The pain or discomfort of a hiatal hernia, also called a hiatus hernia, usually results from reflux of gastric acid, or acid reflux. You may feel the burning sensation of heartburn in your upper chest and throat, the uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating or the urge to belch. Chest pain and difficulty swallowing may occur. An unsettling feeling of nausea may result from these symptoms, but severe symptoms may also indicate serious complications that require medical attention. Diet usually treats a hiatal hernia and surgery is rarely necessary.
Weakened Tissue
A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper portion of the stomach pushes up through a hole, or hiatus, in the diaphragm into the chest cavity because of weakened tissue in the stomach. The condition commonly develops in middle age. Risk factors include obesity and smoking. Hiatal hernias may have no symptoms and doctors often diagnose it during routine examinations. The most common symptom, acid reflux, occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, but a hiatal hernia is not the only cause of acid reflux. The reflux happens more often because of the weakened tissue, MedlinePlus explains.
Avoid Triggers
Medications neutralize stomach acid and help strengthen an esophageal muscle to reduce or prevent stomach acid backup. Doctors usually recommend an acid reflux diet, which consists of low-fat foods and avoiding trigger foods. The triggers of acid reflux may vary because people respond differently to foods. Common triggers include fatty or fried foods, caffeine, chocolate, mint flavorings, carbonated beverages and alcohol. Eating frequent small meals, rather than three large meals, during the day helps ease digestion to lower the risk of acid reflux. Avoid eating within 2 to 3 hours before bedtime or lying down.
Natural Foods
Fruits, vegetables and grains, particularly whole grains, aid an acid reflux diet for hiatal hernia patients. However, citrus fruits and tomatoes contain acidic properties that may encourage acid reflux. Consume fresh, steamed or lightly cooked vegetables and avoid fried or creamy-style vegetables, Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology advises in its acid reflux diet. Whole grains contain more fiber and less fat than refined grains to aid digestion and decrease the risk of acid reflux. Choose whole-grain bread, high-fiber cereal, whole-grain pasta, brown rice, barley and oatmeal.
Protein, Drinks and Snacks
Eat low-fat protein foods. Focus on lean meat with all visible fat trimmed off, skinless poultry, fish and reduced fat dairy products, including skim milk, 1-percent or 2-percent milk, low-fat or fat-free yogurt and other low-fat or nonfat dairy foods. Drink decaffeinated non-mint herbal teas, non-citrus fruit juice and water instead of caffeinated or carbonated drinks. Snacks and desserts should have 3 g fat per serving or less.
