| Description | | | | propped up to keep food down in the stomach, |
| | | | eating smaller meals late in the evening, and |
| In between the mouth and the stomach, the | | | | avoiding snacking-all of which can worsen |
| esophagus passes through an opening in the | | | | irritation of the esophagus and stomach. |
| diaphragm called the hiatus. If the tissue | | | | |
| around the hiatus weakens, part of the | | | | A number of medications can improve symptoms. |
| stomach or esophagus may push through the | | | | These include antacids, Hz receptor blockers |
| opening into the chest cavity-a condition | | | | (Zantac, Pepcid, Tagamet), omeprazole |
| known as a hiatal hernia. | | | | (Prilosec) and asapride (Propulsid). Surgery |
| | | | is required to repair the condition only in |
| While many people with hiatal hernias do not | | | | situations where the pain is very severe and |
| even know that they have the condition, it | | | | all other conservative methods have failed. |
| can be problematic if left untreated. Because | | | | |
| the valve that separates the esophagus and | | | | Complementaryand Alternative Treatments |
| stomach is weakened, stomach acid can move | | | | |
| backward into the esophagus and cause pain | | | | Nutrition and Supplementation |
| and inflammation. This is known as reflux | | | | |
| esophagitis, and is the cause of most | | | | Heartburn is a symptom of a hiatal hernia. |
| symptoms related to hiatal hernia. | | | | Drink a glass of water every three hours |
| | | | during the day, whether or not you're |
| The cause of this weakening of the hiatus is | | | | thirsty. At the first sign of heartburn, |
| unknown. Researchers believe that increased | | | | drink a large glass of water. This should |
| pressure in the abdomen-caused by obesity or | | | | relieve the discomfort. |
| other factors-stresses the tissue, causing it | | | | |
| to weaken or tear. | | | | Rather than eating three large meals, eat |
| | | | smaller meals throughout the day. Avoid |
| Signs and Symptoms | | | | spicy, fatty, and fried foods, and stay away |
| | | | from coffee, alcohol, tea, and cola. A |
| In many cases, hiatal hernias produce no | | | | high-fiber diet prevents constipation and the |
| symptoms. If symptoms are present, they | | | | resulting straining. Nutritionists recommend |
| usually include: | | | | the following daily supplements:proteolytic |
| | | | enzymes plus pancreatin (as directed on |
| Heartburn | | | | label)-improves digestion (Do not give to |
| | | | children.)papaya enzyme (2 tablets 3 or more |
| Pain in the upper abdomen that may radiate | | | | times daily)-aids digestion and healing; use |
| into the neck; especially after large meals | | | | chewable tablet formzinc (50 mg, not to |
| or when lying down | | | | exceed a total of 100 mg from all |
| | | | supplements)-repairs tissue; use lozenge |
| Conventional Medical Treatment | | | | formvitamin A (50,000 IU for 1 month, then |
| | | | 30,000 IU for 2 weeks, then reduce to 20,000 |
| Because the majority of hiatal hernias are | | | | IU; do not exceed 8000 IU daily if you are |
| asymptomatic, a great number go undetected. | | | | pregnant)-combats excess acid; use emulsion |
| Fortunately, a small hiatal hernia is | | | | formvitamin B complex (100 mg twice daily, |
| unlikely to cause any health problems and is | | | | with meals)-aids in proper absorption of |
| not considered dangerous. If you are | | | | nutrientsvitamin C (up to 1500 mg)-builds |
| experiencing discomfort that may be | | | | immunity and heals tissues |
| associated with a hiatal hernia, see your | | | | |
| physician, who can take a barium X-ray of the | | | | (Consult your healthcare provider regarding |
| area to locate the hernia. A physician may | | | | the duration of treatment. |
| first recommend sleeping with your head | | | | |