Can you have natural hernias?

From this website -

Acquired vs Congenital Hernias

Hernias can also be classified by when they occur. A person may be born with a hernia, or a hernia may be acquired from daily activity.

Acquired hernias are caused by the wear and tear of living, such as childbirth, weight gain, and other muscle strain.
Congenital hernias are present from birth and happen at points of weakness in the abdominal wall. Children’s hernias are almost always congenital.

People who are born with an enlarged hiatus are prone to developing hiatal hernias which is a contributing factor to chronic heartburn.

The quick answer is “yes” – people have them, naturally. From birth and/or develop them over time.

Intestines (and for that matter, most body parts), as good as they are, are not uniform in thickness or quality. Some organs are thicker than others, and some less so.

My son had a double hernia operation at age three. I don’t remember them using the term “natural hernia” but presumably it must have been – unless it was the construction job we sent him out to!

I also have an inguinal hernia that I know I got from lifting a heavy box and I also have GERD’s and neither my Dr. or Gastro made a connection between the hernia and my GERD’s. Because my dad died from Barretts my Dr. strongly suggested I have an endoscopy done and I did and it did reveal I have pre-cancerous lesions on my esophagus. I never had chronic acid reflux maybe bouts once a month but I had the classic bad behavior that probably contributed to my GERD’s.

My Gastro put me on Omeprizole and told me to lose some weight, eat what I want but just half portions and not to eat past 6 PM. Also my diet was to avoid the foods that are obvious offenders for causing acid reflux. I am telling you all this because I am in a very precarious time of my life with the GERD’s condition which I am taking very seriously and IMO so should you. Taking a natural or OTC approach while all well and good IMO should also include a long hard look with your Dr. as to why you are having such issues with acid reflux.

con•gen•i•tal (kən-jĕnˈĭ-tl)►

adj. Of or relating to a condition that is present at birth, as a result of either heredity or environmental influences.
adj. Being or having an essential characteristic as if by nature; inherent or inveterate.

just to clarify

When I have such questions, the first place I go with questions is WebMD.com, so here you go with the starting page for your research.

Fluther, as good as it is for so many things, would be the last place I would go for medical advice.

True.
Your doctor describes an umbilical hernia which comes from the umbilical cord. Normally they close but it’s very common to have one that persists. I have one. They only are a problem if fat gets stuck in them and they become incarcerated or infected. Sometimes they are operated on.

Nevertheless, the umbilical hernia has nothing to do with the reflux.

But you’re right about doctors. They suck. (shhh.)

@Rarebear At what do they suck? :-)

Umblicial Hernia, I believe that’s what he said…. I actually a few friends that are Dr’s, and I do have a great Dr myself, I’m just a hard patient I think… anxiety disorder makes everything a bit more complicated than it has to be – but thank you everyone.