The Distress of Hernias Really Can Be Prevented, says Dr. Shirin Towfigh of Beverly Hills Hernia Center

The renowned surgeon is a leader in treating hernias in women and men, but she understands that prevention remains the gold standard for everyone

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Beverly Hills Hernia Center

Sep 09, 2013, 06:50 ET

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Shirin Towfigh has made her Beverly Hills Hernia Center the office for hernia surgery Los Angeles medical observers recommend regularly. A leader in diagnosing hernia symptoms in women and men, Dr. Towfigh would like to remind the public that hernias can, indeed, be prevented, even though there is mounting evidence that many of us possess genetically inherited risk factors that make us more vulnerable to the painful and distressing condition. While Dr. Towfigh has made great strides in terms of treating hernias as well as in hernia surgery recovery, there's no doubt that most people would strongly prefer an ounce of prevention over the proverbial pound of cure.

"My research has shown that if you have a close female relative who has suffered from a hernia, you might very well be at much more risk for a hernia than others. However, even if you have no known history of hernias in your family, these steps are all generally very good for a person's overall health and could prevent many other conditions," Dr. Towfigh says.

For starters, Dr. Towfigh strongly suggests keeping your weight under control as much as possible. People with BMIs (Body Mass Index) of 25 or under reduce their risk of a hernia considerably. While maintaining an ideal weight is much easier for some people than others, there's little doubt that regular exercise is one of the best health habits we can maintain. Exercise that trains the so-called core muscles of the abdomen, lower back, and pelvis is especially helpful for people concerned about preventing hernias. In fact, in some patients who are already showing symptoms, exercise can sometimes prevent the need for surgery. Even for patients who do end up undergoing hernia surgery, core exercises are recommended as early as 2-4 weeks following a procedure.

Another generally healthful habit that is especially helpful for those at risk of hernias is the kind of high-fiber diet that prevents constipation. The straining associated with constipation is a frequent cause of hernia flare-ups. On a similar note, men suffering from enlarged prostates should seek treatment early as straining during urination is also associated with hernias.

Coughing is another issue than can cause hernias to appear suddenly. People at risk for hernias should treat coughs associated with colds or allergies especially aggressively. Moreover, smoking – obviously a very bad health habit – is an issue for a number of reasons, including the excessive coughing that can result. When people at risk for hernias have to cough, they should engage their abdominal muscles and tuck in the pelvis before coughing to protect against extra abdominal pressure.

If you have questions about hernias and your risk of developing one, you can phone Dr. Towfigh at 310-358-5020. You can also reach her via her web site at BeverlyHillsHerniaCenter.com. The doctor and her helpful staff are looking forward to hearing from you.

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SOURCE Beverly Hills Hernia Center