Mainly associated with part of the intestine protruding through a weakened part of either:
• The Abdominal Wall
• The Groin - where the muscles of the belly-wall junction line with those of the thigh
• The Scrotum - in the case of males
• The Navel (Umbillicus) - the centre of the abdomen where the umbilical cord once entered. Sometimes referred to as Umbilical Hernia which presses on lungs and causes breathlessness - common in babies.
Hernias signify a congenital weakness of the abdominal wall and can occur because of wrongful lifting or straining. Lifting should always be done by bending the knees and using strength from the upper arms not the lower body. Straining in passing stools can be avoided by short-term probiotic applications.

Hiatus Hernia
Most commonly found in overweight people and smokers. A part of the stomach actually protrudes up into the chest, where an acid reflux can occur from the stomach to the oesophagus, resulting in heartburn and chest pains.

LIFESTYLE ATTENTION

• Lift heavy articles by bending at the knees, not from the waist. Take the strain of the article being lifted by the biceps muscles and stand up straight by pressure from the knees - not the back or waist.
• Reduce overweight by longtem goals - not quick fixes. Consult a dietician or nutritional therapist.
• To prevent regurgitation at night and any accompanying heartburn, raise the bed head slightly and wedge the mattress under the legs with foam or a bolster.
• Eat evening meal early - 2-3 hours before retiring.
• Eat meals of small proportions and more frequently.
• Mono-eating (one food group at a time) is best.
• Chew all food well.
• Avoid fatty foods, spiced-up foods, alcohol and cut out smoking.
• Drink freshly made vegetables juices, herb teas and coffee substitutes in place of regular tea, coffee and cola drinks.
• Buy a juice extractor and blender if you don't already possess one.

HOMOEOPATHIC

• Calcarsa - Infant overweight, prone to head sweats at night.
  Particularly if he/she likes to eat earth
• Silicea - Infant thin, largish head, sweaty feet
• Nux - All other infant cases and adults retching 1/2 hour after food
• Arsenicum - Heartburn after food (adults)
• Lycopodium - Heartburn, stomach bloated, full of gas and adult gets full up feeling, quickly
  
  There are many others and only a qualified Homoeopath can help. He may refer to surgery where it is only absolutely necessary. Always remember surgery is one of the options, and a must in 'life threatening' conditions.

TISSUE SALTS

• Calc Fluor - to improve the tone of the affected tissue and its flexibility

HERBALS

• Slippery Elm, powder or capsules

AROMATHERAPY

• Bath Mix - Rosemary (20) Lavender (25)
• Massage Mix - Ginger (15) Fennel (15) Coriander (15)
  Where scar tissue fails to heal after an operation, or the incision may have become infected, make a mixture of: Ginger (10), Tea Tree (25), Neroli (15) and either use for massage or in the bath, or both.

SPECIAL FOODS

• Vegetable juices freshly made (as discussed above).
• Raw food of vegetables or fruit, eaten separately.
• Slippery Elm Tea, 3 x daily. Sweetened only with barley or rice malt.

SPECIAL EXERCISE

• Aim at exercises that will strengthen the stomach muscles. Refer to a
  specialist trainer.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Osteopath
• Yoga
• Surgery to return the hernia to the stomach