"Extra fat within the abdomen can displace the stomach . . ."
I thought I
would post this because I've known a few folks who've had hernia operations, and
had they had this information prior to listening to their doctors they may not
have gone through with the operation. Just as all surgeries weaken the tissue
and organ operated on, so will hernia surgery weaken the abdomen. You don't
want this, since so many functions we take for granted are under the direction
of the abdomen and intestines. Think of what the diaphragm does. It regulates
breathing and oxygen absorption. This is too important of a function for
health. Don't take it for granted. Just because you are able to breathe and you
do breathe does not necessarily mean that you're breathing to your fullest.
Like everything else in your life you want high performance. It's why you seek
certain foods at the grocery store or when you select certain restaurants to
eat at. Don't skimp on your health and well-being either.
The points made in this
slideshow are pretty good even if you don't have a hernia. I like Ayurvedic medicine.
It is gentle. Ayurvedic herbs were the first ones I'd heard of to help with
stress outside of the B Vitamins. Also, I'd had an Ayurvedic massage almost 12
years ago and could not believe the energy it generated throughout my body. I
did go back months later for a second Ayurvedic massage but it didn't have the
same effect. And the cost back then 2002 of $100 was prohibitive for me. Still,
that was a great memory.
I do not know which vitamins would benefit a
hernia. I would guess that probiotics in the form of yogurt would help.
Problem is is that if you're a tough guy who has always been around
construction, maintenance, lifting, or sports, you're going to find this a bit
disappointing. But maybe you could have watched out for your stomach and
your intestines a little better. Still, the video is worth the few
minutes of your time. One detail from the slideshow that caught my
attention was that 27% of men get hernias, whereas only 3% of women get them.
Get that. It's men who are doing all the lifting. I hope I am not
overstating it. And if it has no relevance to your, perhaps you can pass
it on to a friend or family member who may benefit from it now . . . or later.
Obviously, I wish you the best health possible. It's one reason why
I make these posts. Information does not hurt. And this site is not
a bad source for healthful resources.
The idea of customized and custom-fitted truss
was excellent. I could not imagine any better physical support than a
bilateral hernia belt. Find them at Amazon. These support belts will push an inguinal
hernia back into its proper position in the intestinal wall. This is a
viable option if the hernia is reducible. How can one know if it is
reducible? What are the signs of reducibility? The hernia support
belt should be fitted while standing so that it can accommodate any of the
usual positions you assume in normal activity. The truss must be
specifically designed for your particular hernia rather than purchasing a
generic drug store truss which may hinder circulation in the abdomen and legs.
EXERCISE YOUR ABDOMEN
To exercise your abdomen, simply lie on your
back on the floor with your feet flat on the floor and your knees raised.
Keeping your shoulders on the floor, lift your buttocks and back.
Hold it for a second. Repeat this exercise 10 times per session.
DIAPHRAGM
Tone the diaphragm. A diaphragm too tight
from stress needs relaxing. Massage helps with this, but this exercise is
also immediately beneficial, requires no appointment, and costs nothing but
your time and effort. A diaphragm with a weakened opening will require
tightening. Yoga breathing and relaxation techniques can help with both
tightening and relaxation. Not bad.
Always try diaphragmatic breathing. The
procedure is simple. Lie down with both knees bent and feet close to the
buttocks. Feel relaxed. Put both hands lightly on the abdomen and
concentrate the attention on this area. Now breathe in gently, pushing the
abdomen up under the hands at the same time until no more air can be inhaled.
Then relax, breathing out through the mouth with an audible sighing sound
and allow the abdominal wall to sink back. The shoulders and chest should
remain at rest throughout.
SMOKING
If you smoke, stop. Nicotine weakens the
muscles of the abdomen. And chronic coughing can worsen or even cause a
hernia.
DIET
Roughage. Eat plenty of roughage.
The slideshow depicts bread products as roughage. I can think of
more nutritious roughage. It does state to avoid fatty and fried foods.
Hmm. Mayb for the duration required to heal the hernia, but I would
guess that fatty foods, foods with good saturated fats, would be good for you.
Fried foods I absolutely agree to avoid those. Though they are
delicious, the fried oils wreak havoc on the intestines. Avoid foods that
induce flatulence, like milk and carrots, as these can contribute to a strangulated hernia.
Eat numerous small meals everyday rather than a
few large ones. Don't lie down or bend over within two hours of a meal.
Food gets trapped in pockets. Avoid spicey foods, fried foods, and
those that are hard to digest. They also delay the stomach's emptying
time. Avoid hard fiber such as oats. Didn't realize that oats were hard
fiber. Compared to what? He recommends rice.
Stay away from alcohol, caffeinated and fizzy
drinks.
BED/SLEEP (5:57 minute-mark)
Raise your bed at the head end. Don't
support your head with extra pillows for this can increase pressure on the
abdomen.
LIFTING & BENDING
Avoid lifting heavy weights. If you do
need to lift things, lift by bending your knees into a squatted position and
lift with your legs, not with your back.
BODY WEIGHT (6:32 minute mark)
Lose weight if you are overweight. Extra
fat within the abdomen can displace the stomach, pushing it upward through the
aperture in the diaphragm in the case of a hiatus hernia. Hiatal Hernias involve the
diaphragm. Inguinal Hernia involves the groin. Abdominal hernias occur at the abdominal
wall.
CLOTHING
Avoid wearing tight clothes around your chest or
abdomen. They put pressure on the stomach.
TEAS
Herbal remedies. 1/4 cup of Aloe Vera
juice in the moring and again at night. Very beneficial home remedy for hernia.
FOOD REMEDY
Rice has been shown to be beneficial for hiatus
hernias. Use buttermilk and banana and rice is a good treatment for the
burning associated with a hiatus hernia.
