Not many people talk about hernias even if they have or have had one, or have needed surgery to repair one. Besides, most folks who have had hernias haven’t needed surgery, so for them it’s no big deal. It’s not a common topic of discussion around the proverbial water cooler or during the holidays when folks gather for cheer but steer away from sensitive health-topic discussions, like hernias.
Many people – reportedly between a third and half of us – end up encountering a hernia at some point in their life, and not necessarily at an older age. Even young infants get hernias – some are even born with them. The writer of this blog needed emergency hernia surgery when I was less than a year old. I still have the scars from the stitches needed to close the affected areas on the right side of my groin area to prove it. Frankly, I don’t remember any of it, so there’s not much else to say.
What Are Hernias?
Not all hernias are the same. There are two major classifications of hernias – hernia and hiatal hernia – and each one has its own subsets of hernias. What we know generally as just a “hernia” usually occurs at or below the abdomen, in and around the belly button or groin area. An organ or fatty tissue inside your body manages to push through a weak area in a surrounding muscle or fascia (connective tissue), creating a protrusion that is oftentimes visible as a bump beneath the skin.
About three out of every four such hernias are in the groin area and more common to males than females. Hernias are most often felt when standing, bending down, or coughing. Hiatal hernias form higher up in the body characterized by the upper part of the stomach squeezing up through an opening (the hiatus) in the diaphragm, which is a large sheetlike muscle separating the chest from the abdomen.
What Causes a Hernia?
That’s a good question because oftentimes the person affected has no clue that something is wrong until they suddenly discover something out of kilter – such as waking up one morning with a noticeable bulge near their abdomen or in the groin area that wasn’t there the day before. Or getting in or out of the car suddenly hurts for no reason, and they know it’s not a back problem. Contributing factors could be pressure on the abdomen or the diaphragm weakening as a person ages. Or maybe it’s that attempted lift of something very heavy such as one of those old big-box TVs from the 1990s or trying to dead lift a stacked barbell without the proper technique or support belt.
Symptoms beside the noticeable bulge or lump can include severe pain, continued growth, nausea or heartburn, trouble swallowing, constipation/bloating, or fever. That’s the time to go see your physician or other health-care professional immediately. Chances are they won’t rule surgery as necessary, but they might prescribe tweaks to your lifestyle, types of and limits to certain physical activities, changes to your diet (perhaps losing weight), and possibly a suggestion for natural remedies such as supplements, vitamins, and herbs.
Indeed, what’s known as “sliding hiatal hernias” are often linked to GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) which is quite treatable with such natural remedies. Note, however, even if you don’t need surgery in the short term, hernias tend to worsen over time to where you might need surgery sometime in the future.
6 Supplements/Nutrients to Help Mitigate Hernias
Aloe vera: The mere mention of “aloe vera” brings up visions of soothing comfort and healing, and for good reason. This popular plant can alleviate symptoms for individuals contending with a with hiatal hernia as it can help diminish inflammation and bolster the healing of irritated tissues in the digestive tract.
Apple cider vinegar: We’re hearing more and more about apple cider vinegar for its wide assortment of health benefits, including its potential to contain hiatal hernia symptoms. It is believed to help balance stomach acid levels, promote digestion, and reduce acid reflux, all of which have ties to hernias.
Ginger root: Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger is best known for tamping down nausea. Likewise, it can aid in the reduction of inflammation and soothe the digestive tract
Licorice root: Licorice root, formally known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), might help lessen the frequency and severity of GERD symptoms, often associated with hernias. It alleviates acid reflux by strengthening several enzymes associated with acid secretions in the stomach.
Melatonin: Melatonin is best known as the “sleep hormone,” but studies have indicated that melatonin used in conjunction with omeprazole can help treat GERD, often a symptom of a hiatic hernia.
Slippery Elm/Marshmallow root: These “companion” supplements both contain mucilage, a sticky substance that forms a gel-like mix that can help protect the esophagus and reduce irritation caused by stomach acid.
Hernias can sometimes be debilitating but most often not. They are typically associated with heavy lifting but can be caused by other factors. Various supplements/herbs, such as the seven mentioned here, can help make living with a hernia much less restrictive or uncomfortable. Be sure to first discuss your possible use of any of these with your physician or other healthcare provider.