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.

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

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