Monday, October 20, 2008

If You Lift ... Here's A Bulge You Can Do Without

Hernias are something you wish would just go away, like an unwanted house guest. If you are wondering what they are, you probably have never had one … and that’s a good thing!

The most common hernia among men happens when part of the intestine pushes through a naturally weakened spot in the groin called the inguinal canal. This canal is where the testicles descend into the scrotum before birth. It usually closes tightly afterward, but sometimes an open space remains.

The strain from continued coughing, lifting heavy objects, being obese or even straining during bowel movements can push the intestine against the inguinal area and result in a hernia.

If you notice a bulge in your groin, this is usually the first sign of trouble. It may appear suddenly or gradually and can extend into the scrotum. You may also have pain or pressure in the groin.

If you can push the bulge back inside your abdomen, it's called a reducible hernia. These hernias aren't immediately dangerous and can be treated temporarily by wearing a support belt, or truss and avoiding strenuous activity. But, you still should see your doctor. Trusses don't cure hernias, and hernias can increase in size.

A bulge you can't push back inside is called an irreducible, or incarcerated, hernia. A hernia like this can become strangulated, lose its blood supply, and require emergency surgery.

Inguinal hernias won't go away on their own, but most of the time a simple outpatient surgical procedure can fix them. A surgeon pushes the bulging intestine back into place and stitches the muscle back together. A synthetic mesh may be used to reinforce the muscular wall in the weak area.

Although you can't prevent the congenital defect that may lead to an inguinal hernia, taking these steps may reduce your risk of having a hernia or a recurrence.

Here are some area’s to concentrate on:

Keep your abdominal muscles strong with moderate exercise.

Try to avoid straining when lifting heavy objects. If you are a lifter, get a spotter, and always use proper lifting
Techniques. If you are working, let your leg muscles do the work and keep the load close to your body.

Maintain a healthy weight, or lose it, if you need to.

Eat high-fiber foods to avoid constipation.

Stop smoking, if you smoke. It can cause coughing. If you cough it increases the risk of having a hernia.

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