Introduction

Are you feeling a bulge in your groin? Does it hurt when you stand, bend, or sneeze? It could be due to an inguinal or femoral hernia.

A hernia is a condition where an organ or part of an organ protrudes through an abnormal opening in the abdominal cavity. The prime cause is weak abdominal muscles, which are congenital or acquired.

Surgery is the most prominent mode of treatment for hernia. Severe cases of hernia with strangulation require surgery, but uncomplicated hernias can be treated with homeopathy. Several homeopathic medicines for hernia can effectively treat it without any side effects.

Role of homeopathic medicine in hernia treatment

Surgical intervention is only recommended for hernias that cause pain or discomfort. Small or non-complicated hernias can be treated with homeopathy.

In homeopathy, every disease, including hernia, is treated holistically. All the symptoms, including physical, mental, and emotional, are considered before prescribing a homeopathic remedy.

Thus, one medicine cannot treat all cases of hernia. Among the several indicated medicines, one similimum is selected based on your constitution.

Top six homeopathic medicines for hernia treatment

Here are the top six effective homeopathic medicines that can relieve you of hernia symptoms.

Nux vomica (Nux-v.)

Common name: Poison nut

Nux vomica is a homeopathic remedy that is indicated for femoral, inguinal, or umbilical hernia. This remedy helps patients with a hernia whose abdominal muscles are weakened due to chronic constipation.

Nux vomica is indicated in people who complain of a constant urge to pass stool but pass scanty unsatisfactory stools. It works well in people with weakness in the abdominal ring region. Often this forces the contents of the abdomen towards the genitals. Nux vomica is the best homeopathic remedy for strangulated hernia and umbilical hernia in infants.

Calcarea carbonica (Calc.)

Common name: Carbonate of like

Calcarea carbonica is one of the very good homeopathic medicines for hernia in obese people. This medication is prescribed to obese individuals with weak abdominal muscles. It helps treat hernia, where tissues protrude due to excessive abdomen fat. An umbilical hernia in fat children who are late in learning to walk is treated with Calcarea carbonica.

Lycopodium clavatum (Lyc.)

Common name: Club moss

An excellent homeopathic medicine for abdominal hernia with weak digestion and excessive flatulence is Lycopodium clavatum. This homeopathic medicine also treats femoral and inguinal hernias. Lycopodium helps deal with shooting abdominal pain across the lower abdomen.

Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t)

Common name: Poison ivy

Rhus toxicodendron is an excellent homeopathic medicine for the treatment of acquired hernias. It is prescribed to people whose abdominal muscles weaken due to excessive straining. Often there is a history of lifting heavy weights that caused a hernia.

Rhus toxicodendron strengthens the abdominal muscles and prevents the organs from pushing through them. Thus this homeopathic remedy manages hernia by treating its root cause (weak muscles).

Silicea terra (Sil.)

Common name: Silica, Pure flint

This is a great homeopathic medication for hernia in those who have excessive offensive perspiration on their feet. It is indicated for inguinal hernia with swollen inguinal lymph nodes. Hernia of Silicea terra is due to chronic constipation, with a bloated abdomen.

It is prescribed for hernias that tend to suppurate. This is a medicine for umbilical hernia in obstinate and timid children.

Aurum metallicum (Aur.)

Common name: Metallic gold

Aurum metallicum is a homeopathic medicine used to treat inguinal and umbilical hernias in children. Often the protrusion and pain worsen when the child cries.

This is indicated when there is immense pain in the protruding inguinal hernia. Often hernia protrudes on the right side.

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Causes of hernia

A muscle or connective tissue weakness or preexisting opening allowing an organ to push through the barrier is the leading cause of the hernia. The cause for this weakness or opening includes

  • A weakness or opening present since birth or develops later in life.
  • A muscle weakness or opening brought on by surgery or a repetitive stress injury.
  • Years of stress or pressure can degrade the tissue.

The other causes of hernia include

  • A weakness or opening in the lower abdominal wall that allows abdominal tissues to pass through
  • A gap or weak region left after abdominal surgery
  • Coughing or sneezing that is persistent
  • Long-term straining to urinate or defecate 2
  • Regular strenuous physical activity or manual labor 3
  • Multiple pregnancies and childbearing years 4
  • Jobs where you need to stand for long periods
  • The internal strain brought on by persistent obesity 5
  • Normal tissue aging and deterioration

Symptoms of hernia

Symptoms of hernia differ in both inguinal and femoral hernia. Often you may not have any symptoms of inguinal hernias. However, you might see a tiny bulge while doing specific activities, like stooping, lifting, coughing, or leaning over.

Other symptoms of inguinal hernia include:

  • A bulge on one side of your groin
  • A sensation of weight or pressure in your groin
  • When a child cries, you might see a lump in the child’s groin that gradually increases in size.
  • Pain in the groin, especially when you bend, lift heavy weights, or cough
  • Pinching or burning sensation radiating down your leg or through your pelvis

Similar to inguinal hernia, even femoral hernias may not show any symptoms. However, in severe conditions, people often feel:

  • Abdominal pain that worsens while standing, lifting, or exertion
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • A lump in the upper inner thigh or groin may be the most apparent symptom

Hernia treatment

Most hernias need surgical intervention as they tend to get worse over time.

  • Hernia repair surgery

During the surgery, the doctor will push back the herniated tissue and fix the obstruction it breached with sutures or surgical mesh. 7

  • Laparoscopic surgery

A long, thin tube called a laparoscope with a lit camera on the end is used during this procedure. Long, thin surgical instruments are passed through a tiny hole that corrects the herniated tissue. 8

  • Robotic surgery

The surgeon uses robotic arms to operate the tools from a computer panel in these procedures. 9

Diet and lifestyle changes for hernia

Diet and lifestyle changes can play a supportive role in managing hernia symptoms. These changes can reduce the risk of hernia complications. The diet and lifestyle modifications include:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight, as excess weight, can strain the abdominal muscles and exacerbate hernias.
  • Consider adding fiber-rich foods to your diet to prevent constipation.
  • Stay hydrated so that you don’t have to strain while passing stools.
  • Avoid lifting heavy weights or strenuous activities.
  • Get treatment for chronic cough as it can increase intra-abdominal pressure and cause hernia.

Conclusion

Hernia is a condition where the contents of the abdomen push through the weak abdominal wall. All hernias do not need surgery. Opt for homeopathy for hernia treatment.

References

  1. Hammoud M, Gerken J. Inguinal Hernia. StatPearls Publishing;Available from:2023.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513332/
  2. Kartal A, Yalc?n M, Citgez B, Uzunkoy A. The effect of chronic constipation on the development of inguinal herniation. Hernia [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2023 Aug 18];21(4):531–5. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28393306/ 
  3. Williamson JS, Jones HG, Radwan RR, Rasheed A. Inguinal hernias associated with a single strenuous event. Hernia [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2023 Aug 18];20(5):687–90. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27178542/ 
  4. Lappen JR, Sheyn D, Hackney DN. Does pregnancy increase the risk of abdominal hernia recurrence after prepregnancy surgical repair? Am J Obstet Gynecol [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2023 Aug 18];215(3):390.e1-390.e5. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27177521/ 
  5. Goethals A, Azmat CE, Adams CT. Femoral Hernia. StatPearls Publishing;  2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535449/ 
  6. Kingsnorth AN. Hernia surgery: From guidelines to clinical practice. Ann R Coll Surg Engl [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2023 Aug 18];91(4):273–9. Available from:  http://dx.doi.org/10.1308/003588409×428540 
  7. Shakya VC, Sood S, Bhattarai BK, Agrawal CS, Adhikary S. Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: a prospective evaluation at Eastern Nepal. Pan Afr Med J [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2023 Aug 18];17. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2014.17.241.2610 
  8. Ramser M, Baur J, Keller N, Kukleta JF, Dörfer J, Wiegering A, et al. Robotic hernia surgery I. English version: Robotic inguinal hernia repair (r?TAPP). Video report and results of a series of 302 hernia operations. Chirurg [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2023 Aug 18];92(S1):1–13. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00104-021-01446-1 
  9.  Rathish C, Ajayan T. A case of inguinal hernia cured with homoeopathic remedy-Thuja Occidentalis. J Clin Exp Oncol [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2023 Aug 21];2018. Available from: https://www.scitechnol.com/peer-review/a-case-of-inguinal-hernia-cured-with-homoeopathic-remedythuja-occidentalis-81JG.php?article_id=7471 
  10. Case A, Rajput KD, Gontiya R, Kalpana D. A case report of umbilical hernia treated with constitutional homoeopathic remedy [Internet]. Tjhms.com. [cited 2023 Aug 21]. Available from: https://tjhms.com/uploadfiles/7%20Umblical%20hernia.20220414104712.pdf
  11.  Homeopathic Physician [Internet]. Nih.gov. [cited 2023 Aug 21]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9722127/pdf/homoeopathphys134635-0001.pdf