Living with a hiatal hernia is no easy feat.  It often means that you have to re-organise your lifestyle and habits in order to accommodate the disease; but living with a hiatus hernia should not take over your life.  Living with ‘Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease’ or ‘GERD’ may require some adjustments at first but with some sensible planning; you can manage the hiatal hernia very effectively, if you are prepared to follow a few rules.

 

Hiatal Hernia | An accurate diagnosis

There’s no point in guessing – the only way to find out whether you have a hiatal hernia is to see a doctor.  The doctor will in turn give you a referral for an ‘Endoscopy’.  This procedure is usually done under general anaesthetic and is an exploratory examination of your digestive tract from the mouth.  The probe has a small camera attached to its tip, allowing the Gastroenterologist to see exactly what is happening inside your stomach and to make an accurate diagnosis.  From there, a treatment plan is designed for you to enable you to live with a hiatal hernia.

 

Hiatal Hernia | Effective treatments

If you’ve been recently diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, here are some great ways to successfully manage your condition on a daily basis.  If you’ve been living with GERD for a while, the following tips are great refresher ideas to better control the pain and heartburn associated with living with a hiatal hernia.

A hiatal hernia is a condition you may have to live with for many years, so it is best to be organised and to be consistent with your treatment from early on.

• Pain management

The pain of hernias can vary from being mild and occasional to being severe and intense all the time.  Depending on the gravity of your hiatal hernia, you may be required to take prescription medications to alleviate the symptoms.  These medications must be taken regularly and as prescribed.  If you miss a tablet, the burning can cause great discomfort.  So make sure that you always keep a couple of spare tablets with you, just in case.

Altering your lifestyle

• Food

The prospect of living with a hiatal hernia can be daunting.  It can seem like the hernia is controlling you at times, and taking all the fun from life.  For example, there are many foods you will have to do without for a while.  Spicy food is definitely off the menu – at least until the hiatal hernia is under control.

Acidic food stuffs such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, chillies and other foods are proven to exacerbate the condition and increase the acid reflux.  You may need to do a bit of research into which foods will agree and disagree with you.

• • Alcohol

Keep wine and other alcoholic beverages to a bare minimum.  Over-indulging will irritate your hiatal hernia and the pain will not be worth it.  Alcohol can be very acidic and can worsen the heartburn.  Fizzy drinks should be avoided.  Carbonated drinks create a lot of gas which when expelled by belching, causes an acidic reflux into the oesophagus.

• • Smoking

Smoking is not good for anybody, but for people living with a hiatal hernia, the chances of health complications are greatly increased.  Smoking can aggravate the hernia to such a point, that it becomes ulcerated.

An ulcer is basically an open wound which can continue to enlarge, causing a great deal of problems and pain.  Internal bleeding is a very real threat with a stomach ulcer and some ulcers bleed so severely, that sufferers require a blood transfusion to save their lives.

Once a hiatal hernia is ulcerated, it is very difficult to treat and heal.  The heartburn is much more intense and long-lasting.  Smoking will hinder the recovery process and it is in your best interest to quit smoking.

• • Sleeping

Many hiatal hernia sufferers dread going to sleep at night because of the burning sensation when they lie horizontally.  You may find it much more comfortable to sleep propped up by pillows.  This allows the gastric juices to settle and allows the hiatal hernia a few hours to repair itself.  Doing this every night can make a big difference.

• • Antacids

Antacids are a hiatal hernia sufferer’s best friend.  They come in liquid form or tablets/lozenges and are available from many shops.  They are an indispensable quick-fix treatment and eases the heartburn fairly rapidly.  Keep a few packets around the house, the office, the car, jackets etc… for when you need quick relief from the pain.

 

Hiatal Hernia | Finding alternatives

It’s important to be realistic about your condition and keep your hiatal hernia under control.  This does not mean that you should live a limited life.  Finding practical alternatives to the foods you can no longer eat is one the best way to treat a hiatal hernia.  Write a list of everything you can eat and keep it handy, make a copy and keep it in your bag or car.  It will be useful when you are shopping for food.

Hiatal hernias are very common and can occur in anybody from a newborn infant to the elderly; and many people cope with it very well.

Finding alternatives to regular habits is the key to living a full and enjoyable lifestyle whilst living with a hiatal hernia.

 

A Hiatal Hernia or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is an abnormal protrusion of a muscle in the stomach at the point where the oesophagus passes through the diaphragm in the stomach cavity.  The searing heat associated with a hiatal hernia is caused by gastric juices rising up to the upper part of the stomach, back through the Oesophagus and sometimes making its way into the throat.  This regurgitation of acid is also commonly known as acid reflux.  A Hiatal Hernia is a painful disease causing a severe burning sensation in the chest area, known as heartburn.

 

Hiatal Hernia | Who is most at risk?

A hiatal hernia can occur in children and adults alike.  It is indiscriminate of age, is not visible on the outside of the body and and can be present in infants from birth as a congenital condition.  Children who suffer from hiatal hernias will often be treated for gastroesophageal reflux and it is a common condition in many people aged 50 and over for many reasons.  It can also be a symptom of other health issues, some of which are listed below.

Hiatal Hernias can also occur in animals.  It is not uncommon for cats and dogs to develop gastroesophageal problems and reflux.  Usually treatment and pain relief is required.

 

Hiatal Hernia | Causes of Hiatus Hernia

A hiatal hernia can occur for many reasons.  The first reason, as mentioned above, can occur due to a congenital defect from conception as a result, many people live with a hiatus hernia from birth onwards.  Other people develop a hiatal hernia due to the following reasons:

• Obesity

Carrying excess weight can put extra pressure on and around the diaphragm, the    oesophagus and the stomach.  It can squeeze the stomach to such a point that it becomes very easy for gastric acid or bile to reflux.

• Weak muscles

The diaphragm is a thin layer of muscle tissue which supports the oesophagus and keeps it separate from the stomach sac.  A hiatal hernia can be caused by a slackening of the diaphragm; and when this occurs, the sagging creates a kink in the surrounding stomach muscles.

A hiatal hernia can also develop as a result of physical inactivity which can also  cause the muscles surrounding the stomach to weaken.

• Smoking

Hiatal hernia sufferers should eliminate smoking from their lifestyle altogether.   There is evidence that smoking is a risk factor in adults developing hiatal    hernias. In existing hiatal hernia sufferers, smoking causes immense irritation to   the lining of the stomach and can increase the acidity in the stomach.  More acid    means more burning and more pain.

• Ageing process

Hiatal hernias are often caused by nature simply taking its course.  As people age, muscle health and function declines and can cause hiatal hernias as a result.      People of advancing age usually develop hiatal hernias in their 50’s.  It is        unfortunately related to the body getting older.

 

Hiatal Hernia | Symptoms of a Hiatal Hernia

The obvious sign of a hiatal hernia is the burning sensation from the upper part of the chest, into the lower part of the throat.  Another sign of a hiatal hernia is difficulty in swallowing properly.  It may feel painful to swallow depending on where the hernia has displaced in the stomach.

Exercising can sometimes exacerbate a pre-existing condition due to the stomach muscles contracting and squeezing during physical activity.

 

Hiatal Hernia | How to diagnose a hiatus hernia

To diagnose a hiatal hernia, the doctor will usually recommend an Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or more commonly known as an Endoscopy.  A small camera is inserted down the throat into the stomach to identify the exact source and cause of the pain.

Another method of testing for a hiatal hernia is with a Barium Swallow X-ray, from which a number of gastrointestinal causes and diseases can be identified.

There are various hiatal hernia treatments on the market.  Many prescribed medications work very well but can cause side-effects.  There are also other natural alternatives to living with and managing a hiatal hernia.  Click here for the best hiatal hernia treatments.

Complications of Hiatal Hiernias or Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) are some of the most troublesome diseases to remedy.  They can cause constant discomfort and really hinder a person’s lifestyle.

 

What are hiatal hernias?

A hiatal hernia is the displacement of a muscle in the upper part of the stomach, usually involving the oesophagus and diaphragm as well.  The muscle protrudes off the stomach wall, causing the sufferer pain.  In addition to this, hiatal hernias cause acidic gastric juices to flow back up through the oesophagus, causing severe burning, known as heartburn.  Once a confirmed diagnosis is made, it is important to follow a treatment plan.  If left untreated, hiatal hernias can develop into serious health complications.

 

Hiatal Hernias | When things go wrong

• Ulcerations

Hiatal hernias can incur complications when the hernia becomes ulcerated from stomach acid washing over it constantly.  The lesions can continue to expand, eroding further into the lining of the stomach and are extremely painful.

• Anemia

Large hiatal hernias and ulcerations can bleed.  Over time, the bleeding can deplete the body of the essential iron it needs to work effectively to such a point that some people may require blood transfusions.

• Surgery

Surgery for hiatal hernias is often done as a last reosrt and carries all the risks associated with being under general anaesthetic.  Sometimes scarring from surgical procedures can complicate health issues further.  For example, a common side effect of surgery on hiatal hernias can result in the narrowing of the oesophagus, making it very difficult for food to descend into the stomach.  This can sometimes trigger the sphincter to spasm and cause vomiting.

 

Hiatal Hernias | Treatments

Hiatal hernias can stay unresolved for years and managing it on a daily basis is crucial to avoid unwanted complications.  There are a number of effective treatments nowadays for hiatal hernias; some are available as prescribed medicines only and others such as antacids, are available over the counter at pharmacies.

There are a many ways of managing the pain and symptoms of hiatal hernias and some of the best hiatal hernia treatments can be done without the assistance of any harsh drugs.  Click here for some effective and easy ways to learn how to best manage the condition in order to avoid complications of hiatal hernias.

 

The best hiatal hernia treatments are easy to follow.  Hiatal hernias, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux is a painful and debilitating disease which can take years to resolve.  In severe cases, surgery is an option, although it is not recommended and is done as a last resort.

There are various over-the-counter and prescription medications from the doctor available to relieve that unrelenting burning sensation in the upper part of the stomach known as heartburn, but it is advisable to restrict the amount of harsh drugs, which can cause further damage to the lining of the stomach, and instead follow hiatal hernia treatments with a gentler approach.

 

Best hiatal hernia treatments | Weight control

Hiatal hernia treatments such as keeping your weight down to within an acceptable Body Mass Index (BMI) range will alleviate the pressure on the oesophagus and stomach, thus easing the flow of the gastric juices which cause the burning.

Smoking further irritates a hiatus hernia and can prolong its healing process.  It can also interfere with other hiatal hernia treatments and should be eliminated completely.

Best hiatal hernia treatments | Simple tips

A sensible diet is one of the best hiatal hernia treatments.  Many people living with a hiatus hernia cope well with their condition just by managing their diet.  Spicy food should be avoided and eating small meals will limit the production of the stomach acid.

Exercising after a meal will exacerbate the hiatal hernia, so bending or lying down whilst the stomach is still processing food is not good.  Remaining upright and still after each meal allows gravity to naturally settle the gastric juices.

Steer clear of all fizzy drinks.  They often cause extra gas within stomach which causes belching.  This discharge of gas causes a potent acidic reflux to rise through the diaphragm, the oesophagus and into the throat, causing the heartburn.

Sleeping can be a challenge for hiatus hernia sufferers because lying horizontally causes the acid to flow upwards.  An effective hiatal hernia treatment is to sleep as upright as possible, propped up by pillows.

 

Best hiatal hernia treatments | Antacids

The simplest of  hiatal hernia treatments is antacids.  They are commonly available from all supermarkets, chemists, gas stations etc… and sufferers never leave home without them.  They come in liquid form or lozenges.  Antacids neutralise the acid and can give a good amount of relief from the burning sensation.

Living with a hiatal hernia is not easy but following some of the drug-free suggestions noted above can really make a big difference.  Taking preventative measures can be some of the best hiatal hernia treatments.