1. Treat Symptoms With Lifestyle Changes
A hiatal hernia occurs when a small section of the stomach pokes through the part of the diaphragm where the esophagus and stomach come together. Many people who have small hiatal hernias are asymptomatic and are not even aware that they have a hernia. When a hernia is larger, it can cause heartburn, acid reflux and chest pain. By adjusting certain aspects of your diet and overall lifestyle, you can successfully treat the discomfort associated with a hiatal hernia. Eating frequent, small meals can reduce the pressure on your stomach and lessen pain you may be feeling. Try to avoid tomato-based foods and citrus fruits, since they have a high acid content and will irritate the stomach lining. Fatty foods, as well as alcohol, caffeine, chocolate and peppermint should be consumed in very limited quantities or completely avoided if possible. These foods have the tendency to relax a muscle called the esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid back into the esophagus. Continue to sit upright and refrain from exercise for 2 to 3 hours after eating a meal, rather than lying down to watch television or going to bed. This gives your body enough time to begin the digestion process so that food and acids cannot travel back up into your throat.
2. Medication Provides Relief
If you have been diagnosed with a small hiatal hernia, it is most likely that you can treat your symptoms with medications and will not need to repair the hernia itself. Histamine blockers and proton pump inhibitors reduce the amount of acid in your stomach and can relieve some of the heartburn and acid reflux that is associated with a hiatal hernia. Consult with your doctor to decide which type of medication is right for you. These drugs include famotidine, nizatidine, cimetidine, lansoprazole and omeprazole.
3. Repair Large Hernias With Surgery
People who have very large hiatal hernias usually experience consistent and severe chest pain and may also have bleeding into the stomach from the hernia site. Patients may also have trouble breathing and swallowing. Speak to your doctor if medication and lifestyle adjustment methods of treatment are not alleviating your discomfort. He may refer you to a surgeon who can evaluate the best way to repair your hernia. Hiatal hernia surgery can be performed through an incision in the chest wall, called a thoracotomy, or through small laparoscopic incisions in the abdomen.
