Excercise

[peanutspill]

I have a hiatal hernia and cannot do sit ups.  I've tried bending my knees, not going up very far and non of this helps.  Has anyone else had something similiar and found something that works?

[JainMD]

Hi,
I think it would be difficult for you tone your stomach muscles as you are having hiatus hernia with c-section with surgery for Crohn’s disease. All this surgeries have made your abdominal muscle weaker and weaker.
I think you can continue with other exercise and try to do some tolerable exercise of stomach. You can take help of physiotherapist and physical trainer for further strengthening of your muscles.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[peanutspill]

I cant do sit ups at all.  I get a buldge in my upper middle in between my rib cage.  It so painful I can't move.  I have to roll to my side to get up and that's after a few minutes of just lying there.  I walk, jog and we have an elyptical I use 3-4 times a week, but it doesn't help my stomach muscles.  I have 2 children by c section and I've had surgery for crohns disease so my muscles have been cut.  My doctors have teased me that I have an anchor scar.  I'm fairly toned with exception to my stomach.  I just want to be able to excercise my stomach muscles.  

[JainMD]

Hi,
As you might know that hiatus hernia is basically due to a gap in diaphragm due to which the upper GI structures upon pressure move into the thoracic cavity.
Hence any increase in intra-abdominal pressure would definitely cause the hiatus hernia to move up.
As you are already experiencing symptoms while you are doing exercise like sit-ups, it is indeed difficult to say that there are some other exercises which can help you in continuing exercise without causing the herniation.
What are you symptoms when you do sit ups?
If your symptoms are minimal then you can continue with your sit ups.
Keep me informed.
Bye.