Hernias can occur in various parts of the body; they are painful and annoying because they are actually formed by an organ that pushes and passes through the surrounding tissue or muscle. Typically, they form in the abdomen, near the navel, in the groin region (femoral or inguinal hernia) or in the stomach; in the latter case, it is called a hiatal hernia and you may complain of gastric hyperacidity or acid reflux. Thankfully, you can manage pain at home and make lifestyle changes to help ease the discomfort.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Treating the Pain at Home
Step 1. Use ice packs
If you are experiencing relatively mild pain, you can take advantage of cold therapy by applying the ice pack directly to the hernia for 10-15 minutes. You can repeat the treatment once or twice a day after receiving a favorable opinion from the doctor; the cold keeps swelling and inflammation in check.
Never place ice or ice pack directly on bare skin, but wrap the pack in a thin sheet or towel before applying it to avoid skin damage
Step 2. Take medication to manage pain
If you are in moderate pain, you can find some relief with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. always respect the instructions on the leaflet regarding the dosage.
If you realize you've been taking over-the-counter medications for more than a week to get better, talk to your doctor. may prescribe stronger pain relievers
Step 3. Take medication to manage acid reflux
If you have a hiatal (stomach) hernia, you probably suffer from hyperacidity and reflux; you can take over-the-counter antacids and other active ingredients to limit stomach acid production, as well as prescription drugs, such as proton pump inhibitors.
If your symptoms do not improve after several days of therapy, you should see your doctor who may prescribe medications to both manage reflux and treat the digestive tract organs
Step 4. Put on a hernia support or girdle
If you have an inguinal hernia, you need to wear special support to help you manage the pain. talk to your doctor, it is very similar to a jockstrap. To wear it you need to lie down and wrap the belt or harness around the hernia to compress it.
Supports and belts should only be worn for a short time, as they are not a permanent solution to the problem
Step 5. Try acupuncture
It is a traditional medicine practice that balances the body's energies by inserting fine needles at specific points. This therapy helps manage pain by stimulating pressure points that have an analgesic effect. Find a licensed professional who already has experience in hernia treatment.
Acupuncture can relieve pain, but you should always see a doctor to treat the actual hernia
Step 6. Go to the doctor right away in case of severe pain
If you are concerned about having a hernia, feel an abnormal mass in the abdomen or groin, or suffer from excessive stomach acid or heartburn, make an appointment at your doctor's office. In most cases, a diagnosis is made through the history and physical examination; if you have already gone to the doctor, but your symptoms have not improved after a few weeks, call him for another visit.
If you experience abnormal pain with your diagnosed hernia - be it abdominal, groin, or femoral - call your doctor right away or go to the emergency room right away, as it could be an emergency
Step 7. Undergo surgery
While it is possible to manage suffering at home, you certainly cannot cure a hernia. Discuss surgical solutions with your doctor; he may recommend a procedure during which the surgeon returns the protruding structure to its natural location. Alternatively, a less invasive surgery can be performed with small incisions to repair the hernia and hold it with a synthetic mesh.
If the bump doesn't bother you often and your doctor thinks it's quite small, the surgical procedure may not even be considered
Part 2 of 3: Making Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Eat small meals
If you suffer from heartburn from a hiatal hernia, avoid putting too much pressure on the digestive system and eat small portions with each meal to do so. You should also eat slowly so that your stomach can digest easier and faster. These simple measures also reduce the pressure to which the lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle already weakened by the presence of the hernia, is subjected.
- Don't eat 2-3 hours before bedtime; in this way, food does not press on the stomach muscles as you try to fall asleep.
- You should also change your diet to reduce excessive stomach acid production. Avoid high-fat foods, chocolate, mint, alcohol, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.
Step 2. Eliminate pressure on the abdominal region
Wear loose clothing that doesn't tighten your stomach and tummy. Do not wear tight-fitting clothes or belts, instead opt for loose shirts and t-shirts in the waist area; if you decide to use a belt, adjust it so that it does not over-tighten.
When the abdominal area is subjected to constriction, recurrent hernias can form and hyperacidity worsens; the acidic contents of the stomach can also travel up the esophagus
Step 3. Get slim
If you are overweight, you put pressure on your abdominal muscles and stomach, thereby increasing the risk of a hernia. this situation can also trigger acid reflux and excessive gastric acidity.
Try to lose weight slowly. Aim not to lose more than 0.5-1 kg per week; discuss a food and physical activity plan with your doctor
Step 4. Train the important muscles
Since you can't lift weights or get fatigued, try to do exercises that strengthen and support the muscles. Lie on your back and try one of the following stretches:
- Raise your knees so that your legs are slightly bent. Put a pillow between your lower limbs and try to squeeze it with your thigh muscles; relax and repeat the exercise 10 times.
- Keep your hands at your sides and lift your knees by moving your legs as if pedaling in the air; continue in this way until you experience abdominal fatigue.
- Raise your legs by bending your knees slightly. Put your hands behind your head and bend your torso to about 30 °; the chest should be near the knees. Maintain the position and slowly return to a lying position; you can perform 15 repetitions.
Step 5. Stop smoking
If you suffer from acid reflux, you should stop this habit. smoking increases stomach acid production, making the situation worse. Also, if you plan to have surgery to correct the hernia, your doctor will likely advise you to stay away from tobacco in the months leading up to the operation.
Smoking interferes with the postoperative healing process and increases blood pressure during surgery, not to mention that it also increases the chances of recurrence and infections
Part 3 of 3: Herbal Remedies
Step 1. Use the common shepherd's purse
This plant (which is considered a weed) is traditionally used to relieve pain and swelling. Apply the essential oil on the suffering area; alternatively, you can purchase supplements to take orally. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding dosage.
Studies have shown that it is a plant with anti-inflammatory properties and also appears to prevent infections
Step 2. Drink herbal tea
If you experience nausea, vomiting, and gastric reflux from a hernia, try a ginger tea. This root fights inflammation and soothes the stomach. Infuse a tea bag or 5 g of fresh root; if you have decided on the root, boil it in water for 5 minutes. This drink is particularly useful when taken half an hour before a meal and is also safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Consider sipping fennel tea to stabilize your stomach and reduce stomach acid. Chop a teaspoon of fennel seeds and steep them in a cup of boiling water for five minutes; drink two or three cups a day.
- Alternatively, you can drink chamomile, mustard powder or the actual sauce dissolved in water. All of these remedies are anti-inflammatory and calm the stomach by reducing acid secretion.
Step 3. Take the licorice root
Get deglycyrrhizinated chewable tablet, which has been shown to soothe the stomach and control excessive acidity. Also in this case, read and scrupulously respect the instructions given in the leaflet; generally, 2-3 tablets should be taken every 4-6 hours.
- Know that licorice can cause a potassium deficiency, which in turn triggers arrhythmias; if you have decided to take it in large quantities or for more than two weeks, talk to your doctor.
- The red elm is another herbal remedy that can be taken as an herbal tea or in tablets; it coats and soothes irritated mucous membranes and is also suitable during pregnancy.
Step 4. Drink apple cider vinegar
If you suffer from severe acid reflux, you can give this substance a try. Some believe that the presence of one acid in the stomach causes the body not to produce another thanks to a mechanism called retroactive enzyme inhibition from the final product; however, further studies are needed. Mix 15ml of organic apple cider vinegar with 180ml of water and drink the mixture; if you wish, you can add a little honey to improve the flavor.
Alternatively, use lemon or lime juice. Mix a few teaspoons of pure juice with water according to your preferences; again, you can enhance the flavor of the drink with a little honey. Sip "lemonade" before, during and after meals
Step 5. Drink aloe vera juice
Choose the one of organic production (not the gel) and take 120 ml; you can sip it throughout the day, but do not exceed 250-500 ml per day, because it has laxative power.
