A hernia occurs when a layer of muscle in your abdomen becomes weak and a section of your intestine, or other tissue, pushes through it. The intestine usually pushes towards your outer body creating what’s known as an external hernia.
Hernias are painful and limit physical activity. They often require surgery. It is for these reasons that you will want to do everything you can to keep one from occurring.
A healthy, high fiber diet and the right amount of exercise can treat inguinal hernias. These are the most common type of hernias and are so called because they occur at the inguinal canal.
Read on to find out what you can be doing to prevent inguinal hernias.
Why a High Fiber Diet Can Help?
A high fiber diet plays a key role in hernia prevention. It works to keep body weight down and it prevents constipation.
People that are obese are more likely to get a hernia. The extra weight puts pressure on the abdominal area increasing hernia risk.
Fiber is beneficial to weight loss because it makes you feel fuller longer as compared to other types of food. Therefore, it helps you cut back on unhealthy snacking.
Fiber also prevents constipation. It supports regular bowel movements that cause straining that makes hernias more likely to occur. Staying well hydrated can cut down on constipation as well.
Exercise Helps Too
Exercise is also helpful in reducing the risk of a hernia. It keeps weight down and the activity supports regular bowel movements.
However, certain types of exercise can put strain on the area making hernias more likely to occur. Jumping, exercise and fast movements put pressure on the abdominal wall and can lead to muscle tearing.
Other Prevention Tips
Here are some other hernia prevention tips:
· If you have to lift a heavy object, put most of the weight on your legs and not your torso.
· Don’t smoke. Smoking makes you cough which can increase the risk of hernia.
· If you have a bad cough, see the doctor. The doctor may give you medication to soothe the cough so it doesn’t put pressure on hernia prone areas.
How to Get More Fiber in Your Diet
There are plenty of foods with a high fiber content including:
· Vegetables
· Fruit
· Whole grains
· Legumes
· Nuts and seeds
But if you eat on the go often, it may be easier for you to take your fiber in supplemental form. That’s where Utzy Naturals Fiber Food Drink Mix comes in handy.
Utzy is a provider of nutritional supplements designed to promote optimal health. Their Fiber Food Drink Mix can be mixed into smoothies and other beverages or enjoyed on its own, so you can get a dose of fiber when it’s convenient for you. It contains prunes and figs that promote digestive regularity, and soluble and insoluble fibers to support microflora balance. It comes in a great tasting apple cinnamon flavor.
If you are prone to hernias, you want to do all you can to keep your risk low. A healthy diet and the right amount of exercise will help prevent hernias, so you don’t have to deal with the pain. What do you do to keep your body strong and healthy?