A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach pushes up through an opening around your diaphragm. This can occur when the opening, called the hiatus, is abnormally large or weak. You can have a sliding hernia, where the stomach slides in and out of this opening, or a hernia where part of your stomach stays pushed up through the opening, which is more likely to cause complications. If you experience nausea with your hiatal hernia, a juicing diet may help.
Nausea with Hiatal Hernia
Although a hiatal hernia can cause nausea, this is not common. Many times this type of hernia causes no symptoms, but when symptoms do occur they often include gastroesophageal reflux, belching, bloating, heartburn, a sour taste in the back of your throat and stomach or esophagus pain. Nausea with a hiatal hernia could indicate that your hernia may be strangulated or you may have an obstruction, both of which are serious, so you should speak with your doctor if you experience this side effect.
Juicing and Nausea
If you do experience nausea with your hiatal hernia and your doctor says it is not serious, he may put you on a clear liquid diet, such as a juice diet, and have you progress to a diet of soft food and then regular food as your symptoms improve. When on a clear liquid diet you will want to make sure to remove the pulp from your juice.
Benefits
Following a juicing diet or other clear liquid diet can help keep you from becoming dehydrated if nausea prevents you from consuming regular foods and can allow your digestive system to rest, since liquids are easier to digest than solids. Drinking a wide variety of juices allows you to consume a wider variety of vitamins and minerals.
Considerations
Speak with your doctor before following a juicing diet to make sure it is safe for you. Do not follow this type of diet in place of the treatment your doctor recommends. A clear liquid diet doesn't provide enough nutrients, so it shouldn't be followed for more than a few days. If you purchase your juice, make sure it is pasteurized, and if you make your juice do not make more than you are going to drink at one time to limit the risk of food-borne illness.
