Does a hernia cause diarrhea?

If you’re reading this, chances are you have either suffered from diarrhea or heard somebody complaining about it. It’s one of those things that everybody deals with eventually – like taxes or that annoying coworker who always tries to make small talk in the elevator. But what does a hernia have to do with all of this? Can these two conditions really be related? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at whether having a hernia can lead to diarrhea.

What is a Hernia?

Before we dive into the relationship between hernias and diarrhea, let’s first define what exactly a hernia is. Essentially, it occurs when an internal organ (usually part of the intestine) pushes through an opening or weak spot in the surrounding muscle tissue. This causes visible bulging under your skin and can sometimes cause localized pain or discomfort.

There are different types of hernias based on where they occur in your body:

  • Inguinal: Groin area
  • Hiatal: Upper stomach/diaphragm
  • Umbilical: Belly button/navel
  • Incisional/Ventral: Around surgical incisions

Regardless of where they appear though, most people will experience some symptoms such as swelling/pressure near the affected area and pain/discomfort especially while bending over/coughing/lifting something heavy.

Explaining Diarrhea

Now that we’ve reviewed what hernias are briefly let’s focus our attention towards explaining diarrhea which in turn will help us understand its relation to herniated patients.

Diarrhea typically refers to passing more frequent stools which are loose/watery than usual. Under normal circumstances solid wastes pass through colon for absorption purposes while travelling along gastrointestinal tract forming stool till anus but if there isn’t enough time for water absorbed by colon before expulsion causing lose watery stools resulting i.e., diarrhea. Diarrhea may also be accompanied by stomach cramps, nausea and dehydration.

Causes of Diarrhea

There are a wide variety of factors that can cause diarrhea. Some common ‘culprits’ include:

  • Inflammation/Damage: Infections/ inflammatory bowel disease/viral gastroenteritis
  • Malabsorption Issues: Consuming triggering foods or having celiac diseases/pre-existing metabolic disorders e.g lactose intolerant,crohn’s etc.
  • Changes to Normal Intestinal Flora: Caused due long-term antibiotic medication, radiation therapy targeting abdominal area,resulting in IBS like symptoms on withdrawal.
  • Various Medications : Such drugs as antibiotics, acid reducers ,chemotherapy agents prescribed in treating various ailments tend to bring about the onset of diarrhoea.

Along with these reasons gastrointestinal tumours/disease and even our emotions/stress levels may trigger an episode .

Looking at the list it doesn’t mention hernias does it? So why do some people experience diarrhea when they have a hernia?

The Relationship between Hernias & Diarrhea

So far we’ve covered what hernias and diarrheas are individually along-with their most prevalent causes. However talking about how they’re related is where things get interesting /complicated (better sense?). There isn’t necessarily one single answer that applies across all cases so let us delve into different possibilities :

Possibility 1: Direct Irritation

Hernias occur when internal organ parts bulge through muscle/tissue causing swelling/ pressure which could inadvertently lead to intestinal blockage .Digestive issues such as constipation,Bloating/Swelling resulting from this obstruction could aggrevate intestines causing frequent stools combined with urge to pass them quickly i.e “diarrheal” tendencies.. Further more during exercise/physical activity,vigorous,movement might bring out additional stresses disrupt normal absorptive process contributing to the onset of bowels.

Possibility 2: Indirect Medications

As explained earlier, it is also plausible that hernia patients may have to undergo potent medications which could bring about diarrheal tendencies.Random consumption of antibiotic aimed at treating unrelated illnesses may trigger unbalance in gut flora promoting fast passage bowel movement. Hence Herniated individuals dealing with medical issues requiring medication need to consider all potential side-effects prior initiating drug intake.Regular consultation and a prescription from licensed physician will keep things well under control.

Possibilty 3: Similar sources/ causes

It might not be uncommon for some pre-deceased symptoms looking innocuous beforehand ,then begin manifesting themselves kicking into high gear post herniation stage coupled with abdominal inflammatory diseases(newfound or even relapsed)leading to subsequent loose stools.Directly related irregularity such as lactose intolerant,gluten sensitive can lead recurring episodes amongst such individuals.

Treatment Options

For those who are suffering diarrhea due to their hernia , one first needs correct diagnosis, clearing out other possible underlying health conditions/stress or dietary triggers contributing in vitro irritants utilizing treatment regimens consisting varying diets/medications as prescribed by medical practitioner.Value self-care practices like rest and hydration cannot be overemphasized here.

If its established that your hernis bouts link specifically stress induced anxiety even after healing process then pursuing stress management through therapy,maintaining work/life balance while cutting back on caffeine/alcohol/smoking should be incorporated . Surgery remains viable option if no relief is felt from non-invasive treatments .

So there you have it – while having a hernia doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll experience diarrhea – their relations hints towards probable outcomes indicating discomforts during digestion processes within affected areas such boowel disturbances,constipation,bloating. By understanding any potential connections between them along-with managing both separately better odds of relief without unnecessary interplay.

Conclusion

The answer folks still remains…grey at best! Possibilities could vary due to different individuals genetics, lifestyles or environment meaning effects of hernia/diarrhea on each person would differ. Regardless causes exist out there ,many preventive steps/corrective actions will reduce the extent of adversity/ discomfort stemming from these ailments.

So do you have any additional questions that may have not been answered by this article? Let us know in the comments below!

Post has been solely for informational purposes only and isn’t intended to be a professional opinion nor providing applicable solutions to medical condition as everyone is unique with varying cases .It is urged strongly consult licensed health expert regarding medical concerns.Appropriate warning measures aren’t meant to treat/recommend cures.

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