Hiatal hernias occur when part of your stomach protrudes upward into your chest through a gap at the end of your esophagus. Surgery is the only way to repair a hernia, but most hiatal hernias do not require surgery because they produce few, if any, symptoms and little, if any, health risk. Generally, doctors and patients are content to manage the symptoms.
Know The Symptoms
Large hernias cause stomach acid to flow into the esophagus. This causes digestive problems such as heartburn, belching, chest pain and nausea. If the protruding part of the stomach becomes twisted, it can block the esophagus and cause trouble swallowing and severe chest pain.
Trigger Activities
According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of hiatal hernia tend to become worse when the body is positioned a certain way. Avoid activities that trigger symptoms. These include leaning forward, straining, and lifting heavy things. Lying down may also cause symptoms to worsen, but using a foam wedge to elevate your head will help keep stomach acid where it belongs.
Helpful Eating
Small meals are best; if you eat too much, your stomach stretches, and a stretched stomach can push the hernia further. Avoid foods that cause your stomach to produce acid. These include alcohol, spicy foods and other substances. Fatty foods can make reflux worse; they are slow to empty into the intestines, and they cause the bottom end of the food pipe to open wider. This gives acid both more time and a larger window to back up into your throat.
Good Behavior
After you eat, wait a few hours to lie down or do any strenuous exercise. Quitting smoking will help, as smoking increases acid reflux and reduces saliva, which protects your food pipe from stomach acid. The Mayo Clinic also advises reducing pressure on your stomach by losing weight and avoiding tight-fitting clothes. Stress relief will also help because it aids digestion and reduces reflux.
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