A hernia is a medical condition caused when the internal organs in the human body push through an opening within the muscles that hold the organs in place. A hernia is most commonly within the abdomen, upper thigh, groin, and belly button. Let’s explore Natural Remedies For A Hernia

A hernia is often painless and without significant symptoms initially and only noticeable due to the soft bulge formed underneath the skin. But when it is not treated, it can become more serious. Hernia can be developed within both males and females. However, men commonly have this condition, especially an inguinal hernia.

After the diagnosis of a hernia, medical attention is necessary. Fortunately, there are various natural remedies that can relieve hernia symptoms without surgery.

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What Is Hernia?

A hernia occurs when the internal organ of the human body comes out through the wall or muscles that normally contain it. A hernia most commonly occurs within the abdomen between hips and chest. A hernia doesn’t show any symptoms at first, but if not treated, it can result in fever, nausea, vomiting, severe pain, and constipation.

Hernia can be noticed through the bulge present within the patient’s skin. There are different types of hernia, depending upon where it is formed. Some most common types are:

Inguinal Hernia: Inguinal canal is a passageway for blood vessels and a spermatic cord leading to the testicles in men. While in women, the inguinal canal consists of a round ligament that supports the womb. In an Inguinal hernia, fatty tissues poke at the top of the inner thigh. This type of hernia is more common in men than women.
Femoral Hernia: This type of hernia is not as common as inguinal hernia. In the femoral hernia, the fatty tissues of the intestine protrude into the groin. This type of hernia is mostly seen in older women.
Umbilical Hernia: In this type of hernia, the fatty acids of the intestine push through the abdomen near the belly button. In this hernia, a bulge is formed within the skin at the belly button that can be noticed.
Hiatal Hernia: In a hiatal hernia, part of the stomach pushes into the chest cavity with the help of an opening in the diaphragm, which is the sheet of muscles that separates the abdomen and chest

Symptoms of Hernia:

There are no noticeable symptoms, At the early stage of this disease, but if the hernia is in the abdomen or groin, it can produce a noticeable bulge. This bulge can push back in or disappear when the person is lying down. And it can reappear in case of laughing, coughing, and other physical activity.

The symptoms of a hernia may differ in person depending upon the type of hernia. But the most common symptoms are:

Severe pain at the point of the bulge
Increasing bulge size over time
Signs of bowel obstruction
Feeling full all the time
Pain while lifting
Dull aching sensation

These are the symptoms that appear in almost every kind of hernia. But in a hiatal hernia, there are no bulges that appear on the outside of the body. And it may have some different symptoms like chest pain, indigestion, heartburn, and difficulty swallowing.

Causes:

There are different causes of hernia depending upon the form of this disease. In inguinal and femoral hernia, the main cause is a weakness of muscles which may have been present in the patient since birth or associated with aging. Muscle weakness can also be caused by physical exertion, pregnancy, and obesity.

Adults may also get an umbilical hernia. They strain the abdominal area by being obese, having frequent heavy coughs, or after giving birth. There is not enough research on the exact cause of the hiatal hernia, but it is suggested that it can be caused due to weakening of the diaphragm when it can happen with age or putting pressure on the abdomen.

How Common is Hernia?

The hernia has become a prevalent disease with time. This disease can also occur in men, women, adults, and older. But some types of hernia are more common than others. For example:

75 to 80% of hernia cases are femoral or inguinal hernias.
Ventral or Incisional hernia is only 2%
3 to 10% of cases are of umbilical hernia, of which 10 to 20% effects the newborn
1 to 3% of cases are of other types

9 Natural Remedies to Treat hernia

Several treatments for hernia are present these days, but surgery is the last option if the disease catches severity. But the good news is that several natural remedies can help treat this disease without surgery.

1. Castor Oil

Castor oil has been very popular for centuries due to its ability to address stomach problems. Studies (Antonio Scarpa, 1982) have shown Castor oil can help in reducing inflammation inside the stomach and increase digestive health. Castor oil can be used to reduce the pain caused by hernia.

Add castor seed oil into the pack and place it on the stomach to reduce the pain and swell near the affected areas.

2. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera is a plant with abundant benefits. It is good for health and is used in numerous beauty products and cosmetics. Many people consume aloe vera juice regularly for health benefits.

Aloe vera is also used to ease hernia symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. If you drink this juice before every meal, it can lower the risk of developing a hernia. Aloe Vera Benefits

3. Ice Packs

A hernia’s typical symptoms are inflammation and pain in the abdomen. To reduce these symptoms, ice packs can be very helpful. Ice packs can reduce inflammation by triggering the contraction when applied to the affected area.

All you have to do is to put ice cubes in the pack and press it on the affected area for a few minutes. It can also help in relieving the pain.

4. Ginger Root

Ginger juice or raw ginger has been used for centuries for several medical purposes. Ginger is very famous due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. According to research (M. E. Bone, 1990), One of the major benefits of consuming ginger is that it can reduce pain and discomfort in the stomach.

Ginger can restrict the production of gastric juice by the stomach, which commonly occurs during Hiatal hernias. It can also reduce acid reflux which can help in treating a swollen region of the hernia. See Ginger Turmeric Shot.

5. Vegetable Juice

One of the best ways to get an advantage from the vegetable is by drinking fresh vegetable juice without added sugar. And this vegetable juice is an effective natural remedy that can work against hernia.

Vegetables like carrot, broccoli, onions, kale, and spinach can be turned into delicious and nutritious juice (Prajapati, 2012). These vegetables contain some essential nutrients and anti-inflammatory properties, which can soothe the painful symptoms of the hernia.

6. Balanced Diet

Diet plays an important role in medical conditions like a hernia. Spicy and acidic foods which are difficult to digest are restricted during hernia. The reason is that this food can increase the inflammation in the lining of the stomach and worsen hernia symptoms.

So the best thing you can do is to add such items in your daily routine diet which can help you during this condition, like:

Coconut Yogurt
Cabbage juice
Carrot juice
Almonds and chia seeds
Artichokes
Soy milk
Sweet potatoes
Green beans
Foods with high fiber like oatmeal, whole grain, legumes, and beans
Non-citrus foods like pears, berries, melons, and apples

7. Weight Loss

One of the major risks of hernia is weight gain or obesity. Because extra weight and fats can slow down the process of healing, resulting in worsening the symptoms of a hernia, according to recent research (Long, 2022), losing weight can help you In this condition by improving the posture of the body and putting less physical strain on the body.

Therefore, when a person is diagnosed with a hernia, doctors recommend he take small meals. And in most cases, the symptoms disappear naturally. How To Lose Weight Naturally

8. Quitting Strenuous Exercise

Another major cause of hernia is over-exertion of the body with high intensity and strenuous exercises. People suffering from hernias are not allowed to lift heavy weights. So, in case of such a medical condition, cut back from heavy exercises and try to perform easy workouts.

It is not necessary that you have to overexert yourself in order to keep your body in shape or become fit. There are a lot of easier and low-intensity exercises which can provide you the same benefits. For example, try walking instead of running, cycle your legs while lying on the mat, or do a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes daily.

9. Stress-Relieving Activities

Stress may also be one of the causes of hernia because it can put more strain on the metabolism. But this stress can be reduced with stress-relieving activities like massage, exercise, and aromatherapy.

Exercise can improve mental and physical health.

When to Seek Medical Help

The hernia symptoms and signs can be recognized if it’s large; however, if you are not sure about your condition, then it’s better to see your doctor before making any assumptions. Your doctor will check you properly so you can get the proper treatment.

Most of the time, doctors do the physical examination by pressing the area inward with their hands. And in some cases, the doctor runs an imaging test to see the hernia.

An umbilical hernia mainly occurs in infants with no pain or major symptoms. In the case of an infant, a hernia can close over time, all on its own. But always consult with the pediatrician to see what they recommend. Because if the hernia is not gone by the time your child is five years old, he has to undergo a minor procedure to get it fixed.

Hernia can also block the intestine sometimes, so the bowel movement can get caught behind the hernia, causing symptoms like pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloating. Get yourself checked by a physician in case of any of these symptoms.

Surgical procedures are also done to treat hernia and prevent it from appearing again in the future. This surgical procedure is quick, and the patient can be discharged from the hospital on the same day. But it’s important to follow all the instructions given by the doctor after the surgery. And avoid lifting heavy things for some time.

Bottom Line

A hernia is a medical condition caused by internal organs when they push through a weak spot in muscles or tissues. A hernia doesn’t have any clear symptoms at first, but in some cases, a noticeable lump can appear.

There are many different types of hernia, like umbilical hernia, femoral hernia, hiatal hernia, and inguinal hernia. A hernia is common in both men and women and can occur in infants. An umbilical hernia is most common in infants.

A severe hernia can result in major health complications or even death if it is not treated. There are many natural remedies through which hernia can be treated. Certain foods like castor oil, aloe vera, ginger, black pepper, and vegetable juice can be very helpful in reducing symptoms and treating this medical condition.

But with a healthy diet, a healthy lifestyle is also important. Maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising, and avoiding over-exerting exercises can also help during hernia. These Natural Remedies For A Hernia have been seen to be effective in most cases of hernia. But in case of sudden pain or severe symptoms, it is recommended to seek medical help.

Natural Remedies For A Hernia

What Is Hernia?