth. Always follow the directions for use and adhere to the recommended dosage.
- Research has shown that shepherd's purse is anti-inflammatory. Moreover, it prevents infection.
2 Drink herbal teas. If you experience nausea, vomiting, and reflux due to a hernia, drink ginger tea. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and soothes the stomach. Brew ginger tea bags or use 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger. Boil fresh ginger in water for 5 minutes. It is especially beneficial to drink ginger tea about half an hour before meals. It is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Consider drinking fennel tea to help normalize stomach function and lower acidity. Take a teaspoon of fennel seeds, crush them and boil in a glass (250 ml) of water for 5 minutes. Drink 2-3 glasses of this tea daily.
- You can also drink an aqueous solution of mustard powder or regular mustard, as well as chamomile tea. Mustard solution and chamomile tea have anti-inflammatory properties and reduce stomach acidity.
3 Take licorice root. Look for licorice root (licorice root glycyrrhizinate) chewable tablets. Licorice root has been shown to help with stomach problems and lower acidity. Follow the enclosed directions for use. It is usually recommended to take 2-3 tablets every 4-6 hours.
- Note that licorice root sometimes causes a lack of potassium, which can lead to cardiac arrhythmias. Consult your doctor if you intend to take licorice root in large amounts or for longer than two weeks.
- Try a rusty elm bark supplement. They are available as a solution or tablets. It coats and soothes irritated tissues and is safe during pregnancy.
4 Drink apple cider vinegar. For severe reflux, apple cider vinegar may help. Some believe that the extra acid triggers feedback and signals the body to limit the production of its own acid, although this issue warrants further research. Add 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of apple cider vinegar to 180 milliliters of water and drink the mixture. You can add a little honey if desired to enhance the flavor.
- You can also make your own lemonade or limeade. Just take a few teaspoons of lemonade or lime juice and fill it with water to taste. You can also add some honey if desired. Drink this lemonade before, during and after meals.
5 Drink aloe vera juice. Take natural aloe vera juice (not gel) and drink 1/2 cup (120 milliliters). You can drink a little juice throughout the day, but you should not drink more than 1-2 glasses (250-500 milliliters) per day, as aloe vera has a laxative effect.
- Studies have shown that aloe vera syrup helps with acid reflux, reduces inflammation and neutralizes stomach acid.