Nature and Symptoms

Also known as hiatus hernia, paraesophageal hiatal hernia is a protrusion of the stomach into the thorax due to a tear or weakness in the diaphragm. This condition is often called the ‘great mimic’ because its symptoms resemble many other disorders, such as heartburn, shortness of breath, or even chest pains, which can be mistaken as heart attack.

While hiatus hernia can occur anytime as a result of some factors, it affects mostly middle-aged people and is more common in developed countries. This is likely a result of unhealthy diets, higher rates of obesity, and less physically active lifestyles.

Causes

Paraesophageal hiatal hernia is caused by several factors including diet, heredity, weight, lifestyle, and habits. Pregnancy and obesity can push the top of the stomach upwards, leading to hiatal hernia. Other physical causes include violent vomiting (especially when forced out as in anorexics), hard sneezing or coughing, heavy lifting, and straining during defecation.

A lack of fiber in the diet causes constipation and straining during defecation. This increases intra-abdominal pressure to the stomach which can result in hiatus hernia. Unhealthy lifestyles such as excessive drinking,smoking, and stress may also contribute to the condition.

Risks

Occasional mild discomfort and feelings of bloating or acid reflux are common, and need no urgent medical attention.

However, an enlarged hernia can pose two major threats – incarceration and strangulation. Incarceration is where the hernia is tightly stuck and repeatedly squeezed beside the esophagus, causing intense pain. Strangulation is more serious and life-threatening, because the hernia is in a position to cut off air circulation and blood supply. In rare cases, the hernia can lead to esophageal injury and even cancer.

Treatment and Prevention

In less serious cases, doctors advise patients to elevate the head of the bed and avoid lying down when full. Medications may be prescribed for stress, acid reflux, and constipation.

Hiatus hernia can be prevented through healthy habits and proper nutrition. Consumption of high-fiber foods prevent constipation and reduce risk of hiatal hernia. Avoid coffee, alcohol, and cigarettes. When lying down, elevating the head and torso can alleviate symptoms. Weight loss is advisable in overweight individuals. Physical activities should exclude heavy lifting. Most of all, individuals should relax and avoid stressful situations.

These practices will alleviate the condition and help one to avoid extreme solutions, which can include surgery.

For more information about Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia visit refluxremedy.com today!

There are several causes for acid reflux. Of the thousands of sufferers of acid reflux daily you would be surprised to discover how the causes for acid reflux in different individuals vary. Many suffer from acid reflux as result of a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia is an abnormality of the stomach that occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the upper part of the stomach move above the diaphragm. The diaphragm, amongst other functions, serves as the muscle that separates the stomach from the chest. When this muscle is functioning properly, the diaphragm helps to keep stomach acids in the stomach. If you are suffering from a hiatal hernia, acid then has the space to move past the stomach into the esophagus causing acid reflux disease symptoms.

There are ultimately two types of hiatal hernias, para-esophageal and sliding:

• In cases of para-esophageal hernias, the gastro-esophageal junction stays put but part of the stomach squeezes up into the chest finding its way next to the esophagus. This type of hernia makes home in the chest cavity. Para-esophageal hernias have been known to cause complications such as strangulation and incarceration. During incarceration, the hernia is stuck and is actively being squeezed. During strangulation there is a lack of blood supply which can lead to tissues that are involved in the strangulation dying. In order to stop the strangulation surgery must be the resort.
• The other type of hiatal hernia is a sliding hiatal hernia. Approximately 90% of hiatal hernias are sliding hernias. A sliding hiatal hernia occurs when the gastro-esophageal junction and part of the stomach literally slides into the chest. This usually occurs as a result of weakening anchors of the diaphragm to the esophagus from increased pressure in the abdomen or longitudinal esophageal muscle contractions. Part of the stomach may only slide into the chest while swallowing or a part of the stomach may make way into the chest and permanently reside there. When you swallow, your esophagus contracts, shortens and pulls on the stomach. After swallowing, your junction falls right back into starting position.

There are no concrete known causes of hiatal hernias, however, it is speculated that hiatal hernias may be a result of a weakening in the tissues that support the area. Weakening of the tissues can be due to vomiting, pregnancy, wearing tight clothing that add pressure to the abdomen, sudden heavy lifting, tears or holes in the diaphragm, age, obesity and smoking.

Over half of hiatal hernia sufferers never complain of any symptoms. If there are any symptoms experienced, it usually simulates the discomfort that is most often associated with acid reflux such as heartburn, which can be experienced in the throat, chest, and lower abdomen, regurgitation, which is the expulsion of stomach contents from the mouth, sour or bitter taste in the mouth, hiccups, burping or coughing. Though it is a less experienced symptom there have been cases where sufferers have complained of nausea.

Try eating smaller meals, avoiding foods that are your acid reflux triggers, losing weight and drinking lots of water to lessen symptoms. If you have any other questions please feel free to visit refluxremedy.com today.

The best treatment for hiatal hernia is to cure your chronic heartburn, acid indigestion or gastro-esophageal acid reflux (GERD), which is what causes your hiatal hernia to flare up in the first place.

Think about what a hiatal hernia actually is . . . it’s your stomach stuffed with partially digested food pushing up further and further until it shoves your stomach up into your throat area.

Sounds gruesome doesn’t it?

Hiatal hernia isn’t fun, but you probably already know that or you wouldn’t be here reading this, would you? The hiatal opening is at the top of your diaphragm where your esophagus goes through. Once your stomach slips up through there the treatment of the symptoms of hiatal hernia isn’t going to reverse the problem.

Once your stomach bulges upward through this opening the only way to get your stomach back into your abdominal area is to help your digestive system to relax as a whole, which means you need to help your digestive system finish digesting the contents of your stomach.

For immediate treatment you can do heel drops, deep breathing and stretching.

A heel drop works by standing on the tip of your toes, hands to your sides and drop down to your heels, repeatedly. Jumping on a trampoline may help as well. The idea is to help the gut relax and by using gravity to jar your stomach back down into the abdominal cavity where it belongs.

The only treatment I am aware of for hiatal hernia is physical treatment or nutritional treatment. Another thing you can try is to use one of those big yoga balls. They are around a 2.5 to 3 foot diameter rubber ball used for exercise and stretching.

First make sure you have room to tumble in case you roll off the yoga ball. Here’s what you do . . . squat – as low as you can, preferably resting on your heels, with your back on the ball and using your hands to stabilize it, or else get help if you aren’t that flexible, and slowly lean back against it. Gradually lifting your behind off your heels and gently rolling backward, allowing the yoga ball to support your body. If you’re successful you will be arched parallel to the floor with your head hanging over. Now carefully bounce with your leg action until the stretch is complete.

This treatment should drop your hernia back out of your hiatal opening. Deep breathing treatment is recommended to help you focus and relax, this also helps expand your abdominal or chest cavity as well, giving more space for your stomach to drop down.

So treatment for hiatal hernia depends on if it’s an emergency of not, if not then treatment should be based on preventative and maintenance measures by supplementing with ionic minerals, probiotics and enzymes, which will also help you improve you immune, enteric and digestive systems.

You were born to heal,

Todd M. Faass

Health Advocate

Hiatal hernias occur when a part of the stomach organ relocates to another area. The new area may be within the chest or beside the esophagus. This is allowed to happen when a weak diaphragm opens wider than normal and permits the stomach and lower esophageal sphincter to move upward. There are two kinds of hiatal hernias: sliding and rolling. These types are differentiated based on the location of the stomach.

It is essential that you become aware of the signs of a hiatal hernia. Being able to classify the symptoms will enable you to detect this condition early. Signs of a hiatal hernia often appear to be the same symptoms of gastroesphageal reflux disease (GERD). These symptoms may include burning in the throat or chest, regurgitation, chest pain, sore throat and hoarseness. Pain in the chest and stomach areas are very common ailments associated with a hiatal hernia.

Chest Pain

Chest pain is a major sign of a hiatal hernia. The chest pain experienced can range in level of intensity, but is usually accompanied by heartburn, another sign. This pain is commonly located behind the breastbone but can affect the lower and upper sections of the torso. Chest pain can be confused as a symptom of a heart attack or other cardiac condition. If you encounter numbness in the arms along with shortness of breath, you may be at risk of a heart attack.

Heartburn

Hearburn is a key sign of a hiatal hernia. Heartburn is caused when stomach acid backs up to the esophagus causing irritation and pain. There is increased vulnerability with a hiatal hernia because this condition pushes the stomach and lower esophageal sphincter into the chest and allows acidic fluid to flow backwards through the esophagus. Heartburn pain can be severe and is worsened by lying down. Chest pain, a burning sensation, bitter taste, chronic coughing and difficulty swallowing are just some of the signals of heartburn.

Hiatal Hernia Signs and GERD

The signs of a hiatal hernia strongly resemble the signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The signs of these two conditions can sometimes confuse you. Hiatal hernias can contribute to GERD but do not have to be present for GERD to develop. GERD is caused by gradual or sudden changes to the lower espohageal sphincter that fails to stop acid from refluxing into the esophagus.

What You Can Do

If you are experiencing any of these signs, you probably are suffering from a hiatal hernia. To reverse the effects of a hiatal hernia there are a number of treatment options that require lifestyle changes. By eating smaller meals, refraining from eating right before bed and not smoking or drinking a lot of alcohol, you reduce the presence of symptoms. You can also change your diet by limiting fatty foods and foods that are spicy and difficult to digest.

If you seek more information on the causes, signs, symptoms or treatments of a hiatal hernia, visit refluxremedy.com now. There you can get all of your questions answered and move forward with your life.