Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Hiatal Hernia Treatment

When suffering from hiatal hernia there is a variety of different options for treatment.  Most will recommend to try changes in many aspects of your lifestyle before moving onto medicine and or surgery.

First thing to do is change some of your activities.  When suffering from hiatal hernia heavy lifting and strenuous activates such as continually bending over can aggravate your hiatal hernia so avoid these activities.  Next watch how you are sitting and make sure you are not slouching when sitting or walking around.  Also when going to sleep it is better to sleep on an incline, this is easily done by placing blocks under the top the bed where your head is.  You just need to lift the bed up 4-6 inches.  Also after eating it is advisable for you to go for a walk or any activity to keep yourself standing while your food processes.  Also losing weight with more exercise will also stave off hiatal hernia symptoms.

Your next option is to improve your diet.  Unfortunately you might be avoiding all of your favorite foods.  Try taking caffeine, chocolate, fried foods, fatty foods, peppermint and alcohol out of your diet.  Also you need to eat smaller meals and stop eating at least two hours before you go to bed.

If these hiatal hernia treatments don't clear up your symptoms there a variety of over the counter drugs that can be used.  When suffering from acute symptoms reach for antacids like Tums and Mylanta.  When being proactive look for antacids such as Zantac.

If none of the above treatments work you can go to your doctor for prescription drugs.  You will receive prescription antacids such as Prevacid and Prilosec to try and ease the pain.

The next step down the line is surgery especially in cases of a strangulated hiatal hernia (complication of a hiatal hernia when part of the stomach that is herniated becomes twisted or pinched by the diaphragm). Hiatal Hernia Surgery is performed by tightening the opening in the diaphragm using either open or laparoscopic surgery methods. Laparoscopic surgery became very popular recently due to reduced risk of infection and minimal post-surgery hospital stay.

Hiatal Hernia Overview

Hernia generally involves penetration of the internal organs through the protective muscle walls that surround them. Depending on the organs involved in causing the disorder, there can be many different types of hernia. Hiatal hernia is a common type of hernia that occurs when the stomach wall presses against the esophageal hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm. The hiatus acts just like a valve, preventing the content of the stomach from reaching inside the esophagus. When the hiatus is weakened, the content of the stomach can be pushed upwards inside the esophagus, causing hiatal hernia. When the disorder occurs in the area above the diaphragm, it is referred to as sliding hiatal hernia. When the disorder occurs in the area below the diaphragm, it is referred to as paraesophageal hiatal hernia.

Hiatal hernia affects both sexes equally. Although it can occur at any age, the disorder has the highest incidence in elderly people. Hiatal hernia is also common in overweight people and in people who frequently sustain intense physical effort (weight lifting).

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. Hiatal hernia can be revealed by X-ray scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and computerized tomography. Nowadays, the disorder can be quickly diagnosed with the means of a laparoscope.

Unlike other forms of the disorder, hiatal hernia rarely requires surgery. In fact, in many cases hiatal hernia doesn’t require any medical treatment at all. When patients diagnosed with hiatal hernia complain about heartburn, doctors usually prescribe antacids or other similar medications. Corrective surgery is only required for patients with more serious, complicated forms of hiatal hernia. The surgical intervention is safe and quick, allowing patients to recover completely within a few days after the operation.

Uncomplicated hiatal hernia can be effectively cured by making lifestyle improvements. An appropriate diet and a healthy eating schedule have proved to be very effective ways of correcting hiatal hernia. Also, people who suffer from hiatal hernia are recommended to avoid weight lifting and straining in order to prevent complications.

Although it is very common, hiatal hernia is one of the least threatening forms of hernia and in many cases the disorder disappears on itself. However, if the symptoms generated by the disorder are ongoing or very intense, it is best to inform your physician about this.

Natural Hiatal Hernia Cure - Home Remedies For Heartburn

Hiatus hernia also known as diaphragmatic hernia is an annoying and serious health problems that should be treated immediately. Natural hiatus hernia cure is a more preferable approach rather than medical approach as natural approach can address the problem right to the root and leave no side effect.

1. The Symptoms:
Hiatal hernia occurs very often in overweight people, intense weight lifter, and older people. What can be so annoying are the symptoms that include heartburn, abdominal pain and nausea. Tea has worked for some people to ease the symptom, something you might want to try.

2. Making a Change in Your Lifestyle:
Lifestyle has been attributed as one of the common causes for various health problems. Avoid alcohol totally as this can worsen your hiatus hernia, as alcohol can increase stomach acid.

Overweight is another common cause. You want to lose some weight if you are overweight. Drinking a lot of water can help as well. It is quite surprising to see many people drinking coke, coffee, tea, alcohol except water. Smoking also can worsen your condition, stop smoking right now.

3. Honey:
Honey is a simple natural remedy for many health problems. Honey has been known as an effective cure for blocking infection, wipe out bacteria, reducing pain, ease inflammation, and improve blood circulation. Taking a teaspoon of honey or drink it with water can help a lot to cure your hiatus hernia.

4. Red Apple:
The red apple is an amazingly simple natural hiatus hernia cure. Eating red apple directly in the morning after breakfast, and you will be surprised with the progress you make in a course of a month, some people have been reported to have been permanently cured.

Natural approach has become more a preferable approach in treating this condition rather than medical approach, some of the examples are honey and red apple.