Hernia
What is Hernia ?
An abdominal hernia occurs when a portion of an internal organ (usually the intestine) bulges through a weakened segment of the abdominal muscle wall. A layered sheath of muscle that normally keeps the internal organs firmly in place covers the abdominal cavity. If a segment of this muscle wall becomes weak or slack, a portion of an underlying organ can protrude through. This can occur without the sufferer even knowing he or she has a hernia; but generally sufferers notice a bulge at the site of the weakness. Hernias can occur anywhere in the body but are most common in the abdominal area.
Specific types of hernias include:
- Epigastric hernia. This occurs in the upper abdomen, between the breastbone (sternum) and the navel. It is more common in men than women, and can cause tenderness in the area, indigestion, belching and sometimes vomiting.
- Paraumbilical hernia. This develops around the navel and is more common in women than in men. It can produce constipation and can sometimes cause abdominal pain.
- Inguinal hernia. This occurs in the groin area, and is generally found in men or male babies.
- Femoral hernia. This is similar to an inguinal hernia, except it is lower in the groin. It is most common in women who are overweight or have had several children.
- Umbilical hernia. This occurs in newborn babies and appears as a bulge at the navel.
- Incisional hernia. This occurs after abdominal surgery, at the site where the muscle was cut.
Causes of an Abdominal Hernia
Hernias are caused by weakening or tear in the muscle wall that covers the abdominal cavity. Pregnancy, surgery and obesity can be precipitating factors. Some hernias occur suddenly, for example, when you cough or strain to lift a heavy object. Others will evolve over a few days or even weeks. The weakness in the muscle wall may have been present since birth. Generally, a hernia will become progressively worse as time goes on.
What Conditions Respond to Acupuncture?
Acupuncture treats a wide variety of disorders. The World Health Organization lists over forty diseases that acupuncture can treat effectively. The following is a partial list of the most common ailments.
Conditions | |
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Nerve Disorder | Bell’s Palsy (Facial Neuralgia) · Headache · Intercostal Neuralgia · Migraine · Numbness in hand and feet · Parkinson’s Disease · Shingles · Sciatica · Toothpain · Trigeminal Neuralgia |
Motor System Disorder | Back Pain · Bursitis · Herniated Disk · Knee Pain · Neck Pain · Repetitive Motion Injuries · Sprained Ankle · Sports Injuries · Stiff Shoulder · Tempromandibular Disorders · Tennis Elbow · Thoracic Outlet Syndrome · Whip Lash |
Gastro-intestinal Disorder | Anal Fissure · Constipation · Diarrhea · Gastritis · Gastroptosis · Hemorrhoid · Hepatitis · Indigestion · Irritable Bowel Syndrome · Kidney Stones · Stomatitis · Ulcer · Ulcerative Colitis |
Circulatory Disorder | Cold Constitution · Edema · Heart Problems · Heartthrob · High Blood Pressure · Jaundice · Low Blood Pressure |
Endocrine Disorder | Diabetes ·Thyroid Problem · Gout |
Respiratory Disorder | Asthma · Bronchitis ·Common Cold · Coughing · Sore Throat ·Tonsillitis |
Urinary Disorder | Cystitis · Enlarged prostate · Frequent Urination · Impotence · Kidney Inflammation · Mastitis · Male Infertility · Urethritis |
Sensory System Disorder | Deafness · Eczema ·Dermatitis · Dizziness · Eye fatigue/strain · Hayfever & Sinus · Meniere’s Disease · Myopia · Skin Infections · Tinnitus · Vertigo |
Gynecological Disorder | Breech · Cold Constitution ·Dizziness · Endometritis · Endometriosis · Hysteromyoma · Infertility (Acura Fertility Treatment) · Mastopathy · Menopause · Menses · Menstrual Disorder · Morning Sickness (BBC News) |
Pediatric Disorder | Asthma · Bedwetting · Diarrhea · Excessive Night Crying ·Indigestion · Thrush · Weak Constitution |
Other Disorder | Anxiety ·Autonomic Ataxia ·Breathlessness ·Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ·Hair Loss · Hernia · Insomnia · Sleeping Disorder · Multiple Sclerosis · Osteoporosis · Physical Condition Improvement · Psychosomatic Disorder · Quit Smoking · Stress Management ·Weight Control |