Q. I have an active lifestyle and am worried about getting a hernia. Can it be prevented?
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A. While there are genetic factors that likely affect the strength of your abdominal wall, you can take steps to decrease your risk of getting a hernia including controlling your weight, managing diabetes and avoiding nicotine-containing products. Other issues that can stress your abdomen and cause a hernia are chronic constipation and coughs, so manage those carefully.
To reduce your risk even more, be mindful of the stress being placed on your abdominal wall. Think of your abdominal wall as one of your joints or your back, areas of the body that absorb the stress of daily activities. By using proper lifting techniques, you can decrease the stress on your abdominal wall and help lower your hernia risk.
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If you do experience a hernia, surgery is the only way to repair the affected muscle or tissue. There are procedures to treat hiatal hernia, inguinal hernia, femoral hernia, parastomal hernia, umbilical hernia and ventral hernia.
Dr. Darren Hunt specializes in trauma and acute care surgery with University Surgical Associates and is a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society.
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Dr. Darren Hunt