Hiatal Hernia symptoms, exercise, treatment

Hiatal hernia or gastric hernia

A hiatal hernia or hernia in the stomach is a form of unnatural protrusion of a part of the stomach through a small opening in the shield called the hiatus. A person who has a hiatal hernia may not have symptoms or difficulties or the symptoms are minor. But in a smaller percentage there are people who have problems and symptoms such as: heartburn, vomiting, esophageal inflammation, more or less bleeding from the mucous membranes or so-called. strangulation. Gastric hernia is more common in women, usually increases with age, can be associated with obesity or obesity, pregnancy, can be caused by abdominal injuries, intense coughing or sneezing, vomiting, and even the consequences of stress when lifting weights.

Although the cause of hiatal hernia is generally less known, hereditary factors can be significant. It would be good to consult a doctor if you constantly feel nauseous or vomit, suffer from severe heartburn, if you have trouble breathing or severe abdominal pain. Due to gastroesophageal reflux disease, discomfort and other symptoms when it comes to hiatal hernia some patients also feel anxious and it is certainly good to talk to your doctor about everything. Only in severe forms of the disease is surgical therapy recommended.

Hiatal hernia and disease symptoms

The symptoms of this disease may be slight, but in severe forms of gastric hernia, nausea, vomiting, severe heartburn, breathing problems, severe abdominal pain may occur. Hiatal hernia can also lead to complications in the form of minor or major bleeding and anemia, disruption of circulation in the upper stomach especially if the hernia is larger, and acid reflux from stomach to esophagus can lead to mucosal damage, chronic esophageal inflammation and scarring. If food cannot pass through the digestive tract normally, there are difficulties in swallowing, pain behind the sternum and choking.

Prolonged reflux of stomach acid is dangerous due to damage to the esophageal mucosa and can in the worst case lead to cancer. In some cases, a hernia can lead to cardiac arrhythmia. There are two types of hiatal hernia: mobile hiatal hernia (most common, most people have no symptoms or they are insignificant) and the so-called. paraesophageal hernia (so – called rolling hiatal hernia, a rarer form, the symptoms are not common, but there may be a trap that is a serious health condition, the so-called. strangulation and requires emergency surgery). Combinations of these two types of hiatal hernia are also possible.

How is a hiatal hernia treated, does exercise help

Most often, especially if the hiatal hernia does not present major difficulties, the hernia is not large, there are no signs of the disease and even therapy is not required. If the gastric hernia is large or it is a paraesophageal hernia, treatment is needed, especially to avoid further problems and dangers to the esophagus. In rare cases, surgery is needed, with the help of a laparoscope, if complications such as ulcers or narrowing of the stomach occur or if strangulation has occurred. Most often when it comes to hiatal hernia drugs are prescribed to reduce stomach acid reflux, it is recommended to avoid foods that irritate the stomach lining and changes in lifestyle habits that help reduce or neutralize stomach acid. Weight loss will be followed by fatigue and constant tiredness. It is good for patients to raise their headboards and avoid lying down after meals.

Exercises can be done in consultation with the doctor to help relax the muscles and alleviate the symptoms. Some patients find it helpful to take warm water as soon as they wake up, a tablespoon to two of apple cider vinegar diluted in a glass of warm water, or simply freshly brewed chamomile tea 3 to 4 times a day. Cinnamon is said to be good against heartburn, especially after a meal, add it as often as possible to the diet, it is also good to add half a teaspoon of quality cinnamon powder to a glass of warm water. Do not try some form of self-adjustment of the stomach especially by unprofessional people as this can be very dangerous and end up with more severe consequences. Proper nutrition is especially important in a way to neutralize excessive production of stomach acid and to maintain optimal body weight. It is necessary to be careful to eat several smaller meals a day, to avoid overeating. It is better not to wear tight clothes and belts so as not to worsen the acid reflux. It is also not good in the case of hiatal hernia to eat just before bedtime, at least three to four hours before bedtime is not recommended to eat, nor is it good to lie down immediately after meals. It is good to avoid foods that can cause heartburn, and these are tomatoes, citrus fruits, onions, garlic, caffeine, thein, fatty and spicy foods, mint, chocolate, dairy products, alcohol and carbonated beverages.

Food should be chewed thoroughly and swallowed slowly. Water and liquid should not be drunk before or after a meal. It is harmful to smoke cigarettes, be sure to stop smoking. Regular moderate exercise is important. It is especially important to avoid lifting heavy objects, to avoid exercises that can strain the area where the hernia is located, exercises that can stretch the abdominal area, or avoid exercises that use the upper abdomen (eg push-ups, weight lifting) . Walking, lying running, swimming or cycling will come in handy.

source: healthline