Healing umbilical hernia?!
Question: my father is recovering after being operated on for an umbilical hernia. I would like to know if there are any natural remedies to heal and strengthen the muscle area around the abdominal wall?
also what are good natural painkillers or curing the cut area of the wound?
One more question... is there a special diet that should be followed, what foods should be avoided?
Thank you
Answers: my father is recovering after being operated on for an umbilical hernia. I would like to know if there are any natural remedies to heal and strengthen the muscle area around the abdominal wall?
also what are good natural painkillers or curing the cut area of the wound?
One more question... is there a special diet that should be followed, what foods should be avoided?
Thank you
First of all, he doesn't need to do anything for the first six weeks of healing. The muscle itself in the area around the hernia has been reinforced as part of the repair- usually using a sort of teflon mesh stitched to the muscle itself. As far as healing the skin, if he still has stitches- those need to be kept clean using plain soap and water at this point. After the stitches are removed, use the oil in a vitamin E gel cap. Just poke a hole in the end and squeeze it out right on the scar line, and gently rub it into the skin. That helps with the healing best of anything I know. There are no natural painkillers that will be useful. Most of the postoperative misery is actually due to the gas used to expand the abdomen for the procedure, and that has to pass naturally, if you get the picture. That goes faster the more he moves around- so he should be up walking a bit, no matter how slowly he moves. The first two days are the hardest, after that it's just a matter of getting yourself up again. For the first few days postoperatively, you can eat pretty much whatever you feel like. Although I can tell you, he ought to stay away from any foods that normally give him gas- as that's just going to add fuel to the fire, and he'll feel gassy enough already. He should also take care to eat plenty of fiber, as the last thing he wants to get is constipated. If he's not up to a full diet, at least get him to drink a glass of one of the water soluble fiber mixes sold now. What he should do after the six weeks check depends on what his doctor recommends. If the hernia was due to a pre-existing weakness of the abdominal wall, and he's overweight- then weight loss will help prevent a reoccurence. He may be able to do situps or crunches, but the time for those depends on the doctor's call. And sometimes, if the hernia was due to how the umbilical was tied to begin with- the surgery took care of it all, and he may not need to do anything else. So far as wound care, until the incision is dry, keep it covered with a bandage and don't be putting anything on it. For the "kicked in the belly" sensation, sometimes you are more comfy with a weightlifter's belt around the middle. Not fitted too snugly- but snug enough to support things. My hubbie found it gave him a lot of relief for about a week afterwards. And after it heals dry, then use the vitamin e oil. Otherwise, leave the body to heal itself- it is the expert on doing that. Wait until the checkup to ask the doctor for recommendations to strengthen the muscles as well- he really does need that 6 weeks of healing time.
Analgesia would probably be a good painkiller, he should take anibiotics, and have high fiber foods. Hope your dad gets well.
a hernia is a tear in the abdominal wall and the funny fact is lots of people have a tear and it never bothers them or doesn't bother for years. Some people are born with hernias. I doubt very much that there would be a legitimate natural way to heal them outside of surgery. Outside of generally eating a healthy diet, i have never heard of anything special to strengthen that area. I had hernia surgery a few years back and all went well although the surgery site was tender for a long time.