Many patients are unaware of their hiatal hernias because they have no symptoms. Others, however, experience heartburn and indigestion because the hernia--an opening in the diaphragm between the chest and abdomen--allows the top part of the stomach to protrude into the chest. The defect allows acid and food to regurgitate from the stomach into the esophagus, a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Dietary and lifestyle changes may be enough to relieve the patient's symptoms, but medications and surgical intervention are sometimes needed, according to the Merck Manual.
Step 1
Raise the head of the bed by placing 6-inch wood blocks or bricks under the legs to create an incline that can be helpful in stopping stomach contents from backing up into the esophagus. Use a wedge pillow to elevate your head, if you prefer.
Step 2
Avoid certain activities to help reduce reflux. After eating, patients should not lie down, exercise or bend over for two to three hours. Wearing loose clothing may also be helpful.
Step 3
Eat a healthy diet that limits or eliminates certain foods and beverages to reduce heartburn and indigestion. According to Aurora Health Care, substances that tend to relax the muscle that prevents reflux include peppermint, coffee, chocolate, fatty foods and alcohol. Citrus, tomatoes, carbonated beverages and hot peppers irritate the esophagus and should be avoided.
Step 4
Change your eating pattern to reduce the amount of food and fluids in your stomach at any given time. Eat four to six small meals a day and limit fluid intake during meals, according to Aurora Health Care.
Step 5
Quit smoking, since smoking weakens the muscle that controls reflux of stomach contents. Patients should quit smoking to relieve their GERD symptoms, according to the Merck Manual.
Step 6
Take over-the-counter antacids and acid blockers to relieve symptoms of GERD, according to the Merck Manual. If symptoms continue, a prescription medication may be needed. Proton pump inhibitors, including esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole, block the production of acid in the stomach. Histamine-2 blockers, such as cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine and ranitidine, may be less effective than the proton pump inhibitors.
Step 7
See your health care provider if medication and lifestyle changes do not reduce your symptoms. Surgery may be necessary, especially if the hernia strangulates, causing severe pain, according to Aurora Health Care. Surgical intervention involves tightening the top of the stomach around the esophagus and correcting the defect. The surgeon may operate through one abdominal incision or through several tiny incisions if she uses a tiny video camera and special instruments.
Things You'll Need
- 2 wooden 6-inch blocks or bricks
- Medication, optional
