Causes of hiatal hernia vary depending on each individual. Among the multiple causes, however, are the mechanical causes which include: improper heavy weight lifting, hard coughingbouts, sharp blows to the abdomen, tight clothing and incorrect posture.[5]
Furthermore, conditions that increase the pressure of the abdominal cavity may also cause hernias or worsen the existing ones. Some examples would be: obesity, straining during a bowel movement or urination, chronic lung disease, and also, fluid in the abdominal cavity.[6]
The physiological school of thought contends that the above mentioned are not the true causes of hernia, but are instead an (anatomical) symptom of the true, (physiological) cause. Based on hundreds of observations during dissection, they have concluded that the risk of hernia is due to a physiological difference between patients who suffer hernia and those who do not, namely the presence of aponeurotic extensions from the transversus abdominis aponurotic arch. [7]
When a hernia is not repaired, it may become incarcerated or strangulated. When strangulation occurs, there is a danger that part of the intestine be caught in the hernia cutting off blood supply to the tissue. Also, when a bowel obstruction occurs, it leads to severe pain, vomiting, nausea and inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas. Men are more prone to suffer inguinal hernias than women, and they risk a damage to their testicles if a hernia becomes strangulated.[8] Also, the pressure caused on the hernia's surrounding tissues may extend into the scrotum causing pain and swelling.
Causes of hiatal hernia vary depending on each individual. Among the multiple causes, however, are the mechanical causes which include: improper heavy weight lifting, hard coughingbouts, sharp blows to the abdomen, tight clothing and incorrect posture.[5]
Furthermore, conditions that increase the pressure of the abdominal cavity may also cause hernias or worsen the existing ones. Some examples would be: obesity, straining during a bowel movement or urination, chronic lung disease, and also, fluid in the abdominal cavity.[6]
Also, if muscles are weakened due to poor nutrition, smoking, and overexertion, hernias are more likely to occur.
The physiological school of thought contends that the above mentioned are not the true causes of hernia, but are instead an (anatomical) symptom of the true, (physiological) cause. Based on hundreds of observations during dissection, they have concluded that the risk of hernia is due to a physiological difference between patients who suffer hernia and those who do not, namely the presence of aponeurotic extensions from the transversus abdominis aponurotic arch. [7]
When a hernia is not repaired, it may become incarcerated or strangulated. When strangulation occurs, there is a danger that part of the intestine be caught in the hernia cutting off blood supply to the tissue. Also, when a bowel obstruction occurs, it leads to severe pain, vomiting, nausea and inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas. Men are more prone to suffer inguinal hernias than women, and they risk a damage to their testicles if a hernia becomes strangulated.[8] Also, the pressure caused on the hernia's surrounding tissues may extend into the scrotum causing pain and swelling.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hernia