This blog takes a comprehensive look at Hiatus Hernia and suggests self-care tips as well as some home remedies.
Disclaimer: I am no Doctor. These tips are from a person who suffered and yet learnt to live with a Hiatus hernia (combined with GERD symptoms) and is now actually doing pretty well due to knowing what to do and what not to. So, if you too want to save your life from becoming hell, do read on.
SECTION I: General information on Hiatus Hernia that Doctors provide you/ is easily available on the internet::
Causes of Hiatus Hernia:
- Obesity
- Poor seated posture (such as slouching)
- Frequent coughing / Extended period of coughing
- Straining with constipation / chronic constipation
- Frequent bending over or heavy lifting
- Smoking
- Heredity / Congenital defects
- Pregnancy
Symptoms of Hiatus Hernia:
- Heartburn (pain below heart -> abdominal pain)
- Regurgitation (reflux)
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Belching
- Hiccups
- A soar taste in mouth
- Vomiting
- pain in ears (!)
Diagnosis for Hiatus Hernia:
Upper GI Endiscopy or Barium X-ray
Allopathic Treatment for Hiatus Hernia:
Prescription-strength antacids such as Lansoprazole (Prevacid), Omeprazole (Prilosec), Pantopropazole (Pantocid), or Rabeprazole (Aciphex, Rabium Plus, Razo).
Alternative Treatments for Hiatus Hernia:
The most commonly used alternative medicinal methods for treating hiatus hernia include Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Nature care or Naturopathy, Magnetic therapy, Herbal treatment, Acupressure, Aromatherapy, etc. Apart from these, various dietary restrictions, nutrition and supplements and Yogic Asanas are advised for treatment of hiatus hernia.
-->>Self-Care for Hiatus Hernia:
- Lifestyle changes:
- No Meals within 2-3 hours of bedtime (that also means no milk at bedtime)
- No Large meals (eat smaller meals more frequently)
- Avoid lifting heavy items or bending down after eating anything
- Lose weight, if overweight
- Exercise more.
- Sleep on an incline, with head of bed raised 4-6 inches on blocks/bricks (but do not use pillows since they increase the pressure on the abdominal area)
- Choose standing activities after a meal rather than sitting or reclining.
- Eat more fibre-rich diet (very important)
- Eatables/drinks to avoid (or take in moderate quantities):
- Alcohol
- Chocolates
- Fatty and fried foods
- Spicy foods
- Milk products (except fat free milk and yogurt)
- Caffeine
- Tomato and tomato products
- Confectionary products (condiments,cakes and biscuits), pickles, rice puddings, over cooked vegetables
- Orange juice and colas
- Pizza, Pasta
- Non-veg food
SECTION II: Information on Hiatus Hernia that doctors won't provide you::
Other symptoms of Hiatus Hernia:
- Coughing (persistent, usually at night)
What else to take care of:
Maintain a Healthy Digestive System
- Avoid items that can cause indigestion.
- Be wary of constipation. Take more water and fibrous food (e.g. cucumber), have a regulated daily routine, avoid stress/anger esp. in the morning, do more walking & exercise. Take pro-biotic drinks and yogurt regularly.
Protect yourself
- Avoid cough at all costs. Coughing puts strain on abdomen and agggravates the hernia. Try taking lozenges or chewing licorice when you are coughing.
- Also avoid actions that put pressure on abdomen such as:
- Bending, slouching, lifting,
- Sitting cross legged, or with legs on another chair
Other foods to avoid / take in moderate quantities:
- Onions, garlic, citrus fruits (but take Vitamin C supplements to compensate for deficiency)
- Food Items made of Besan (gram flour), of excess Maida (white flour)
- Milk - if you have glactose allergy
Avoid certain medications, if possible:
Aspirin and ibuprofen; sedatives and tranquilizers;anti depressants and antispasmodics. Also avoid taking enzyme supplements as they contain hydrochloric acid.
Some Home Remedies:
- Drink diluted carrot juice half an hour before meals.
- Eat fresh yoghurt and sip buttermilk along with meals.
- Drink ginger tea 1 or 2 times daily.
- Have an apple immediately after breakfast
- Honey (1 tbsp with water 2-3 times a day)
- Brahmi (source: http://health.yahoo.com/alternativemed-therapies/gotu-kola/healthwise--d04465a1.html)
Other Lifestyle changes:
- Get an easy chair / recline if you really want to sleep in those 2 hours immediately after the meal.
- While at work, take more breaks for 5 minute each and walk up and down.
- Do not wear tight fitting clothes such as low waist Jeans, tight undergarments, trousers or belts.
- Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation or yoga, these may help reduce acid reflux. "Siddhasana" yoga exercise is said to help a lot (source: http://stanford.wellsphere.com/digestive-health-article/siddhasana/696773)
- Practice "back stretch" exercise in morning, though only as much as it's comfortable.
Finally
There is a way to get rid of the hernia itself - a good chiropractor may be able to do it for you.
Useful Facts:
- Hiatus Hernia per se does not cause trouble, it's only when GERD symptoms arise that it starts making your life hell.
- Most people with acid reflux do not have a hiatus hernia. Also, most people (50%) with a hiatus hernia do not have symptoms of acid reflux.
- Saliva is more anti-acid than water. Eatables that enhance saliva production help reduce acid in stomach (e.g. fennel). Do not get into habit of spitting when you produce extra saliva due to frequent throat-clearing.
- "Heavy" water - water laden with excess amounts of minerals such as Zinc, calcium, magnesium etc does seem to aggravate the reflux symptoms.
- Fibre rich food - incl. cucumber, fruits etc - is imperative to have so that indigestion and constipation can be prevented, and in turn GERD can be controlled.
