Obesity and Hernias: How to Reduce Your Likelihood of Developing a Hernia

Obesity and hernias have a strong connection because when people are carrying extra weight their muscles are often unable to handle this extra weight.

This could lead to the development of a hernia.

Being overweight or obese increases your chances for developing a hiatal hernia.

This type of hernia, also known as a diaphragmatic hernia, forms at the opening (hiatus) in your diaphragm where your food pipe (esophagus) joins your stomach.

When the muscles in this area become weak, the upper portion of your stomach may protrude through your diaphragm into your chest cavity.

People who carry extra weight are more likely to experience the muscle weakening that results in a hiatal hernia – demonstrating the relationship between obesity and hernias.

Many people with hiatal hernias experience no signs or symptoms.

If the hernia becomes larger, however, food and acid may back up into the esophagus causing:

• Heartburn and
• Chest pain.

While over the counter and prescription medication may relieve this discomfort, especially large hernias require surgical treatment.

An inguinal hernia, also common, is a bulge of soft tissue through a weak spot in the abdominal wall in the groin area.

Inguinal hernias can occur in one or both sides of the groin at the same time or at different times.

If you experience this type of hernia your doctor will most likely recommend surgery to repair it to eliminate the chance of severe intestinal problems.

(In some cases the intestine is protruding and it can become strangled and that section of tissue can die.)

Because each year many people experience hernias and hundreds of thousands of surgeries are performed to repair them, you should be aware of the connection between obesity and hernias.

Once aware, you can watch for the signs and symptoms of a hernia.

Overcoming obesity can eliminate your connection between obesity and hernias, making you less at risk.

The primary way to overcome obesity is to make necessary lifestyle changes.

This includes:

• Eliminating high calorie and high fat foods from your diet.
• Replacing them with healthier low fat, low calorie alternatives.

The second lifestyle step to be made in overcoming obesity is to increase your fitness level.

Adding a little bit more action to each day can get you on the right path in no time.

• Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Park toward the back of the parking lot.
• If you eat something bad for you, or miss a day of exercise, don’t give up. Instead pick up right where you left off.
• See if there is a weight loss support group in your area. Teaming up with others can keep you motivated.
• Visit a park in your city, county or state that you haven’t been to.
• Become active with fundraising walks, you get exercise and some worthy causes get funding.
• Some fitness centers and gyms have incentive programs geared toward keeping people motivated to lose weight; see if your gym has anything like that available.
• Incorporate a proven, complete nutritional program into your daily life.
• Enhance your nutritional program with a complete mutivitamin supplement because no nutritional program is perfect.
• Use a behavior modification and motivational program that will help you stay on track with your nutritional plan.
• Exercise at home with your own:
  Treadmill

  Stairstepper

  Exercise bike

  Elliptical trainer

  Hand weights or

  An aerobic video.

• See what kinds of weight loss aids your health insurance covers such as:
  Hypnotism

  Gym membership discounts

  Nutritional counseling.

• Keep checking Overcome-Obesity-Today.com for inspiration and even more ideas on weight loss!

These simple changes will add up and increase your fitness level.

Obesity and hernias can be a thing of the past when you overcome your obesity.

We’re here to help you.

So, go ahead.

Begin your journey to lose weight starting right now.