Hernia is a common condition faced by men and women. The symptoms may vary depending on several factors. However, a hernia can cause extreme discomfort and pain in individuals. A person can prevent the risk of hernia, although it involves the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle and an understanding of risk factors. Here is an essay on hernia that explores the symptoms, risks, and preventive measures of the condition.
What Is Hernia?
Hernia is a bulge that appears on your abdominal wall or groin area and occurs when an organ pushes through the muscles or tissue that holds it in place. The bulge comes through the weak area of the stomach layer called the fascia. Based on the location of the sac, it is categorized into five types. They include:
- Femoral hernia – It is a bulge that appears on the upper thigh area just below the groin. It is a common type of hernia found in men and women.
- Hiatal hernia – It happens when the part of the upper stomach pushes into the chest. Usually, the bulge will occur in the diaphragm muscle.
- Umbilical hernia: As the name implies, an umbilical hernia is the occurrence of a bulge around the belly button.
- Incisional hernia: If you had abdominal surgery in the past, you may develop a hernia through the scar.
- Inguinal hernia – It is a common type of hernia found in men. You may notice a sac in the groin area when you have inguinal hernia. Sometimes the bulge can go all the way to the scrotum.
What Are The Causes Of Hernia?
Genetic predispositions and other medical conditions can sometimes lead to hernia. Sometimes it can be present at the time of birth as well. Usually, there are no clear causes behind this condition. Some of the common risk factors include:
- Heavy lifting
- Weakness in the abdominal wall
- Straining while using the toilet
- Sneezing and coughing (especially conditions such as COPD and bronchitis)
- Obesity
- Previous abdominal surgeries
Sometimes these factors may not lead to the condition. However, if you find the symptoms, seek medical help.
The Common Symptoms Of Hernia
The symptoms of hernia differ from men to women. However, it often goes underdiagnosed in women because women usually don’t develop a bulge like men. Some of the common symptoms of hernia in women are:
- Aching or sharp abdominal pain
- Burning sensation
- A bulge at the area of pain
- Experiencing pain while performing an activity
Some of the top symptoms of hernia in men include:
- A visible bulge
- Extreme pain
- A feeling of pressure
- Tugging sensation around the testicles
- Pain that gets worse with activities such as heavy lifting, pushing, and straining.
What Are The Ways To Prevent Hernia?
Bringing changes in the lifestyle is the main preventive method of hernia. Taking precautions will help reduce the strain on the abdominal muscles and reduce the risks. These are some of the most effective ways to prevent the condition.
✅ Reducing Excess Weight
Obesity is a common cause of hernia; maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of developing the condition. You have to follow a balanced diet and regular exercise to effectively manage your weight.
✅ Perform core-strengthening exercises
Incorporating abdominal muscle-strengthening exercises into the exercise regimen can minimize the risk. Planks, crunches, bridges, and yoga poses can help to build a strong core.
✅ Avoid Heavy Lifting
Refrain from activities that involve lifting weights whenever possible. If you can not avoid a situation that requires heavy lifting, you need to resort to proper lifting techniques. Lifting with your knees and keeping the back straight will help reduce the pressure on the back muscles.
✅ Get Proper Treatment
If you suffer from chronic coughing or sneezing, seek medical help to diagnose the underlying health issues. Coughing and sneezing can put your abdominal muscles under a lot of strain.
✅ Good Posture
Practicing good posture can help address the issue. Good posture can support the abdominal muscles and limit the strain on the lower back. Remember to keep a straight spine while sitting, standing, and lifting.
✅ Quit Smoking
Smoking will lead to coughing and other respiratory conditions. This can lead to an increase in the abdominal muscle. So avoiding smoking can reduce the risk.
These are some of the ways that can help save you from developing a hernia. Addressing the risk factors is the main preventive measure.
Conclusion
Hernia is a preventable condition that occurs when the abdominal wall forms a bulge due to an organ or fatty tissue squeezing through the fascia. Women and men can develop the condition and based on the location of the bulge hernia, it has been categorized into different types.
One can easily prevent the risk of hernia by making some small adjustments to their lifestyle and daily activities.
References
- Inguinal hernia. (2019).
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/inguinal-hernia - Oma E, et al. (2019). Ventral hernia and pregnancy: A systematic review.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29798763
