A hiatal hernia, also called a hiatus hernia, results when a portion of the stomach pushes up through the hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm, into the chest cavity. The condition commonly occurs during middle age and may involve symptoms such as heartburn, chest pain and difficulty swallowing. Dietary changes relieve or reduce symptoms. Exercise to lose weight and avoid symptoms helps, except for activities that put pressure on the abdomen.
Treatment
In most cases of hiatal hernia, treatment only requires diet, mild exercise and antacid or acid relieving medication for heartburn. Uncommon complications cause the entire stomach to move into the chest and may require surgery to position the stomach properly. Doctors may suggest surgery to strengthen an esophageal muscle when heartburn and difficulty swallowing become persistent.
Trigger Foods
A diet for hiatal hernia includes limiting or avoiding foods that trigger acid reflux. The condition may affect the lower esophageal muscle, which does not contract properly after eating and allows stomach acid backup. Certain foods relax the muscle and cause heartburn. Offending foods may include fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint, spearmint, caffeine and alcohol, Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology explains. You may have your own trigger foods and need to find out which ones cause symptoms to limit or eliminate them from your diet.
Small Meals
Eating small, frequent meals instead of two or three large meals during the day relieves symptoms, according to Hershey Medical Center at Penn State. Smaller meals result in faster digestion and less acid secretion in the stomach to reduce the risk of heartburn. Stay in an upright position after eating and avoid lying down, napping or sleeping two to three hours following a meal. This gives food time to digest and avoids stomach acid backup.
Helpful Foods
Protein foods may help strengthen the esophageal muscle to prevent acid reflux, the University of Maryland Medical Center points out. However, choose lean meats with visible fat trimmed off, poultry without fatty skin, fish and low-fat or fat-free dairy products to reduce heartburn inducing fats. Fiber-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, provide easy digestion to avoid heartburn. Avoid citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruit, and fried vegetables, which may contribute to acid reflux.
Activities
Exercise plays a role in reducing the risk for a hiatal hernia, but avoid strenuous activities if you have the condition. Bending, stooping, lifting heavy objects and abdominal exercises can put pressure on the abdomen and promote acid reflux. Excess pounds also put pressure on the abdomen.Try to maintain a healthy weight through your diet and moderate exercise. Activities such as walking or biking, along with a diet consisting of the low-fat foods that help prevent heartburn, aid in weight management.
