How to Identify, Treat, and Cope with Your Hiatal Hernia

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By dorigillman
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Location of Hiatal Hernia

Anytime a body part pushes into a place where it does not belong, it is called a hernia. A hiatus is the opening in your diaphragm that separates the chest from the abdomen. When everything is functioning properly, the food pipe or esophagus connects through the hiatus to the stomach. Sometimes the stomach bulges up into the chest through the hiatus and that is what we call a hiatal hernia.
A simple hiatal hernia is a very common disorder of the stomach. It can be very uncomfortable but the majority of them can be easily and painlessly treated. If you are diagnosed with one, do not worry too much. Most hernias are cured with simple medication.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Watch your weight!

Observe symptoms of the hiatal hernia. These include: sour taste in your mouth, severe heartburn, horrible indigestion, weight loss or gain, and difficulty swallowing. Symptons come and go. Antacids provide only temporary relief.
Step 2

Weight gain is a cause of hiatal hernia

Identify some of the causes of a hiatal hernia. Some are: genetics, an injury to the stomach, pregnancy complications, extreme coughing fits, heavy weight gain, and difficult bowel movements.
Step 3

Realize that there are two kinds of hiatal hernias. The majority of them are “sliding” hernias and require simple medication as treatment. The more serious and rare kind is called ”paraesophageal” hiatal hernia. This is when the hernia pushes part of the actual stomach up through the hiatus and esophagus. This can cause strangulation of the stomach, is a very serious condition, and must be treated surgically.
Step 4

Woman over 50!

Know that you are most at risk when you are over 50, overweight, a woman, and/or a smoker.
Step 5

Consult with a gastroenterologist about your condition, even if you have only one or two symptoms.
Step 6

Have an upper endoscopy to confirm a diagnosis. Refer to my link to my article on upper endoscopies.
Step 7

Get treated with a simple over the counter drug like Prilosec. My doctor prescribed Prilosec twice a day before eating. I had a simple hiatal hernia and will continue Prilosec for the rest of my life. My doctor takes it, too!