What Are the Treatments for a Hernia?

A hernia is very painful and often happens to athletes in contact sports. There is only way to properly and completely fix a hernia and that requires surgery. A hernia is not very pleasant to look at either, as the protrusion can be quite severe. What people might not know is that the condition can run in the family.

Only One Way to Fix It

• A hernia usually takes place in the abdomen, where the organs underneath the muscle protrude out through the abdominal wall. A hernia can cause lots of pain to those who are affected by one and will reduce the injured to being bed stricken because of the lack of mobility. There are actually many different types of hernias, with all of them being equally painful and not very pleasant looking. Treating a hernia consists usually of a surgery called herniorrhaphy. There are special bandages or trusses available to temporarily relieve pain, but almost all hernias end up with a surgical procedure. If treated early enough, the protruding organ can be slightly pushed back to where it needs to be, but many times it is not able to do this action. This is called an incarcerated hernia and it will require surgery to be properly fixed. Often when it is a very serious hernia, the abdominal muscle is woven into a synthetic mesh that makes it much easier to heal without popping through again.

Genetics

• Hernias tend to be hereditary. You can pass down weak abdominal walls to your children, and they pass it down to their children. If it does run in the family, simple things like coughing or sneezing can cause a hernia. There is a wide array of ways people can get hernias. Lifting heavy objects without support belts will cause your intestine to be pushed up against the abdominal wall. If it is pushed too hard it will pop right through the muscle. Athletes often get a hernia when playing sports like football and ice hockey.