What Causes A Hernia

Couple campaign to raise awareness of rare condition

The chance of Ella-Rose’s survival was slim. If she did survive, chances were she’d spend most of her life in hospitals or have severe long-term medical issues.

“The first option was termination,” said Jennifer. “But that wasn’t an option for me. It wasn’t on my radar. This was a child, and she needed to have a chance.”

After spending the rest of her pregnancy getting checked every week and doing everything they could to find out about the condition, Ella-Rose was born. Brian and Jennifer spent the next nine days with their new daughter until she died on Nov. 17, 2010.

“It’s not the way it’s supposed to be,” Jennifer said, as she remembers burying her daughter. “As much as I thought I was reading on it and doing, nothing prepares you for that. I was mostly numb. I think I was in denial – a lot of it was denial. Today I’m still grieving because nothing prepares you for losing a child.”

But through the pain and grief, the Barrhaven couple has been determined to fundraise as much as they can for research and awareness of the rare disorder.

Most recently, they took part in Scotiabank’s Walk, Roll and Run for Roger’s House – the organization that’s given them support throughout their ordeal. Their goal was to raise $5,000 by Ella-Rose’s first birthday – a goal that has been far surpassed with more than $10,000 raised in only seven months.

“We have pretty amazing family and friends,” Jennifer said.

Brian’s employer, Lincoln Heights Ford in Ottawa’s west end, is also supporting the couple’s efforts to raise awareness and encourage research into the causes of congenital diaphragmic hernia.

“It’s frustrating because there’s tons of research in the (United States),” Brian said. “If we collaborated more on research, there might be a lot more children who didn’t pass away.”

Even though there hasn’t been a date set yet, Brian said his employer will hold a Drive One 4 UR Community event. At this event, participants can give a $20 donation to test drive a car in support of the Hoyts’ cause. Ford will match funds that are raised at the event.

The couple has also set up a fund at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, named after Ella-Rose, to which people can donate.

Hernia – Causes, Picture, Symptoms And Treatment | Health Resource

Hernia occurs when a part of an organ protrudes through the muscular fiber that has the role of keeping that organ in its place. This usually happens due to a weakness that appears in the muscles that are around the organ, and causes them to tear and let a part of it come out through the small opening that is created. That part of the organ that protudes will create a proeminent bulge that can usually be seen.

Hiatal hernia (often referred to as hiatus hernia) is the protrusion (or hernia) of the upper part of the stomach into the thorax through a tear or weakness in the diaphragm. Hiatal hernias may develop in people of all ages and both sexes, although it is considered to be a condition of middle age. In fact, the majority of otherwise normal people past the age of 50 have small hiatal hernias.

Hernia Causes

While specific causes are not really known, hiatal hernias have been associated with the following:

1. Pregnancy and delivery 4. Straining during difficult bowel movements

First of all there may be a mechanical cause. Improper weight lifting, hard coughing bouts, sharp blows to the abdomen, tight clothing and incorrect posture may contribute to the development of this problem. Improper lifting may be (though not necessary) the biggest mechanical cause of this disorder. If the air is not expelled out of a person’s lungs during lifting, it can force the stomach into the esophagus. So be careful with that.

Hernia Picture:

Hernia Symptoms

Some people who suffer from hiatal hernia usually don’t have any symptoms at all. However, hiatal hernia can generate symptoms such as heartburn, abdominal pain and discomfort and nausea. Most people affected by hiatal hernia suffer from heartburn, which usually intensifies after meals. This common symptom of hiatal hernia occurs due to reflux of the stomach content inside the esophagus. When doctors suspect the presence of hiatal hernia in patients, they usually perform additional tests in order to confirm the clinical diagnose.

Irreducible hernia, just as its name suggests, can not be pushed back. This usually means that an old hernia is transforming, and complications can appear. It can easily lead to strangulation of the tissue. It also has some other different symptoms like vomiting. Strangulated hernia, a form that is more dangerous, as mentioned before strangulates an organ or tissue and it cuts its blood supply. This type of hernia can also present vomiting symptoms and the strangulated area is always painful.

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