Hernia Prevention

Hernias are a medical condition that can be prevented by educating yourself on the causes. Knowing what causes a hernia is the best way to prevent yourself from getting one. A hernia is an organ that has slipped through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle and/or connective tissue.

The main cause of hernias is weakness in muscles. For example, weak abdominal muscles are more susceptible to abdominal hernias when there is straining involved. Any time you strain, you're at risk of developing a hernia in weak muscles. The best way to prevent hernias is by taking precautions so as not to strain in severe ways.

Hernias range in severity from being unnoticeable and causing no discomfort, to extremely painful and requiring surgical repair. The longer a hernia is neglected, the worse the situation can get and can eventually lead to hernia surgery complications.

For example, if part of the intestine gets trapped outside the abdominal wall for a long period of time, the blood flow will eventually get cut off and the tissue will die. This is called strangulation and it is a life-threatening emergency. This is why it is important to seek medical attention for any type of hernia as soon as possible.

Many different things involving straining and weak muscles can cause a hernia. Listed below are a few common ways you can develop a hernia.

Pregnancy or Rapid Weight Gain

Weight gain, including weight gained from pregnancy, is a contributing factor for hernias. Once you become pregnant, the added weight puts more pressure on internal organs and can cause a hernia to protrude through weak abdominal muscles. Having strong abdominal muscles prior to pregnancy can reduce the odds of you developing a hernia once you become pregnant.

The same thing is true if you gain weight rapidly, for whatever reason, the added weight puts strain on muscles. This is another recipe for developing a hernia. A good way to prevent this is a lifestyle change to lose extra weight and reduce the pressure on your internal organs., and/or increase your abdominal muscles.

Constipation

Any type of straining can cause a hernia, even straining during constipation. When you're constipated and strain to produce a bowel movement, you are at risk of giving yourself a nasty hernia. The best way to prevent a hernia caused by constipation is to take a laxative or stool softener to produce a bowel movement. This is much safer than straining.

Heavy Lifting

Lifting heavy objects alone is one of the easiest ways to give yourself a hernia. Once again, heavy objects cause straining and put pressure on weak muscles. If you must lift a heavy object on your own, use proper lifting techniques. For example, aim to lift with your legs instead of lifting with your back. If an object is too heavy to lift without causing you to strain, it is better to have someone help balance the weight when you lift. This is also notable if you are a gym-goer. Although lifting weights is designed to enhance your physique, it needs to be done properly to remain safe.

In conclusion, hernias can become a serious issue if left untreated. You can take certain steps to ensure that you prevent yourself from getting a hernia by avoiding any type of severe straining.