Ways To Treat A Hernia

Maintain A Healthy Weight

Being overweight or obese can weaken the abdominal wall and make the development of a hernia in this area more likely. Gaining weight causes any existing hernias to grow in size, and excess weight can increase the risk of complications if hernia repair operations are needed. Most doctors use body mass index (BMI), a ratio that considers weight in relation to height, to determine whether a patient is at a healthy weight. A body mass index lower than twenty-five is regarded as a healthy weight. An individual is considered overweight if they have a body mass index between twenty-five and thirty. A body mass index of thirty or more is considered obese, and thirty-five or more is considered morbidly obese.

To maintain a healthy weight, patients can adopt healthy lifestyle habits such as eating more fruits and vegetables, reducing salt and saturated fat, and limiting processed and fast food. Patients who need help with planning a healthy diet can receive nutrition counseling. Regular physical activity can assist with weight loss as well. Hernia patients should check with their doctors about which exercises are safe for them to do since some fitness routines may place too much strain on the abdomen. Medicines and surgical procedures may be worthwhile for patients who struggle to maintain a healthy weight with lifestyle modifications.

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Avoid Foods That Trigger Heartburn Or Acid Reflux

Acid reflux and heartburn can negatively affect the lives of many hernia patients. For these patients, special diets can help them avoid foods that trigger heartburn or acid reflux. Studies have found certain foods double or triple an individual's risk of experiencing these painful symptoms. Peppermint tea, alcohol, citrus fruit (both juices and whole fruit), red meat, chocolate, caffeine, carbonated drinks, coffee, and tomatoes are all common triggers of heartburn patients may wish to avoid. To reduce heartburn episodes, patients can adopt a diet that includes low-fat dairy, vegetables, whole grains, and oats. Patients may wish to keep a food and symptom diary, writing down what they eat and any symptoms they experience after meals to discover which foods are most triggering for them.

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