As you may've seen the advertisements: Acid reflux is a horrible disease that can cause damage to the oesophagus and lead to cancer. Are these claims realistic, or simply exaggerated to sell over the counter medications? The fact is that doctors don't even agree on the causes, treatments, and long-term risks related to heartburn, so you can believe what you want about the ads.
Heartburn is the uncomfortable feeling resulting from acid reflux, or GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease (try saying that out loud a few times). It can feel like a burning sensation (hence, the name), but can also feel like pressure in the chest, which is why it is sometimes confused with feelings associated with heart attacks.
When the muscle between the stomach and the oesophagus gets weak or relaxes at the wrong time Acid reflux occurs. The result is that the stomach contents, including the acid, move up into the oesophagus. Because the oesophagus doesn't have the protective lining that the stomach does, the acid literally burns the oesophagus.
What Works?
Several non-prescription drugs may be effective for mild to moderate acid reflux, such as antacids, which neutralize stomach acids. These include well-known over the counter medications such as Tums and Rolaids. Another option is H2 receptor antagonists, which reduce the production of stomach acids. These include Axid AR, Pepcid AC, Tagamet HB, and Zantac 75. Pepcid complete is the only of these that combines an antacid with an H2 receptor antagonist. Which is the best treatment? One study found that Pepcid complete performed better than either an antacid alone or an H2 receptor antagonist alone.
Prescription drugs prescribed to treat acid reflux are called proton-pump inhibitors. These include Aciphex, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix. While these are equally effective, one study did find that Nexium may heal esophageal sores faster.
Homeopathic Remedies
Combined with homeopathic remedies, heartburn may be treated effectively with less reliance on over the counter or prescription medications. Together, these solutions may provide the answers where just one solution fails to deliver on the promise.
Natural options that may help reduce GERD include deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), which may bring fast relief and help heal damaged lining. Aloe Vera juice may also act quickly to bring relief. For those with chronic problems, Gamma-oryzanol (rice bran oil) may be useful, as could choline, pantothenic acid, and thiamin. These natural solutions may provide more effective short-term relief as well as provide long-term dietary benefits.
Why Try a Homeopathic Remedy?
The benefits of natural solutions is that they are often less costly and reduce the chances of becoming reliant on a particular solution. Natural solutions include treating the cause as much as the affect, and experimenting with diet and alternative treatments may help lessen the cause of the problem. Additionally, all of the homeopathic remedies mentioned above can be used along with over the counter or prescription medications.
Does Acid Reflux Cause Cancer?
Studies on acid reflux and cancer vary. One study showed that chronic acid reflux increased the chances of oesophageal cancer by as much as eight times. Another study determined that the risk of cancer is not nearly as much as was once thought. Chronic acid reflux can lead to Barrett's oesophagus, or BE, which has been thought to lead to an increase in cancer. A study conducted by a group of medical doctors found that the risk of cancer from BE is not as much as previously thought, stating that BE will not cause cancer for most people.
What is not questioned is whether or not acid reflux is uncomfortable. Chronic GERD is difficult to live with, and experimenting with both traditional medications and natural remedies may be the best solution. As research continues on the causes and affects of GERD, additional options are likely to come along.
About The Author
Andrew Kelly keeps you up to date with the latest Acid Reflux/Heartburn relief tips and strategies. Learn simple and effective methods to help stop the burning. To recieve your free info please click this link: www.acidrefluxfree.com
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Be Rid of Heartburn Forever
Heartburn can be very distressing and it happens when the normal function of food digestion malfunctions. This occurs when the digestive acid that comes back into the esophagus damages the lining of the esophagus. The body reacts by sending a message. Pain is nature’s way of saying that something is wrong. Left unattended the lining of the esophagus can be damaged or may form an ulcer. An ulcer is a break in the lining of the esophagus wall. that may be lead to bleeding. This is more than simple heartburn.
Knowing the cause of heartburn can helpful. Common causes of heartburn include eating too much and eating the wrong kinds of foods. These can include alcohol, chocolate, citrus fruits and drinks as well as colas, tomato products and fatty foods. Other reasons for heartburn can include hiatal hernia, stress, allergies, enzyme deficiencies and heartburn ulcers. Identifying the cause is important in finding the cure. For a complete picture you should see your doctor - having a complete picture can be very helpful for heartburn prevention.
When was the last time you had heartburn? You probably remember what caused it. A wonderful meal can be spoiled by that unpleasant feeling in the chest. Millions of folks are heartburn sufferers and many for the same reasons. We love to eat but oh, the after effects. If you are looking for answers, the first place to start is a diary that can help you track what you eat and how much. Accurate record keeping can identify which are major problem foods and should be completely eliminated or reduced.
A great meal can loose some of it’s charm if heartburn is an uninvited guest. For those with only minor symptoms heartburn symptoms will probably be recognized as mainly a pain in the breastbone, regurgitation, and nausea. It is important, however, to find the causes of the heartburn and eliminate the symptoms as they can often mask the more serious symptoms of a gastrointestinal problem. Use common sense - shape, reoccurring pain is nature’s way way of sending a message.
The most common sense prescription for heartburn is to eat sensibly. Smaller, more frequent, meals not only allows the stomach to generate less acid but also encourages the stomach to shrink and digest food more efficiently. Eat regularly, and don’t eat just before bedtime, lying down may cause the acid in your stomach to rise. As an obvious one, don’t do heavy exercise for 2-3 hours after a meal. however, light exercise like a casual walk can be beneficial.
Hiatal Hernia - The Hole In The Diaphragm
A Hiatal Hernia, also known as a diaphragmatic hernia, occurs at the opening of the diaphragm where the esophagus connects to the stomach. The esophagus is also referred to as the food pipe since it is responsible for carrying the food from the mouth directly into the stomach.
A hernia occurs anytime when one body part pushes its way into another body area where anatomically that body part does not belong. The diaphragm is a large dome-shaped muscular wall which separates the chest cavity from the abdomen and is greatly used in the mechanics of normal breathing. There is a small opening in the diaphragm known as the hiatus. With a hiatal hernia the stomach bulges up and into the chest through the opening known as the hiatus.
Although the exact cause of a hiatal hernia is unknown, it is thought that these hernias occur as a result of a weakening in the supportive and surrounding tissues. Other contributing factors may include obesity, smoking and advancing age.
Although fairly common, especially in those over 50, the majority of hiatal hernias are small and of no consequence. Many are only discovered through tests when your physician is actually looking for something else, such as evidence of acid reflux disease. However, large hiatal hernias can certainly cause their fair share of problems, including allowing food and stomach acids to back up into the esophagus causing heartburn.
Symptoms of hiatal hernia include heartburn, chest pain, burping, and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). These symptoms occur not as a direct result of the hiatal hernia itself but as a result of what the hernia allows...the backflow of food and stomach acid into the esophagus. Many people report an increase in symptoms when lifting heavy objects, lying down, leaning forward or straining.
Even if you have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, unless you have symptoms then you generally will not require any treatment.
However if you have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and are experiencing symptoms then it is important work closely you're your healthcare provider in order to determine the best treatment plan for your symptoms.
Lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, if you are over weight, reducing stress, sitting up after eating, avoiding tight fitting close and limiting fatty foods may be enough to give you complete relief from the symptoms of a hiatal hernia. Other treatment options include medications such as antacids, histamine blockers and proton pump inhibitors, and surgical repair if the hiatal hernia is large enough.
Relief can be found from a symptomatic hiatal hernia. Just ask the questions and you will find the answers just for you.
About the Author
For more important information on http://www.a-stomach-pain.com/. Be sure to visit a-stomach-pain.com. You will find advice on common stomach pain causes such as http://www.a-stomach-pain.com/ucr/stomach-ulcer.html, Crohn's disease, and more.Diet For Heartburn
Heartburn is a common digestive complaint which affects an estimated 15 million Americans every day, and 60 million once a month. Relief of mild heartburn is typically achieved through diet and lifestyle changes, although medication (eg. antacids) is usually necessary if the heartburn is caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
What is Heartburn? What Are The Symptoms?
Heartburn is a digestive problem: it has nothing to do with your heart. It occurs when small amounts of stomach acid accidentally rise up the esophagus (the food canal running from the mouth to the stomach) causing symptoms like a burning pain in the chest which rises towards the throat. Sufferers may even taste the fluid in the back of the mouth, and this is called acid indigestion. In many cases the pain and burning sensation is relatively mild, but sometimes is so severe that patients think they are experiencing a heart attack.
What Are The Causes Of Heartburn?
In general, the immediate cause of heartburn is the acidic digestive juices which leave the stomach and rise up the esophagus. The acid burns the tissue of the esophagus causing inflammation and pain - a condition called esophagitis. Heartburn may also occur in pregnancy when the baby is pressing up against the underside of the diaphragm and squeezing the stomach. An occasional episode of acid-regurgitation or indigestion is quite normal. But persistent heartburn (eg. twice a week), is usually a sign of something more serious. The two most common underlying causes of heartburn symptoms are gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hiatal hernia.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
GERD is characterized by a failure of the muscular valve, known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is located at the bottom of the esophagus. The function of this valve is to keep acid in the stomach and prevent it leaking back up the esophagus. When this valve doesn't work properly, reflux (leak-back) and heartburn can occur. Factors that contribute to gastroesophageal reflux disease include obesity, pregnancy, smoking and, in particular, hiatal hernia.
Hiatal Hernia
Hiatus or hiatal hernia is a condition in which part of the stomach herniates (protrudes) upwards into the chest through the hiatus (opening) in the diaphragm normally only occupied by the esophagus. This puts extra pressure on the LES valve preventing it from closing properly. As a result, stomach acid leaks into the esophagus causing heartburn. The underlying cause of hiatal hernia is unknown. Contributory factors include: obesity, pregnancy, constipation, abdominal muscle strain, and smoking.
Dietary Treatment For Heartburn
In cases of persistent heartburn, dietary improvements are not sufficient. So as well as advocating a digestion-friendly diet, your doctor is likely to recommend one or more of the following types of medication. Antacids to neutralize the acid in your stomach; H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors to reduce acid production; or prokinetics to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter and expedite stomach-emptying. However, if heartburn symptoms are mild and occur only from time to time, usually you will be advised to make the following changes to your diet.
If Overweight, Switch To A Healthy Weight Loss Diet
Obesity, especially excess fat on the chest and abdomen, is a common contributory factor to GERD and hiatal hernia, and therefore to heartburn. So if you are obese (BMI > 30), take steps to normalize your weight and thus reduce your risk or symptoms of heartburn. Choose a healthy calorie-controlled diet and customize it by following the eating tips below.
Stop Eating Large Meals
A big meal distends the stomach and causes a rise in the production of stomach acid. Both these factors lead to an increased risk of heartburn. So opt for 4-6 small meals or snacks, and allow a maximum of 3 hours between eating. In addition, choose foods that are "easier on the stomach" and more more easily digested.
Avoid Acidic Food
Reduce your intake of very acidic foods by avoiding items such as: tomatoes, tomato-based sauces, citrus fruits, rhubarb, gooseberries, unripe fruit, vinegar and acidic pickles or relishes.
Cut Down On Fatty and Spicy Food
Fried or very fatty foods, including candy, encourage indigestion and should be avoided or eaten sparingly. So go easy on butter, mayo, sausages, salami, pate, meat pies, and full-fat cheese. The same applies to very spicy food such as: black pepper, chili peppers, curry, mustard and other hot spices, as well as raw onions and garlic.
Avoid Carbonated Drinks
Fizzy or carbonated soft drinks cause belching and upward pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), increasing the likelihood of heartburn. The best drinks include: water, herbal teas or diluted non-citrus fruit juices. Please also note that some soft drinks (eg. cocoa, coffee, orange juice) are not helpful for heartburn as they can over-relax the LES, thus encouraging the backward flow of acid from the stomach.
Eat More Fiber, Especially Soluble Fiber
Constipation can lead to extra strain on abdominal muscles and increase the risk of heartburn. To prevent constipation, eat more high-fiber foods such as: oats, apples, pears, dried apricots and vegetables. When increasing fiber intake it's also important to increase your water intake by at least 40 fl oz a day.
Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol is not helpful to heartburn for several reasons. So take steps to reduce your intake to one unit a day, or avoid it altogether. Alcohol is also a source of non-nutritious calories and can contribute to overweight.
Other Digestive Tips
For digestive disorders like heartburn, some dietitians and alternative health experts recommend patients to eat (or cook with) digestion-friendly aromatic herbs like basil, camomile, caraway, dill, fennel, rosemary and thyme. They also recommend that you end each meal with a glass of herbal tea (eg. camomile, fennel) to reduce acidity and wind.
Lifestyle Improvements To Reduce Heartburn
There are several lifestyle changes that can help to reduce the symptoms of heartburn. One obvious one is to stop smoking, as tobacco smoke increases acidity in the stomach. Other recommended changes include:
Avoid placing extra strain on your abdomen or chest. Wear loose-fitting clothes, and do not overstretch or lift heavy weights.
Do not lie down after eating, and try not to eat anything for at least three hours before going to bed. The less there is in your stomach when you come to lie down, the lower the risk of heartburn.
To minimize night-time discomfort, raise the head end of your bed by about 3 inches by using bed-blocks or by placing a solid object under the bed-legs. This helps to prevent stomach acid from leaking backwards into the esophagus. Do not use extra pillows - you simply end up with a stiff neck as well as heartburn!
Heartburn symptoms can be caused by certain over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin, or other pain-killers or anti-inflammatories. So if you take this type of medication regularly, check with your doctor or pharmacist that it's safe to continue.
About the Author
Linda Smith B.Sc., RD, a qualified dietitian and nutritional consultant. She is part of the editorial team at Diet-i.com which provides a range of information about diet & nutrition to more than 5 million visitors per year.What Really Causes Acid Reflux
Acid reflux occurs because the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus fails to close properly. This muscle should work like a one-way valve, allowing food to enter the stomach, and stopping stomach acid from backing up.
Several factors will influence the way this muscle works. In infants and babies, the muscle may not close tight enough to keep the stomach acid in the tummy. This is commonly called colic. Colic can be miserable for both the baby and the family, but it generally disappears by about six to eight months of age, as the child's muscles develop and strengthen. Another common reason people suffer from heartburn is pregnancy, or being overweight. Both of these conditions cause extra pressure to build up along the diaphragm, and push on the lower esophagus. This can weaken the muscle, and promote acid reflux.
Almost fifty percent of heartburn sufferers have stomach muscles that work very slowly, this can result in delayed emptying of the stomach. When this occurs, food remains in the stomach longer than normal, increasing the chances that the stomach acid could splash up on the sensitive tissues of the esophagus.
Hiatal hernias can also cause the symptoms of acid reflux. The hiatus is a passageway in the diaphragm that permits food from the esophagus to pass into the stomach. A hiatal hernia is when a small part of the stomach actually protrudes up through the hole. This prevents the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus from working properly, and can lead to acid reflux.
Several common medications may also cause you to suffer the effects of acid reflux. Medications that irritate the stomach lining can aggravate the symptoms of acid reflux. The most common medications that do this are Motrin, Nuprin, and Advil. These medications are commonly used as pain relievers, and many sufferers report relief if the take these medications with food.
Different types of foods can also cause heartburn. If you suffer from this disease, keeping a food diary can help you discover the cause and prevent future suffering. Many people get into the habit of taking antacids several times each day. This only masks the symptoms of acid reflux, and provides short-term relief. If you find yourself using antacids more than three times each week, then it is time to visit the doctor. Several effective treatments will stop acid reflux, and prevent complications from starting.
Acid Disorder Reflux Explained In Simple Terms
Heartburn is a common problem in today's world. Acid reflux, gastric reflux, GERD, (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) are the many names heartburn has been given. Even though they all share many of the same traits, there are specific medical conditions that can be found in each. Acid reflux or acid disorder reflux is a disorder of the digestive tract.
Acid disorder reflux gives the unfortunate sufferer a burning sensation in their chest and stomach. This painful inflammation is the result of hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is used by the stomach to digest food. When the stomach and the esophagus canal is not separated by a mechanism known as the Lower Esophageal Sphincter, then the stomach acids backup into the esophagus. This refluxing motion causes an irritation to the sensitive tissues in the lower esophagus area.
Generally the esophageal sphincter muscle functions normally. It contracts and closes the esophagus area after you have had a meal. This closure prevents the stomach acid from rising up into the esophagus during the digestion process. However there are times when the Lower Esophageal Sphincter does not operate properly, then acid from the stomach reflux into the esophagus. This results in the condition that is medically known as gastroesophageal reflux disorder or acid disorder reflux.
The reasons for acid disorder reflux are varied. However they often occur with other health issues like allergies, enzyme deficiencies, gallbladder problems, hiatal hernia, stress and heartburn ulcers.
Food and beverage consumption is another possible cause. It is recommended that you avoid consumption of alcohol, chocolate, citrus fruits and drinks as these are known to relax the Lower Esophageal Sphincter or LES as it is called. Coffee, Tea and colas which contain caffeine must be eliminated from your diet as well. These beverages contain a substance called theobromine.
Fried and fatty foods have a tendency to slow down the digestion process. Eating large amounts of food at any time of the day can put a lot of pressure on your stomach muscles. When the food is kept in your stomach for a long period, there is increased pressure to the stomach muscles. This pressure build-up can weaken the LES.
As this is the valve that protects your esophagus from the stomach you need to take care that this weakened conditioned does not allow the digested food acids to pass into your esophagus. Therefore you should eat small meals throughout the day. By consuming large amounts of food, you cause the LES to relax and reflux food into the esophagus leading to acid disorder reflux.
Tomatoes and tomato-based products like sauces and tomato juice will also cause the LES to relax. These tomato-based products lead to an increase in the production of stomach acid. When they reflux into the esophagus, the acidity levels cause acid disorder reflux.
By watching what you eat and taking care of your health, you stand a better chance of avoiding acid disorder reflux from entering your life and causing you pain, and its' always better in the long to eat healthy anyway.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Current Treatment Of Abdominal Hernias
Hernias tend to enlarge in time and a quick medical consult could in some cases exempt the patients from surgery. But many persons with typical symptoms of hernia choose to wear a truss bandage instead of seeking professional help. The truss assembles a belt and supports the abdominal wall keeping the hernia from protruding. Hernias are caused by heavy lifting and high physical stress on the abdomen so all patients refusing surgery must consider avoiding strenuous activities.
In time, worse symptoms like nausea, vomiting and continuous pain appear and the hernial bag cannot be pushed back into the abdomen anymore. The patient is now forced to seek medical help and requires emergency operation.
The intra operator procedure in case of hernias is pushing the content back into the abdominal cavity, sewing the adjacent muscle and sometimes adding a nylon support material over the abdominal lining. Such supplementary materials are needed when the hernia is old, the abdominal wall is weakened or in case of elderly persons.
If patients with severe hernia symptoms do not seek immediate medical help, severe even life threatening complications may occur. In cases when the hernial content is an intestinal strain, the intervention becomes an emergency due to the existing danger. The trapped bowel fragment will cause an intestinal obstruction with potentially lethal damages to the entire body. A prompt surgery is most important as to prevent the stopping in the blood supply of the intestines. The involved bowel fragment could actually die.
In case of hiatus hernias, surgical operations are only performed in very severe situations. The common treatment is changing the eating, drinking and life schedule: patients should avoid lying down after meals, eat small and frequent meals, avoid alcohol and spicy foods, stop smoking and enhance many fibers in their diet.
Hiatus hernia’s symptoms can also be relieved by medication. Antacids neutralize the gastric acid and lower heartburns. Other assembling products decrease the acid production or some medicines even increase the efficiency of the esophageal muscles. When the stomach is rapidly emptied, the risk of heartburn is reduced.
Homeopathic medicine recommends products like Deglycyrrhizinated licorice for its action of reducing the effect of gastric acids.
Alternative medicine shows the benefits of visceral manipulation meaning restoring the stomach on its normal position.
About 85% of the hiatus hernias are successfully controlled with diet changes and medication. All abdominal hernias have a 10% rate of reoccurrence.
To avoid developing an abdominal hernia, do not lift heavy objects, keep your body weight under control and take moderate physical exercises.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Hiatal Hernias and Acid Reflux
A hernia is caused when the muscle that holds an internal organ in place relaxes, allowing for movement of that organ, which can cause a multitude of problems, and in some cases, and inordinate amount of pain. The hiatal hernia, simply put, occurs when the stomach slides from the abdominal cavity partially into the chest cavity.
We know by now that what causes acid reflux is the failure of the valve, or the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to close properly after food has been ingested, thereby allowing for the fluid to rise from the stomach into the esophagus. A hiatal hernia will weaken the LES, thereby making it more difficult for it to close properly, and thus allow for fluid to reflux out of the stomach.
Although it is clear that there is a direct correlation between acid reflux and hiatal hernias (most people discover that they have a hiatal hernia when they get examined by their doctor for acid reflux), they are not necessarily always seen in tandem with each other. You may have GERD without having a hiatal hernia and vice versa.
Common causes of a hiatal hernia are; pregnancy, obesity, tight clothing around the abdomen, constipation, chronic coughing, strenuous weightlifting, or abdominal injury. Many people who have a hiatal hernia do not know because unlike other forms of hernia, the hiatal hernia does not show itself physically, i.e. there are no bumps or protrusions recognizable on the outside of the body. Generally, hiatal hernias are more common amongst people over fifty; it is very rare for a young adult or child to have this condition.
In order to alleviate, or to reduce the intensity of these symptoms, you should do the following;
- Eat smaller meals more frequently
- Avoid acidic or spicy food
- Do not eat before going to bed
- Avoid heavy lifting
- Avoid bending after heavy meals (which you won’t be having anyways, because you’ll be grazing instead!)
- Lose weight
- Quit smoking.
There are a variety of medications that you can take as well including antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and but the easiest, most effective way to decrease your symptoms is to alter your diet to include foods that are easily digestible and avoid those that stimulate flare ups.
Surgery in the vast majority of cases is extremely rare as most people with hiatal hernias continue to live a normal life without discomfort or additional problems. With that said, however, you never want to ignore an issue that is going on in your body and will probably want to address it. If you are having trouble swallowing, a sore throat, wheezing or coughing, or difficulty breathing, then you most certainly will want to consult your doctor.
While most specialists recommend that you make the lifestyle changes noted above rather than resorting to pharmaceuticals as the first line of defense, you definitely should make an appointment to see your doctor if you have any persistent symptoms.
By Kathryn Whittaker. For information about using home remedy for acid reflux to reduce the effects of acid reflux syndrome please visit http://www.naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Whittaker
Hernia - a Common Illness that Affects Millions
Millions of people discover that they have hernia each year only in the USA, because it's a common disease that can affect anyone at any age. Hernia is not a severe illness, but if it is not treated it can lead to serious complications and pain.
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.
Hernia can appear in different parts of the body, but the most common place where it is encountered is the abdomen. An opening appears in the muscles of the abdominal wall and a part of the abdomen slips through it. The bulge that the abdomen creates can be seen, and it is more prominent when the patient coughs or sneezes and the abdominal pressure increases. This type of hernia is called hiatal hernia.
Other common types of hernia are:
-umbilical hernia, which is seen in young babies, and which appears when the belly button does not close properly after birth, and the abdominal contents slips through the opening -inguinal hernia, the result of the protrusion of the intestines out of the groin -femoral hernia, which occurs in the upper thigh -incisional hernia, that can appear after a surgery where the scar has not been closed properly.
The causes of hernia are weaknesses in the muscles. These can occur because of old age, or if the muscles are worn after many sporting activities. Those who practice a lot of sports, especially football and tennis often have a condition called sports hernia. Sports hernia is similar to hiatal hernia, but in sports hernia the lower abdomen protudes through the tear, and in hiatal hernia the upper abdomen.
Hernia symptoms are the appearance of the bulge in the affected place, and mild pain in that area. Many people can live with these symptoms so they choose not to treat their hernia, but it can get worse and lead to complications so the best thing to do is to consult your doctor, and if he advises you to treat it, then do it soon. Hernia can be treated by a simple surgery, so it's better to do it and get rid of the problem then suffer the pain for a long time.
If you want to find great information on different hernia subjects check out this link http://www.hernia-guide.com. You can find great content regarding Morgagni hernia, hernia surgery and many more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Groshan_Fabiola
Hiatal Hernia: Most Common Form of Hernia
Many types of hernia are encountered at millions of people in the world, but the most common form, that affects the majority of the hernia patients is hiatal hernia. Other types are: inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, and sports hernia. These types are less common then hiatal hernia.
Any type of hernia occurs when a part of an organ pokes through a tear that appears in the muscles near it. In the hiatal hernia's case, the upper side of the stomach gets in the chest through an opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdomen, and the hiatus is an orifice in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes in order to reach the stomach.
When hiatal hernia appears, the upper stomach and the end of the esophagus slip up through the hiatus because it has become weakened. This is called a sliding hiatal hernia. Most of the hiatal hernias are sliding hiatal hernias, but a few people suffer from a different form, called paraesophageal hernia, which is slightly more dangerous because the stomach can get strangled. Some call it strangled hiatal hernia for this reason. In paraesophageal hernia, the upper stomach and the esophagus don't slide through the hiatus together like in sliding hiatal hernia, but a little part of the stomach slips through it and can strangle the esophagus and shut its blood supply off.
The exact cause of hiatal hernia is not entirely known. It may happen after an accident where the chest or the abdomen of the patient is hit, or if the pressure inside the abdominal cavity is increased by repeated coughing or during pregnancy.
Hiatal hernia doesn't cause any symptoms or trouble in the body, so in most cases people have it and they don't even know about it, but they aren't exposed to any risks. The only time when treatment is required is when strangulation occurs. In this case the patient needs surgery to put the stomach back in its normal position. Hiatal hernia surgery can be done with the help of the laparoscope, an instrument used in many types of surgeries, that enables the doctor to operate without making a large incision in the chest, but through a very small one.
So, most of the people that have hiatal hernia can easily live with it without experiencing any problems, but if you know that you have it and you start to feel pain in the abdomen often or maybe even vomit, you may be in the danger of a strangulation, so consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
If you want to find great information on different hernia subjects check out this link http://www.hernia-guide.com. You can find great content regarding sports hernia, umbilical hernia and many more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Groshan_Fabiola
Hiatal Hernia Signs and Symptoms
When the upper part of the stomach pokes through the esophageal hiatus, because of a weakness in its muscles, hiatal hernia occurs. The esophageal hiatus is the opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus enters the abdominal cavity.
At the esophagus' end there is the lower esophageal sphincter which has the role of a valve - it only allows food to travel one-way. There is also a second valve, which is the esophageal hiatus. The two valves are synchronized so that food from the stomach does not return back where it came from.
If the muscles get weak and the abdominal pressure increases, eventually the hiatus will stretch so much that the upper part of the stomach will pass through it thus causing the hiatal hernia.
In the early phases hiatal hernia does not present any symptoms so mostly it is discovered when you visit your doctor for a routine check. But as the illness advances symptoms are starting to appear. Among these there is heartburn, epigastric pain and rarely some infections.
Paraesophageal hernia may cause some incarcerations or more acute epigastric pain, because of a strangulation. This type of hernia is rare but it is dangerous, life threatening maybe. Sometimes complications like stomach strangulation appear but in most cases this does not happen.
The most common hiatal hernias - the sliding hernias. These are not that dangerous, one of their bad symptoms is reflux esophagitis, which was noticed in any people that suffer from hiatal hernia. Some of them were also affected by Barrett's esophagus because of the hernia. Barrett's esophagus may present dysphagia or reflux symptoms.
Unfortunately hiatal hernia has parsyntoms that are multifactorial, like esophagitis and peptic ulcer. In extreme cases a carchinoma appear in the hernia or chest infections.
Doctors advise people who are suffering from hiatal hernia to try to lose some weight and not to wear tight clothes.
If you want to find more information on hernia or hiatal hernia, and also about their symptoms and how to treat them, please follow these links.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Groshan_Fabiola
Hiatal Hernia - A More Dangerous and Hard to Detect Form of the Common Illness
Hiatal hernia is not as widespread as inguinal hernia which is the most encountered form but it is the second most common type of hernia so you should know what it is and how it manifests in order to know if you are suffering from it and what to do in this case.
Most hernias occur in the abdominal area. Hiatal hernia appears in the upper parts of the abdomen, at the diaphragm. A simple definition of hernia is that it is a disease that appears when a certain part of the body loses its resistance, because it gets old in most cases, and another part of the body that is in contact with the first one slips through a small hole that appears in the first part. Depending on the body parts involved in this hernia can be divided into more types.
Hiatal hernia involves the diaphragm, which is the first 'organ' from the situation above, the one that gets weakened, and the stomach, its upper side in most cases is the second one. The stomach is supposed to stay under the diaphragm (the muscular membrane that separates the abdomen from the lungs), but the diaphragm has a small hole in it through which the esophagus passes. The area around the hole weakens and a part of the stomach passes through it and slides inside the chest cavity. There are two forms of hiatal hernia, sliding hiatal hernia, when the stomach slides through the opening in the diaphragm between the stomach and esophagus as mentioned above, which is the most common form, and rolling hiatal hernia, less encountered, when the stomach slides along the esophagus not between it and the stomach.
Unlike other forms of hernia you can't feel the bulge that appears because the stomach slides inside the body, so in order to detect it you need to pay close attention if any of its symptoms show up, which is not that easy because in most cases it shows no easy-to-see symptoms! It usually causes heartburn, a warm feeling in the chest, because of the acid in the stomach that re-fluxes backwards in the esophagus. Most people feel symptoms after eating and lying down, they start feeling bad, especially if they eat hot spicy foods.
If you experience any of the mentioned above try paying a visit to your doctor and ask for a control. These symptoms also appear because of indigestion so don't get alarmed until you receive diagnostic. It's important to detect hiatal hernia early because if it's left untreated it may lead to severe complications that include heart-attack! So periodically visit your doc and pay attention to the symptoms to avoid complications, but don't panic as soon as you get a little heartburn because there's a long way from that to a heart-attack.
If you want to find great information on different hernia subjects check out this links. You can find great content regarding hiatal hernia, inguinal hernia and many more at http://www.hernia-guide.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Groshan_Fabiola
Pain Management: Hiatal Hernia or Acid Reflux? - How to Cure Both
Acid Reflux - Hiatal Hernia
The Hiatal Hernia - Acid Reflux has been called the "great mimic", because it mimics many disorders. A person with this condition can get such severe pains in their chest that they think they are having a heart attack. They may think they have an over acid stomach because they will regurgitate stomach acid after they eat, or their stomach may hurt so badly they will think they have an ulcer. This is just a sampling of the symptoms that may occur from this disorder.
We always recommend that you see a medical professional to make sure there is nothing seriously wrong.
What is a Hiatal Hernia?
When you swallow, your food passes down a long tube known as the esophagus into the stomach. This tube must pass through a muscle known as the diaphragm, which is located near the bottom of your rib cage.
This opening in the diaphragm, which permits the esophagus to pass through, is regulated by a sphincter muscle (or "valve"), which relaxes and opens, when we swallow, to permit the food to pass through the diaphragm and into the stomach. This sphincter or valve closes to prevent stomach acid from coming back up into the throat.
A hiatal hernia-acid reflux occurs when the top of the stomach rolls or slides up into this opening and becomes stuck there.
Naturally, when part of the stomach is forced up into the diaphragm the sphincter muscle cannot close properly.
Thus, stomach acid may travel back up into the esophagus causing burning sensations (heartburn), esophageal spasms, inflammations and ulcers. (known as the Acid Reflux)
Your diaphragm is a muscle. The diaphragm has three large openings for passage of the aorta, esophagus, and vena cana. When you don't use your diaphragm to breathe, it weakens, and becomes flaccid.
This allows your stomach to be pushed through your diaphragm by gas pressure in your digestive tract in what is known as a hiatal hernia. The resulting pain is often confused for the onset of a heart attack.
A flaccid diaphragm most often results from chest breathing or shallow breathing.
The digestive tract has a series of one way valves to keep food material moving in the correct direction: the esophageal valve in the esophagus, a sphincter muscle valve between the esophagus and the stomach. The pyloric valve between the stomach and the small intestine, the ileocecal valve between the small intestine and the large intestine, and the Houston valve in the descending colon.
When one or more of these valves malfunctions, pressure from gas in the intestines may force food material to back up, pushing stomach acid into the esophagus.
The interesting discovery that we made with our studies in kinesiology was the relationship between these valves and the diaphragm muscle.
The valves generally do not malfunction as long as the diaphragm muscle remains strong and in balance. Once the diaphragm muscle weakens one or more of these valves may malfunction leading to a hiatal hernia and/or acid reflux.
Once the causes of mock heart attack (hiatal hernia) and acid reflux are properly identified, the preferred treatment becomes apparent. Both conditions can be corrected by doing diaphragmatic breathing exercises that both strengthen the diaphragm muscle and force the stomach down and out of the diaphragm.
Technique in Practicing Using The Diaphragm
1. Place your hand on your stomach When you take an in-breath your stomach goes out. 2. When you release your breath your stomach goes in.
This may be difficult to do at the beginning. To practice, you can lie on your back and put a book on your stomach. Concentrate with your in-breath pushing the book up and letting it fall when you release your breath.
This exercise can be done on the spot in whatever position you happen to be, standing, sitting, or lying down.
What I have discovered is that when I went to bed at night and did not feel very well, I would put my hand on my stomach and concentrate when taking an in breath to push my stomach out and feel it relax when I let my breath out. I would do this slowly.
The ultimate answer is learning to breathe with your diaphragm all the time. This involves regular practice of diaphragmatic breathing, and a continuing consciousness of how you are breathing.
As you continue this over a period of time, diaphragmatic breathing will become automatic.
A further benefit of diaphragmatic breathing is improved airflow into the lower parts of the lungs and better oxygenation
Once again we have found that helping your body to heal itself through muscle and energy balancing often provides satisfactory results in the long run.
Proper diaphragmatic breathing is important for our overall well-being. Proper diaphragmatic breathing assists us to properly oxygenate our body, particularly during physical exercise, reducing chronic fatigue due to shallow breathing.
It also helps us to maintain proper muscle tone in our diaphragm. This in turn helps us to hold our abdominal organs in the proper position and to reduce abdominal and chest pains. This is often helpful after eating to reduce gastronomic distress.
Another important feature of the Barhydt basic balances is that they always drive the body-mind toward equilibrium (or balance).
A person cannot harm himself or herself by doing these balancing exercises. Just do the exercise if you feel it may be helpful; it generally takes just a few seconds in any case. This makes basic balancing exercises appropriate for self-help.
Another benefit I have discovered when I learned to breathe using my diaphragm is that I can eat most anything like tomato-based foods (ketchup, spaghetti sauce), citrus fruits, mint, and even chocolate within moderation.
Visit http://www.Lovinglife.org for tips and tools for stress management and pain management. Visit my blog at http://www.lovinglifehealth.org Dr. Elizabeth Barhydt, A Muscle Stress Specialist on How To Relieve Stress, Pain and Learning Blocks Emotionally and Physically without Drugs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Barhydt
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