Please provide some do's and don'ts on living with a hernia.

Ignore: Avoid actions that would increase intraabdomimal pressure such: lifting, straining , coughing, or any type of strenuous physical activity.

Ignore: Don't live with it, get it fixed. It will get bad ; you may need some intestine cut out ; an ostomy.

Ignore: Avoid heavy lifting, constipation, chronic cough, urinary straining. Best fix - surgical repair.

Ignore: Where? All are bulges and keeping them reduced and non painful,is important. Get fixed soon.

Ignore: A hernia if it doesn't bother you should not limit your activities. Seek help for pain!

Limit: Limit your activity only by discomfort and see a physician ASAP if the hernia hurts acutely.

Ignore: Do not lift heavy weights if you have a hernia.

Ignore: Don't strain or do heavy lifting. Anything increasing pressure in your abdomen will make it worse.

Ignore: If painful or hard to reduce, see a surgeon right away.

Ignore: Would avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities if they cause pain, see a general surgeon.

As tolerated : Do: see your doctor for a consultation for a comete evaluation. All hernias are not the same. Do: Set a reason why you would have it repaired - fix a problem and/or prevent it from getting worse. Do: Acitvity as tolerated by pain/discomfort. Don't: Let it get larger or more painful without a consultation with a general surgeon. Check the Americas Hernia Society for surgeons interested in hernia.

Ignore: Refrain from heavy lifting or strenuous exercise. If painful seek medical help.

Ignore: Do: get it checked out by a surgeon. If it is symptomatic (painful) it should be fixed.

Ignore: Do walk even with a hernia. Do not let hernia get in the way of life.

Ignore: See a surgeon to evaluate your risk of complications if herniated not fixed. Avoid heavy lifting.

Ignore: Avoid straining your abdomen, don't lift heavy objects, see a surgeon if it changes- pain, size, etc.

Ignore: If not fixed, it must be monitored for incarceration- getting stuck because it can then strangulate.

Ignore: Elective surgery runs much lower complication risk then emergency. Do not wait, till it's too late.