How to Manage Pain From a Hiatal Hernia

An internal image of a hiatal hernia

The severity of pain that is associated with a hiatal hernia (also called a hiatus hernia) varies tremendously from case to case, which is part of why it's so difficult to properly manage such pain. The symptomatology varies as well, which is yet another hurdle in the pain-treatment process. It is, however, possible to treat pain for a hiatal hernia effectively.

Instructions

1. Get the right pain medication. If you are having minor pain, or even moderate-but-bearable pain, consider treating it with over-the-counter pain relievers. If your pain is more severe or cannot be managed effectively with OTC pain medications, see your doctor and ask them for prescription pain medication.

2. Determine if you have hiatal hernia-related GERD, otherwise known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Ask your doctor about this and figure out whether it is an issue for you. Many sufferers of hiatal hernias also deal with GERD, which is often-times the true source of a lot of the pain experienced by the patient.

3. Eat nothing for at least four hours before going to bed. Although this can be a difficult lifestyle change for some patients, it's also a very effective way of limiting the pain and symptoms that are connected with a hiatal hernia, and is a healthy decision for anyone to make.

4. Manage your portions. Eating too much at one time can cause painful backups in the stomach area of those with a hiatal hernia. Avoid overeating and you'll avoid further pain.

5. Chew your food well. The better you chew your food, the less that food will aggravate your hiatal hernia.

6. Skip the spicy foods. Spicy foods can exacerbate the pain associated with a hiatal hernia. So, skip the spicy, acidic foods, especially at night.

Tips & Warnings

• If your doctor isn't willing to prescribe you medication to treat your hiatal hernia pain, find another one who will.

• If, through normal treatment options, you're unable to successfully manage the pain and other side effects of your hiatal hernia, consider getting the surgical procedure which is available to fix the problem altogether.

• Don't take aspirin if you suffer from a hiatal hernia without first checking with your doctor. Doing so may cause unpleasant or even dangerous side effects.

• Don't get surgery to fix your hiatal hernia without first exhausting every other possible course of treatment.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish