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A herniation is a protrusion of tissue through a weakness in the abdominal wall. It can be either external or internal.
The most common types of hernia are inguinal, incisional, and umbilical. - An inguinal hernia is the protrusion of the intestine or bladder through the abdominal wall in the groin. Most hernias are inguinal, and most occur in men because of a natural weakness in this area.
- An incisional hernia develops at the site of an operation where the muscles have not healed properly.
- An umbilical hernia is situated near the navel. Common in newborns, it also afflicts obese women or those who have had many children.
Causes & Development
People can be born with weaknesses that make them prone to hernias. Anything that causes muscle strain, weakens tissue, or increases abdominal pressures can then induce herniation. Examples include obesity, lifting heavy objects, constipation, smoking, poor nutrition or persistent coughing. Ultimately, all hernias are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and strain: a weak spot in the muscle tears under the pressure of strain, and an internal organ or tissue then pushes through the tear. Sometimes under heavy pressure, the tearing pain of a hernia may be felt.
Signs & Symptoms
Sometimes you will be able to feel it yourself on the side of the abdomen or groin. You may feel pain when you lift heavy objects, cough, strain during urination or bowel movements, or during prolonged standing or sitting. The pain may be sharp and immediate or a dull ache that gets worse towards the end of the day. Severe, continuous pain, redness and tenderness are signs that the hernia may be entrapped or strangulated. These symptoms are cause for concern and immediate contact of your physician or surgeon is recommended.
Diagnosis & Tests
A doctor's physical examination is often enough to diagnose a hernia.
Treatment & Prevention
The weakened area may recover by itself or preventative measures may keep the problem from recurring. - Avoid excessive lifting when possible
- Empty your lungs before heavy lifting, rather than filling them
- Gentle exercise on a regular basis tones and strengthens stomach muscles
- Avoid becoming overweight
- Avoid straining on the toilet.
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Conditions that suggest Abdominal Hernia:
Recommendations and treatments for Abdominal Hernia: | | | | | Homeopathy |  Calcarea fluoratum Cell Salt | For general hernias, take the cell salt Calc Fluor in tablet or liquid form several times per day. |
Homeopathic Remedies| | Calcarea carbonica is a leading remedy for general use in hernias. |
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Surgery/Invasive |
 Surgery| | Surgery will usually be required to repair the area. It is important to get your hernia seen to by a doctor because if it is left untreated, the protruding organ may become strangulated (have its blood supply cut off), and infection and tissue death may occur as a result. In babies, umbilical hernias frequently heal themselves within four years, making surgery unnecessary. |
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KEY | | Proven definite or direct link | | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Abdomen (Abdominal)
That part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, bladder, pancreas and other organs.
Constipation (Constipated)
Difficult, incomplete, or infrequent evacuation of dry, hardened feces from the bowels.
Inguinal
Pertaining to the region of the groin. Generally, the lowest lateral regions of the abdomen just above either side of the genitals.
Lung (Lungs, Pulmonary)
Organ of the body, located in the chest cavity which is designed to bring oxygen from the air into the blood stream, while also expelling carbon dioxide and other waste gases out of the body. Pulmonary: Related to the lungs.
Stomach
A hollow, muscular, J-shaped pouch located in the upper part of the abdomen to the left of the midline. The upper end (fundus) is large and dome-shaped; the area just below the fundus is called the body of the stomach. The fundus and the body are often referred to as the cardiac portion of the stomach. The lower (pyloric) portion curves downward and to the right and includes the antrum and the pylorus. The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The tissues of the stomach wall are composed of three types of muscle fibers: circular, longitudinal and oblique. These fibers create structural elasticity and contractibility, both of which are needed for digestion. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin. To protect itself from being destroyed by its own enzymes, the stomach’s mucous lining must constantly regenerate itself.
Last updated: Nov 14, 2009
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