You had a hernia that needed to be resolved surgically, and you’re pleased to put that whole experience in the rearview mirror. Unfortunately, one study found that about one in six adults in the United States underwent hernia surgery within 10 years of the first.
Whether or not our skilled team at Rockwall Surgical Specialists performed your first hernia surgery, we’re using this month’s blog post to share some smart strategies to prevent a hernia recurrence.
One of the most important steps you can take is to achieve and maintain a healthy weight — because carrying extra pounds is one of the primary risk factors for hernias of all kinds. If you consider that slightly more than 40% of adults in the US tip the scales into obesity, there are millions of people whose risks for hernia are higher.
If your weight is on the high side, we recommend getting it to a healthier range to prevent your hernia from re-emerging.
Another issue that can lead to hernias are chronic coughs. If you have allergies or a lung condition, it’s better for your body to do what you can to minimize coughing.
A great way to reduce coughing is to not smoke or vape. Not only does smoking lead to coughing, it negatively affects your health in almost every way, including interfering with healing and weakening tissues. If you've already undergone hernia surgery and you smoke, use preventing hernia recurrence as your reason to quit.
Another stressor that can lead to hernias and recurrent hernias is chronic constipation. Get some more fiber into your diet and move around to get your bowels working better.
Lifting heavy objects is a fast track to abdominal strain and hernias, so make sure you’re lifting properly. This means using your knees and legs more than your core. In other words, squat down to pick something up instead of bending over at the waist.
If you’re doing some heavy lifting or you just want a little extra support for your core, a hernia belt can be beneficial.
Even better than a hernia belt is focusing on strengthening your core muscles. This means the muscles in your back, abdominal area, and pelvis (your pelvic floor). To get you started, this link includes a wide range of core exercises.
Not only does strengthening your core muscles go a long way toward preventing another hernia, it can greatly benefit your entire musculoskeletal health.
With a little extra effort and vigilance after your hernia surgery, you can reduce your chances of coming to see us again for another hernia repair.
If you have more questions about preventing re-emerging hernias after your initial repair, we’re happy to help. Simply call or connect with us online to schedule an appointment at one of our offices in Rockwall, Rowlett, Greenville, Terrell, or Forney, Texas.
