Naturopathy

Causes and Symptoms:

Hernia means the protrusion of any organ, or part of an organ, into or through the well of the cavity which contains it. The most common form of hernia is the hernia of bowel, popularly known as rupture.Hernia may be caused due to a defect of injury of the abdominal wall or increase of pressure within the cavity. It may be caused by sudden exertion as during the lifting of a weight, but generally it develops gradually.

Pain may be experienced while coughing or straining at stool, but really acute pain is suffered when a hernia becomes strangulated as the result of stoppage of its circulation by the pressure of the opening through which it protrudes. It may become inflamed, turn acutely painful and may even produce peritonitis - inflammation of the membrane lining the abdominal cavity - and finally prove fatal. Stoppage of the bowels, onset of acute pain and vomiting are the ominous symptoms which herald strangulated hernia.

Treatment :

The best treatment according to naturopathy is exercise. The torn muscles, the site of the hernia could be helped regain their tone and strength by application of could compresses or application of bandages covered with soft clay. Compresses should be continued for half an hour at a time and should be applied twice or thrice in a day. Diet plays an important part in dealing with a hernia as it does in other diseases.

The patient should take light, bland food, comprising boiled vegetables and fruits in order to reduce the pressure on the intestine. Too much of weight of waste matter would merely burden in increasing the risk of worsening of the hernia.The truss can help during the treatment of the hernia. It comprises a pad which fits over the opening a spring to run round the pelvis and a strap to pass between the legs and prevent the truss from sliding upwards.

Special trusses can be made by firms manufacturing medical and surgical supplies according to the needs of individual patients. The patient must find the truss which suits her hernia. It should be worn constantly so that the hernia does not recur. The regimen suggested needs to be followed strictly to get relief.

Some Exercises:

The following exercises are suggested for hernia patients:

(i) Lie on a hard bed and ask somebody to hold your feet firmly or bind them with a strap passed round the end of the bed. Put your hands on your waste and raise your head about six inches. Turn left and then right and resume your former position.

(ii) Lie in the position indicated above and take your arms behind your neck. Now try to rise with your feet in the former position. See that you do not overstrain yourself.

(iii) Lie straight and fold your knees to touch your abdomen. Then straighten them slowly without touching the bed.

(iv) Hold the bed with your hands and raise your legs and try to touch your head with your feet.Raise your feet perpendicularly and then twist your legs, first to the right and then to the left. Turn more towards the direction opposite to the site of the hernia.