Can hernia be cured by medicine?

If you are reading this, chances are you or someone you know is experiencing the not-so-fun side effects of a hernia. It’s okay, we’ve all been there. The good news is that modern medicine has come a long way and there are quite a few potential treatments available to help relieve symptoms.

What is a Hernia?

Before jumping into how medicine can potentially cure a hernia, let’s first go over what exactly it is. A hernia occurs when an organ protrudes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. This can happen in multiple parts of the body but most commonly refers to when part of the intestine pokes through the abdominal wall.

There are many different types of hernias such as incisional, femoral, umbilical…the list goes on! But one thing they all have in common is that they cause discomfort and pain for those affected.

Initial Steps

If you suspect that you may have developed a hernia (and even if it hasn’t been officially diagnosed), these initial steps should always be taken:

  • Consult with your doctor
  • Not sure who to see? Start with your primary care physician who can refer you to specialists if needed.

  • Make some lifestyle changes

  • Depending on where your hernia developed, certain actions like lifting heavy weights could make things worse (or even cause further damage). Discussing activity restrictions with your doctor will allow for better healing

But let’s get back on track here: Can medications actually cure a hernia once it has developed?

Medications

After scouring multiple sources including scientific journals and online forums filled with self-proclaimed ‘health experts’, I’m going to give my best answer: maybe(?).

While surgery tends to be traditional method preferred by doctors due its high success rate, there are a few potential medications that can potentially help relieve some symptoms:

  • PPI’s (Proton Pump Inhibitors)
  • These medications are typically used to treat acid reflux but can also help reduce inflammation in the stomach lining. This reduction of swelling might provide relief for those experiencing hernia symptoms.

  • Antacids

  • Designed to neutralize stomach acids, antacids have been shown to be effective at treating heartburn and indigestion which can be related symptoms from a hernia.

I’m sorry, did you think I was about have an extensive list? Unfortunately, those two medications were really all I could find in my research.

Other Potential Treatments

Okay so maybe medicine isn’t the most promising route when it comes to curing hernias. So what else is out there?

As mentioned earlier, surgery tends to be the go-to option for most doctors especially if your hernia is causing discomfort or pain on a daily basis.
Here are some other alternative/non-medical routes some people swear by:

  • Wear a truss
  • A truss is essentially a supportive belt worn tight around area where the hernia is developing
  • It doesn’t cure the issue completely but definitely helps alleviate pain/discomfort while going about your day

  • Alter diet / exercise routines

  • Dietary changes such as avoiding carbonated beverages or fatty foods may not “cure” one’s condition but alleviates associated gastrointestinal issues thus making someone feel better overall
  • Gentle exercises like walking/swimming/yoga will strengthen abdominal regions and make them more resilient towards further future development.

Of course this should always involve consulting with doctor before taking any drastic measures!

When Medications Help Best

While we’ve already established that medication alone probably won’t fix your hernia entirely…sometimes it’s just another avenue worth exploring.

If you are someone with a “mild” instance of a hernia (i.e. not particularly uncomfortable, hasn’t developed too far…things of that nature), then there’s potential to use medications as less invasive approach.

Another great aspect is if you’re recovering from surgery used specifically for your hernia treatment! Surgical recovery periods vary, but PPI’s or Anti-inflammatories might be prescribed in conjunction to make the recovery process easier and smoother on the person which we can always appreciate.

Wrap Up

In conclusion while medicine alone may not cure one’s full-blown hernia it still has its advantages in both relief/preparation and aftercare along with other non-medical treatments like truss wearing and lifestyle changes. Hernias aren’t fun by any means, so finding management measures that work for you will importance equaling those aforementioned points mentioned before-contacting your doctor ASAP to identify them.

Are any remedies/tricks/treatments missing? Unconventional methods/lawsuit scams that have worked wonders? Please do share down below!

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