New York City Holistic Doctor Offers Lifestyle Strategies for Alleviating Hernias
?Be careful how you lift that, or you?ll give yourself a hernia!? How often have we heard that advice from our moms as we were growing up, or from well-meaning spouses or employers in our adult years? Regardless of where we heard it, that particular piece of wisdom still rings true today. Lifting heavy objects, as well as a myriad of other lifestyle habits, can trigger a variety of hernias.
What exactly is a hernia? A hernia occurs when an organ or fatty tissue pushes through an opening or weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue. While they appear primarily in the abdomen, they can also be experienced in the upper thigh, belly button and groin areas. They?re not always life threatening, but they don?t go away on their own either, and may require surgical intervention to prevent further complications.
The type of hernia depends upon the particular organ and circumstances involved. The most common, comprising 70 percent of all hernias according to the British Hernia Centre, are inguinal hernias. More prevalent in men than women, inguinal hernias are caused when the intestine or bladder protrudes through the abdominal wall, often in the inguinal canal located in the groin.
Occurring mostly in patients over 50 years old, hiatal hernias take place when the upper stomach pushes through the hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm, into the chest. It is typically accompanied by gastroesophageal reflux, precipitated by stomach contents leaching uncomfortably backward into the esophagus. Yet another common type of hernia is the incisional hernia, where the intestine pushes through the abdominal wall at a spot where abdominal surgery was previously performed. This condition can be exacerbated among elderly or overweight people who are inactive post-surgery.
What can trigger hernias? Turns out plenty. We attribute weakened muscles and connective tissue to a decline in growth hormone and testosterone, as well as a lack of amino acids and vital nutrients such as zinc and vitamin C. Obesity can be a culprit because it increases intraabdominal pressure, as can inadequate water consumption, diet, stress, smoking, and, you guessed it, lifting heavy objects without first stabilizing stomach muscles. All these risk factors contribute to weakened muscles and/or added pressure in the abdomen, increasing the likelihood of a hernia.
Based on years of advocating a whole-body approach to good, responsible medicine, we might have tangible strategies for preventing hernias that can be incorporated into even the busiest of lifestyles. We recommend maintaining a healthy weight by minimizing or eliminating dairy products, beans and carbohydrates like rice, potatoes and simple sugars, and also avoiding acid reflux- and heartburn-inducing spicy foods and tomato-based foods. Consuming enough protein, vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc is not only advisable from a nutritional standpoint, but the latter has the added bonus of boosting testosterone levels. We also suggest minimizing stress and maximizing quality sleep to give our body the time it needs to repair itself.
For more information on mitigating the occurrence of hernias from a holistic medical perspective, schedule a consultation at one of my conveniently located offices in Brooklyn (718-382-9200) or Great Neck (516-467-0253.)
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-hernia-basics