January 21, 2011
Hiatal Hernia Symptoms
It’s important to know and be able to identify Hiatal Hernia symptoms so that the condition can be properly treated and prevented from escalating to a state of bleeding.
Symptoms of a Hiatal Hernia often closely resemble heartburn. They include a burning sensation in the chest, acid reflux (or stomach acids making their way up into your mouth), burping, hiccups and chest pain. However, this chest pain is different from the chest pain of a heart attack and it’s vital to differentiate between the two.
Hiatal Hernia chest pain is often the result of spasms due to the displaced stomach. The pain can be extreme, but it is often just pain, or pain accompanied by heartburn symptoms. The pain of a heart attack is often accompanied by shortness of breath and pain or numbness in an arm or hand. Knowing and understanding what these different symptoms indicate can be the difference between life and death. If you’re experiencing chest pain associated with shortness of breath, seek medical attention immediately.
Causes
A Hiatal Hernia happens when a portion of the stomach becomes displaced, and is forced through an opening in the diaphragm. Although it can be difficult to point to specific causes, some risk factors that may make you more susceptible to a Hiatal Hernia are smoking, obesity, and aging.
Hiatal Hernias that occur in younger children or infants are often a congenital condition that they were born with.
Solutions
Hiatal Hernias are rarely serious conditions, but shouldn’t be ignored. They can often be somewhat painful, and so should be dealt with promptly. Surgery is seldom necessary, as your body can often heal itself of a Hiatal Hernia. However, there are a number of things you can do to help speed the healing process up.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a Hiatal Hernia, eat smaller meals, but do so more often. That way you’re giving your body the same amount of nutrition, just over a longer period of time, so that it can better digest the food and extract nutrients from it without getting overly stressed. This helps reduce the impact of eating on your already strained digestive tract.
Also, don’t eat right before you lay down. This will help prevent food from gathering in your stomach, and moving back up into your esophagus where it can cause irritation. You really shouldn’t eat less than two hours before bed if you are battling heartburn or a Hiatal Hernia. That way you won’t have any food or acid lying in wait when you do decide to go to bed.
Additionally, quit smoking. Smoking is very detrimental to your health, including your digestive system. Quitting will help your body heal at a more natural rate, and will help prevent a future Hiatal Hernia from occurring.
You can also reduce stress in your life to help your hernia heal. Although stress can’t be directly blamed as a cause for Hiatal Hernias, it can certainly hinder your body’s ability to heal from one. It tends to cause an overproduction of stomach acid, which can irritate your esophagus and stomach, slowing the healing process. So, do things to help yourself relax, like getting a massage or adding regular exercise to your routine. These things will help you tom maintain a healthy mind and body.
For more information on Hiatal Hernia symptoms, visit refluxremedy.com today!
Filed under Hiatal Hernia by admin
September 24, 2010
Back Pain and Hiatal Hernia
Whether you suffer from symptoms of hiatal hernia that involve lower back pain or not, this report can help you.
First, did you know there are 2 main types of hiatal hernia?
1. A sliding hiatal hernia
2. A rolling hiatal hernia
Both types of hiatal hernias can trigger back pain issues.
The ?sliding hiatal hernia? shows up about 95% of the time. This kind of hernia happens when the part of your throat (esophagus) which is normally even with, or below, the main muscle (diaphragm) that separates your stomach area from your throat area, moves above . . . ?sliding-up some stomach along with it.
A sliding hiatal hernia is a result of a weakened or damaged opening between your throat and stomach sometimes referred to as the gastroesophageal junction.
The ?rolling hiatal hernia?, is also called the ?paraesophageal? hiatal hernia. This happens when your stomach literally protrudes (herniates) right through the opening that separates the throat area and stomach area. This opening is called the esophageal hiatus. The ?rolling? hernia refers to a significant part of the stomach actually rolling up alongside the esophagus, but without disturbing the natural opening where the stomach and throat are kept separated.
So many health issues can lead people to false conclusions. A hiatal hernia is especially deceptive because many of the symptoms like back pain, seem to suggest different causes, or health problems all together
Back pains from hiatal hernias can turn into dull chest pains; heart palpitations and even shortness of breath.
Neuro-gastroenterologists have discovered that the whole gastrointestinal system, Central Nervous System (CNS) and brain are all interconnected by a vast and complex electro-chemical nerve matrix.
One of these major nerve connections is called the ?vagus nerve? Once this nerve is exposed to acid reflux or irritated by gastrointestinal juices; it can cause bronchial spasms, affect circulation and trigger an aching back by inflaming, or constricting large back muscles, resulting in a lot of back pain issues.
It?s not uncommon for people suffering from hiatal hernias to not notice any back pain symptoms, palpitations or breathing problems. Usually they think all they have is acid reflux, heartburn or a gastrointestinal problem.
As you can imagine having a ?sliding? or ?rolling? hiatal hernia would easily allow nasty tasting bile salts, stomach acid and heartburn air up into your throat, mouth and even sinus cavities . . . not a pleasant though is it.
Fact is your back pains maybe the least of your worries.
Here are some hiatal hernia ?risk factors? that could also trigger back pain and other problems too:
? Being over weight
? Constipation
? Frequent coughing
? Vomiting
? Sneezing
? Pregnancy
? Heavy lifting
Some of the proven exercises that relieve pressure on your diaphragm and hiatal hernia will cure your back pain and other problems as well. The secret is to address the root cause of as many symptoms as possible. Because hiatal hernias can have so many symptoms that seem unrelated, a holistic or naturopathic approach is often the only, or best, way to a lasting solution . . . certainly worth looking into!
You were born to heal,
Todd M. Faass?
Health Ecologist
Filed under Hiatal Hernia by admin