Health Care

What is a hiatus hernia?

Your diaphragm is a sheet of muscle across your abdominal area below your lungs which assists with your breathing. Your esophagus, that is, your gullet through which food passes from your mouth to your stomach, passes through a small opening in your diaphragm. This is the weakest part of your diaphragm. A hiatus hernia occurs when a section of your esophagus and stomach protrudes through that opening upwards into your chest cavity.

The symptoms of a hiatus hernia usually include heartburn and swallowing difficulties. At times Inflammation of the esophagus can occur and this is an additional complication.

If you have any of these symptoms indicative of a hiatus hernia, there are a number of things you can do to help these. However there are two important provisos:

• you should not assume that because you have some of these symptoms, that you do actually have a hiatus hernia - you should see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis;

• if you are diagnosed with hiatus hernia and are attempting some of the following suggested treatments and there is any change in your symptoms, or they get worse, you should see your doctor immediately.

What can you do for your hiatus hernia?

• instead of having three larger meals each day eating several smaller meals will help by putting put less pressure on your stomach;

• do not lie down after eating. You should always wait at least two hours, preferably longer before lying down. By waiting this long it means that most of your food will have passed through your stomach into your small intestine and so is no longer likely to flow back into your esophagus. This also means that you should not eat before going to bed at night - avoid supper;

• you should avoid foods and beverages that aggravate symptoms of reflux - these include citrus fruits, alcohol, and caffeine-containing drinks such as tea, coffee and cola;

• wait at least two hours after eating before you do any exercise;

• for sleeping, raise the head of your bed by about four to six inches. This will help stop stomach acid from moving upwards into your esophagus while you are asleep;

• if you are able to do so, avoid using pillows in your bed as raising your head can often put additional pressure on your abdomen;

• where possible, avoid bending over or stooping, especially after eating;

• do not attempt to lift very heavy objects that cause you to strain;

• avoid wearing tight clothing that restricts your chest and stomach.

• if you are a smoker - give up! Smoking increases stomach acid reflux.

• losing weight is one of the most important things you can do to reduce the pressure on your stomach and reduce symptoms. If you are overweight, you should discuss with your doctor a safe weight loss plan suitable for you.

Building some or all of these lifestyle changes into your daily routines should bring about improvement in the symptoms of your hiatus hernia. But you should always remember the two provisos given above:

• if you have acid reflux, and perhaps some associated pain you should not just assume that you have a hiatus hernia - you should consult your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis;

• if, after diagnosis and while trying some suggested treatments, you notice significant changes in your symptoms - you should consult your medical practitioner.

About the Author
John Vanse has a network of health related sites. For more information about hernia and hernia treatments - see: Your Hernia Solutions For information about establishing and maintaining your healthy lifestyle see: The Better Health Guide

Acid reflux has forced me to suddenly wake up countless times, in a state of panic, choking on my own acid and gasping for breath.

Nothing can really describe the burning bile feeling, or the taste it leaves in your mouth as you try not to gag and throw-up. I have had to stick a pinch of toothpaste into my mouth and leave it there to try and cut the bile taste.

I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia as a teenager, which may contribute to acid reflux. The burning acid had left me alone for most of my 20’s. However, a high stress job and a subsequent gain in weight and lack of exercise brought the acid reflux back on with a vengeance in my 30’s.

When I started having almost constant waves of heartburn and acid indigestion, sitting upright at my desk, I knew it was time to see the doctor.

At that time, I had never heard of acid reflux.

He told me that more than 60 million people suffer from frequent heartburn, acid indigestion or GERD (Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease).

Acid reflux describes the regurgitation of acid back up the throat. It can also lead to more serious medical conditions that may require hospitalization.

My doctor explained this happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly and stomach contents leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus. The LES is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach. The esophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. The fluid may even be tasted in the back of the mouth, which is called acid indigestion.
Heartburn that occurs more than twice a week may be considered GERD, and it can eventually lead to more serious health problems.

When I finally went and saw my doctor, I was having almost constant heartburn and acid indigestion.

He further explained that symptoms are usually worse at night when the person is lying flat and acid flows easily from the stomach back up the esophagus.

Anyone, including infants, children, and pregnant women, can have GERD.

I was told to make some lifestyle and dietary changes. They included:

1. Using a wedge pillow to elevate my body at bedtime
2. Eating plenty of fiber and drinking lots of fluids.
3. Eating small meals and eating slowly.
4. Not lying down for at least 1-2 hours after eating.
5. Losing extra pounds. Added weight causes extra pressure on your stomach and can irritate symptoms.
6. Wearing loose clothing. Tightly fitting clothes put extra pressure on your stomach.
7. Not exercising for at least one hour after eating.
8. Avoiding the following: alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, chocolate, carbonated beverages, spices, fried and fatty foods, tomato products, citrus, and peppermint.

I am a non smoker and I don’t drink that much. I do drink a fair bit of coffee however. The real culprit for me though has been drinking fruit juice of any kind before bed. When I have, my acid reflux has been significantly worse.

As I have made many of these changes to my lifestyle, I have seen some relief.

The elevated pillow works wonderfully. I have also started taking proton pump inhibitor medication, which reduces acid production in my stomach. I have been told surgery may be an option down the road.

Drew Harris owns and operates Acid-refluxsite.com, a one-stop-shop directory for those looking for information on acid reflux and its related issues. Multiple pages of resources, referrals and expert articles. http://acid-refluxsite.com