A hernia occurs when part of an organ pushes through a tear or weak spot in the muscle wall that holds the internal organs of the abdomen in place. It often leads to extreme discomfort.
Causes
Some people have predisposed weak spots in their abdomen due to genetics, scarring, or the incomplete development of muscle around the belly button.
Symptoms
In children, a non-painful bump may appear in the abdominal region. In adults, a protrusion in the abdomen is usually accompanied by intense pain.
Treatment
In most cases, a hernia will heal on its own---if it is given ample time to recover without being strained.
Rest
The less strain you place on a hernia, the faster it is likely to recover. Considering this, most doctors claim the best medicine to be rest. If this doesn't work, surgery to repair the hernia will be necessary.
Equipment
Trusses or surgical belts may be worn to help keep the protrusion in place while healing proceeds.
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