Do Athletic Supporters Really Do Anything?

Quick forum thread discussion on whether the male athletic supporter serves any real purpose.

Topics Covered

• What was the original purpose of the athletic support?
• Can an athletic supporter protect you from an inguinal hernia
• Do you need a firm undergarment to protect you from a hernia?
• The athletic supporter and the 'cup' to protect the genitalia

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Abdominal Hernia

An abdominal hernia is the abnormal protrusion of an organ or part of an organ through the abdominal wall. See list of pages concerning hernia.

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What is Barret's Esophagus? Its Development, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Barrett’s esophagus gets its name from Norman Barret, a British surgeon who described the condition in the 1950's. He defined it as a "congenitally short esophagus that tethered the stomach into the mediastinum." In this condition, the tissue lining the esophagus—the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach—is replaced by tissue that is similar to the lining of the intestine, a mucusa that is found in the distal esophagus. This process is called intestinal metaplasia, which is a transformation of the epitelium to something that is similar to the intestine.

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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common problem with the esophagus. In the western world it is one of the most common of all disorders and has increased in prevelance in the last two decades.

GERD is the more severe form of GER (gastrointestinal or gastroesophageal reflux) which is common and happens to everyone from time to time. To some extent it is a normal part of the post-meal period, especially early on after eating. GER occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens spontaneously, for varying periods of time, or does not close properly and stomach contents are allowed to leak back into the esophagus, causing irritation. This leaking back of stomach contents is also called acid reflux or acid regurgitation, because stomach acids rise up with the food.

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Symptoms of Sports Hernia and Athletic Pubalgia

What is a Sports Hernia?

A sports hernia also known as athletic pubalgia, Gilmore's groin, and slap shot gut, is an uncommon, but often missed cause of groin pain in high level athletes. It is poorly understood and poorly defined in the medical community. It is also very difficult to identify based on history and physical exam of an athlete with groin pain. The name sports hernia is a misnomer as well because there is no discernable hernia (or protrusion of abdominal cavity contents) present in this condition.

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