Is there any link between IBD and Hernias?

[Crohn's Mom]

Hi all

My brother also has CD so I am asking this for him.

He has, through the last 10+ years, had surgeries to deal with 4 different hernias. Now he is going for a surgical consult this week because they believe he has two more.

So, I am wondering, is there any link between IBD and developing hernias?
Is there any research on this that anyone may know of ?

I appreciate any responses and opinions !

He takes 6mp and prednisone (as needed).

 

[2thFairy]

I don't have research on this, but I don't think there is a connection. I've typed up a bunch of hernia operations and I think only about 2 of those patients also had IBD. Also, considering hernias are caused by a weakness in the muscle, I don't believe there would be a connection.

Good question!

 

[2thFairy]

Has he had abdominal surgery for his Crohn's? If so, that could play a role in development of hernias. Poor guy!!!

 

[Crohn's Mom]

No, he hasn't had a resection that I know of

 

[annawato]

Hernias can be caused by straining to go but thats the only link between crohn's and hernias I can think of. I guess abdominal pain could make us not have as strong abdominal muscles as we should and so predispose us to hernias - is he overweight or got a big tummy?
Are the hernias all abdominal?

 

[Crohn's Mom]

Thanks Anna

No he is not overweight , or big tummy - matter of fact he's a bit underweight and malnourished IMO.

He's a carpenter and contractor by trade - maybe that contributes ?
Just seems odd that he has had so many.
And I know of a few other IBD'ers that have had hernia troubles, so I just wonder if there is a connection - or just coincidence.

 

[annawato]

You never know with crohn's - it seems able to cause so many extra-intestinal problems. Its always interesting to find out how many people get a certain problem - I'm sure we will unearth new links.
I think being a carpenter would definitely contribute, but maybe crohn's does predispose cos like you said there seems to be a lot of people here who have them although I think a fair few of them would be from abdominal surgery or stomas.
Maybe being underweight and malnourished ( IYO ) means he doesn't have his normal strength for lifting. It is a puzzle.

 

[Mark180]

I got what I think was a hernia many years ago. I was told that I was OK, so I didn't think too much about it. After that I started having what I now know are Crohn's symptoms. I have been told that there "shouldn't" be a connection between the 2, but I still have my doubts.

 

[Jakefriesz1]

I got what I think was a hernia many years ago. I was told that I was OK, so I didn't think too much about it. After that I started having what I now know are Crohn's symptoms. I have been told that there "shouldn't" be a connection between the 2, but I still have my doubts.

Hey mark in trying find a relation. Did you have a mesh patch put in?

 

[ronroush7]

I don't know if there is any relationship but I have Crohns and a hiatal hernia.

 

[crohnsinct]

So weird this should suddenly surface. My 16 year old daughter with Crohn's was just told they suspect she has a hernia and if so she will need surgery. A lot of people have them so I really do wonder if a disproportionate amount of IBDers get them.

 

[Jakefriesz1]

I started having all my bowel problems after my hernia. But I never had traditional crohns symptoms just inflammation in my ileum right above my hernia. Lost weight slow over 5 years bowel movements close to normal. Crohnsinct if you get the hernia repair find a doctor that doesn't use mesh! It's not worth putting foreign material in your gut