What Shouldn't You Do When You Have a Hernia? Expert Precautions

September 28, 2025 •

4 min read

An estimated five million Americans suffer from a hernia each year, with many unaware of the condition. If you've been diagnosed with one, understanding what shouldn't you do when you have a hernia is crucial for managing symptoms, avoiding painful flare-ups, and preventing serious, life-threatening complications like strangulation.

Quick Summary

Managing a hernia involves avoiding activities that increase abdominal pressure, such as heavy lifting and strenuous exercise. It also requires dietary adjustments to prevent straining from constipation, and prompt medical attention for worsening symptoms to avoid severe complications.

Key Points

Avoid Heavy Lifting: Refrain from lifting heavy objects to prevent increasing abdominal pressure and worsening the hernia.
Modify Exercise: Ditch high-impact and strenuous core exercises like crunches and planks; opt for low-impact alternatives like walking or swimming.
Mind Your Diet: Eat smaller, frequent meals and avoid acidic, fatty, and spicy foods, especially with a hiatal hernia, to reduce acid reflux.
Prevent Straining: Eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water to avoid constipation and straining during bowel movements.
Stop Smoking: A chronic cough from smoking significantly increases abdominal pressure and weakens tissue, which can aggravate a hernia.
Do Not Delay Care: A hernia will not heal on its own. Prompt medical attention is necessary to monitor the condition and prevent life-threatening strangulation.
Seek Emergency Help for Worsening Symptoms: If you experience a painful bulge, fever, nausea, or vomiting, seek immediate medical care as these can be signs of a strangulated hernia.

Avoiding Activities That Increase Abdominal Pressure

Increased pressure within the abdomen is a major cause of hernia formation and aggravation. It forces internal tissue or organs through the weakened muscle wall, leading to a more pronounced and painful bulge. The first and most critical step for anyone with a hernia is to modify or completely stop activities that exert this kind of pressure.

Heavy Lifting and Strenuous Exercise

Weightlifting: This is the most common and dangerous activity to avoid. Lifting heavy weights, especially with improper form, puts immense strain on the abdominal muscles.
Intense Core Workouts: Crunches, sit-ups, planks, and certain Pilates exercises directly target the abdominal wall and should be avoided.
High-Impact Sports: Contact sports or other high-impact activities like football or wrestling put you at risk of impact and sudden, strenuous movements.
Straining: Any activity that causes you to hold your breath and strain, like pushing, pulling, or using the restroom, increases internal pressure. Instead, focus on breathing out during exertion.

Proper Lifting Techniques

If you must lift something, it's essential to do so correctly to minimize strain:

Bend from the knees, not the waist, to engage your leg muscles.
Keep your back straight throughout the movement.
Hold the object as close to your body as possible.
Exhale as you lift to help manage abdominal pressure.

Dietary Don'ts to Prevent Complications

Your diet can play a significant role in managing hernia symptoms, particularly by preventing constipation and reducing acid reflux. Avoiding certain foods and eating habits can make a major difference in your comfort level.

Foods to Avoid or Limit

Spicy and Acidic Foods: Especially for hiatal hernias, spicy foods, tomato sauce, citrus fruits, and vinegar can trigger or worsen acid reflux symptoms.
Fatty and Fried Foods: High-fat foods can delay stomach emptying and increase inflammation and indigestion.
Caffeine and Alcohol: These substances can relax the esophageal sphincter, contributing to acid reflux, and in the case of alcohol, can cause dehydration.
Carbonated Beverages and Chewing Gum: These can cause bloating and gas, which increases internal pressure.

Maintaining Regular Bowel Movements

Constipation and straining during bowel movements are major contributors to hernia problems. To prevent this, you shouldn't do the following:

Ignore Fiber and Hydration: Failing to consume enough high-fiber foods and water will make bowel movements difficult and cause straining.
Overdo Fiber Initially: Introducing too much fiber too quickly can cause bloating, which can also be painful. Add it to your diet gradually.

Immediate Actions to Avoid

Sometimes, the wrong move can turn a manageable hernia into a medical emergency. You should avoid these actions at all costs.

Delaying Medical Attention

A hernia does not heal on its own and can grow larger or become more painful over time. Ignoring a hernia can lead to serious complications. If you notice any concerning symptoms, you should consult a specialist immediately.

Forcefully Pushing the Bulge Back In

While some hernias can be gently pushed back in, you should never attempt to force an incarcerated hernia back into place. An incarcerated hernia is trapped, and forcing it can cause severe damage. Pushing on a bulging hernia that is already painful is particularly dangerous and should be avoided.

Using a Hernia Truss Without Guidance

A hernia truss can be a useful temporary measure to provide support, but it must be used correctly and under medical supervision. Applying it incorrectly or over an already bulging hernia can increase pain and cause further damage. A truss is not a cure and should only be used as a bridge to surgery.

Post-Surgery Don'ts

For those who have had or are awaiting surgery, the recovery period is a time for careful adherence to a doctor's instructions. A hernia can recur if proper precautions aren't taken after surgery.

Ignoring Medical Advice: Always follow your surgeon's specific post-operative care instructions. Your doctor will advise you on when it is safe to resume activities.
Resuming Strenuous Activity Too Soon: Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and certain exercises (like squats) for several weeks. Your doctor will provide a timeline for gradually returning to your normal routine.
Driving Too Soon: You should not drive while on narcotic pain medication or until you can safely operate a vehicle without pain. This is typically 2 days after surgery, but always confirm with your doctor.

Comparison of Precautions for Different Hernia Types


Feature	Inguinal Hernia (Groin)	Hiatal Hernia (Diaphragm)
Key Don'ts	Avoid heavy lifting and straining. Be cautious with strenuous exercise.	Avoid large meals, lying down after eating, and trigger foods.
Dietary Focus	Increase fiber and water to prevent constipation.	Avoid acidic, fatty, spicy foods; consume smaller, more frequent meals.
Support Devices	A hernia truss can offer temporary relief but requires medical supervision.	Elevating the head of the bed can alleviate nighttime heartburn.
Symptom Management	Rest and lying flat can relieve symptoms temporarily.	Medications like antacids or PPIs can manage acid reflux.

The Critical Importance of Seeking Professional Advice

While understanding what to avoid is crucial, it is not a substitute for professional medical guidance. Every hernia is different, and a medical professional can provide a tailored treatment plan. A definitive repair, especially for inguinal hernias, often requires surgery. For further information and expert care, consider consulting an accredited center like Johns Hopkins Medicine. Ignoring symptoms or failing to adjust your lifestyle puts you at risk of severe complications, potentially requiring emergency surgery.

Conclusion

Living with a hernia requires a conscious effort to modify your lifestyle and avoid activities that can worsen your condition. The central rule is to avoid anything that significantly increases abdominal pressure, including heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and straining due to constipation or coughing. For hiatal hernias, avoiding large meals and trigger foods is key. Most importantly, never delay seeking medical attention for a new or worsening hernia. By being mindful of these key 'don'ts', you can manage your symptoms effectively and protect your health while awaiting or living with a hernia.

Frequently Asked Questions

If an activity, such as lifting or exercising, causes a sharp, burning, or aching sensation at the site of the hernia bulge, you should stop immediately. Listen to your body and avoid any movement that causes discomfort or pressure.

Yes, light, low-impact exercise like walking, swimming, or biking is generally safe and encouraged. However, you should avoid any high-intensity workouts, heavy lifting, or core exercises, and listen to your body to prevent strain.

A hernia truss or belt can provide temporary support and relief, but it should only be used under a doctor's guidance. It is not a permanent solution and applying it incorrectly can cause more harm.

If left untreated, a hernia can enlarge, cause more pain, and potentially lead to serious complications. The most dangerous is a strangulated hernia, where the blood supply to the trapped tissue is cut off, requiring emergency surgery.

For a hiatal hernia, you should avoid acidic foods, spicy foods, fatty foods, caffeine, and alcohol. Eating smaller, more frequent meals and waiting a few hours before lying down can also help manage symptoms like acid reflux.

You should quit smoking because the chronic cough associated with it can increase pressure on your abdominal muscles, which can worsen or aggravate your hernia.

Yes, relying solely on a truss can lead to a false sense of security and cause you to delay a necessary surgery. While it offers temporary relief, a truss does not repair the underlying weakness, and surgery is the only permanent solution for most hernias.