What are Recurrent Hernias?
What causes recurrent hernias?
Recurrent hernias occur most commonly when hernia surgery fails, and the hernia reappears.
However recurrent hernias can also be caused when the patient returns to strenuous activity too soon, recovery is one of the most important steps in dealing with and healing hernias. Steroid use can also exasperate hernias and interfere with the healing process, as well as smoking and obesity.
How to know if you are having recurrent hernias, not just multiple hernias:
It is possible to have multiple unconnected hernias at any time, so how do you know if you are dealing with recurrent hernias or simply multiple? If the newest hernia is on or close to the site of original hernia and surgery it is possible you have a recurrent hernia, if this is the case you should seek a professional opinion as soon as you can. Recurrent hernias bring with them a higher risk of infection around the site.
Having multiple unconnected hernias is still dangerous to your health and you should, if you suspect you have multiple hernias, seek a professional opinion in order to get treatment for your hernias.
What to do if you have a recurrent hernia?
If you are struggling with a recurrent hernia you should go see your doctor. When dealing with a recurrent hernia you can expect to receive some form of imaging test, an MRI, CT scan, or an ultrasound to fully understand what is causing your recurrent hernia. Unfortunately there is no non-surgical option for dealing with a recurrent hernia as most often they are the result of a failed healing process. However after the surgery to correct your recurrent hernia there are steps you can take to help keep you in good shape and prevent further hernias.
Ways to prevent recurrent hernias:
- Improve your health by taking up light exercises, such as yoga, pilates, light weights, or an aerobic activity, such as swimming or running.
- Improving your gut health through diet, specifically eating fiber-rich foods like; green veg, fruits, nuts and seeds, and whole grain options of breads and pastas.
- A high fiber diet will help keep your bowel movements regular and healthy.
- Quit smoking, we all know smoking is bad for our health but did you know quitting may be what your body needs to stop that progressing hernia?
- Treating any other issues, older men more than any other group will avoid the doctor and having what seem like small problems dealt with, but maintaining the rest of your body will also have a positive impact on your gut health. For example if you have an untreated inflamed prostate this can cause a chain reaction resulting in painful, possibly life threatening hernias.
What to do if you think you have a recurrent hernia?
Now that you know some of the basics about recurrent hernias, if you still think you have one you should contact our team immediately. One of the biggest problems with recurrent hernias is that with each surgery the likely hood of a successful healing goes down, so its really important that with a recurrent hernia you have a hernia expert on your side to help you every step of the way.
Posted in: News on January 20, 2021.