Can a hernia cause constipation?

If you’re like most people, the thought of a hernia isn’t exactly the stuff of jokes. But hear me out for just a minute here – because if there’s one thing that everyone can agree on, it’s that poop is funny.

So can a hernia cause constipation? Well, my friend, let’s dive deep into the world of gut health and find out!

What is a Hernia?

First things first: what even is a hernia? Essentially, it occurs when an internal organ (such as your intestines) push through the muscles that are meant to contain them.

There are several types of hernias, including inguinal (in your groin area), umbilical (at your belly button), and hiatal (at the top of your stomach). They can be caused by heavy lifting or straining during bowel movements (hint hint), obesity or pregnancy, chronic coughing or sneezing (sorry-not-sorry, allergies), or even simply aging.

The Digestive System

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves with all this medical terminology mash-up here (see what I did there?), let’s take a quick refresher course on how our digestive system actually works.

When we eat food (an exciting prospect), it enters our mouth and travels down our esophagus before landing in our stomachs. There, gastric juices break down the food into smaller components before they enter our small intestine. Nutrients from those components are absorbed through tiny finger-like projections called villi.

The remaining waste then moves on to our large intestine (aka colon). Here’s where water gets reabsorbed back into our body to form solid stool before exiting via – well..you know what!

How Constipation Happens

Constipation happens when stool becomes dry and hard instead of the regular poop we all know and love (right guys?). There are several reasons why this might happen – such as lack of fiber, dehydration, or certain medications.

But in some cases (like our current concern with hernias), it’s because something is physically blocking the path. This can be due to a buildup of stool itself, or because an internal structure (such as your intestines) is pushing against something else.

So Can a Hernia Cause Constipation?

OK (let’s get serious for just one paragraph here) – so back to our original question: can a hernia cause constipation? The answer is…maybe.

It depends on where exactly the hernia is located and how severe it is. If it’s causing complete blockage of your intestinal tract then pooping may no longer be possible (sad face emoji).

However, if it’s only mildly obstructing things you may still be able to go…just not very effectively shall we say (winky-face emoji)! Either way though, if you suspect that a hernia might be contributing to your poop problems then definitely talk to your doctor ASAP.

Signs & Symptoms of Hernias

So what should you look out for if you’re concerned about having a possible hernia in cahoots with your constipation issues? Here are some potential signs:

• Feeling pressure or pain when lifting heavy objects
• A visible bulge under the skin
• Pain during bowel movements
• Nausea or vomiting
• Heartburn or indigestion

If any of these sound familiar then don’t ignore ’em – schedule yourself an appointment pronto!

Treatment Options

OK (phew time for another joke!), let’s lighten things up again by talking about treatment options for debilitating bowel blockages…

In most cases involving mild-to-moderate symptoms from a hernia, doctors will likely suggest “watchful waiting” (oooooh how suspenseful!) along with some lifestyle tweaks. This might include:

• Eating smaller meals
• Avoiding heavy lifting or straining
• Adding more fiber to your diet
• Drinking more water

If it’s a particularly stubborn hernia causing severe blockage though, then surgery may be necessary. Don’t worry, it’s usually a pretty straightforward procedure and you’ll be back to regular poops in no time!

Prevention Tips

As the old saying goes: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (or if that doesn’t fly, maybe think about how much easier it is to poop on planes than anywhere else!).

Anyhoo – here are some tips for preventing hernias from popping up in the first place:

• Maintain a healthy weight range
• Engage in low impact exercises regularly
• Increase intake of high-fiber foods like veggies & fruits (eat ya greens!)
• Practice good bowel habits which include having regular bowel movements and avoiding constipation.

Easy enough right?

Final Thoughts

So there you have it folks – all the dirty details on whether or not hernias can cause constipation (I really hope this was helpful information…but also made you laugh at least once or twice!). Remember that while concerns over your gut health are nothing to joke around about (well..mostly), taking action as soon as possible can help ensure things come out ok (OK I couldn’t resist ONE more pun!). Good luck out there guys — stay regular & happy pooping!