Hiatal Hernia Cause and Cure

HIATAL HERNIA CAUSE AND CURE

Hiatal hernia is a common condition in which an internal part of the stomach goes through the opening in the diaphragm into the chest cavity. The opening is known as oesophageal hiatus. It is generally seen at older ages with people leading sedentary lifestyles, eating an imbalanced diet, or a muscular strain from lifting some heavy loads.

Hiatal hernia types:

There are two main types of hiatal hernia.

1) Sliding type

2) Paraesophageal type

Paraesophageal type

This is the more uncommon type of hernia. In this type, the stomach and oesophagus remain in their normal position but a part of the stomach enters the hiatus and goes beyond the oesophagus in a strangulated manner. Also known as fixed hiatal hernia. The blood supply may even be compromised in this type of hernia.

Sliding type

This type of hernia occurs when the part of oesophagus connected to the stomach goes inside the chest cavity through the oesophageal hiatus. This is the most common type of transient hernia experienced in individuals. It is often a temporary phase, and the stomach may settle back into its position slowly. The patient may not experience any pain or symptoms, and just confuse the episode with a bout of heartburn.

These small hernias may sometimes become worse, with larger complications resulting in symptoms which vary accordingly:

• Hiccups

• Belching

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD

• Abdominal pain

• Chest pain due to heartburn

• Deglutition problems or difficulty In swallowing

• Blood in stools due to gastrointestinal bleeding

• Difficulty in passing feces due to obstructed bowel

• Blood vomiting because of gastrointestinal bleeding

If the patient experiences some of these more severe symptoms, they can look for what caused this problem to occur in a effort to avoid having it happen again, but it’s a reality that the cause can remain unknown. Most of these kind of cases occur in cases of pregnancy, lifting heavy of weights at work or play, bowel straining, obesity or severe coughing.

If you are suffering from severe signs and symptoms of hiatal hernia, it is wise to obtain expert medical advice for its treatment, as a hernia may not correct on its own and hence may lead to further complications.

The diagnosis of hiatal hernia is made by a doctor doing an upper endoscopy or having the patient swallow a chalky liquid and doing an X-ray of the upper digestive system.

Here are some home remedies for hiatal hernia cure which are usually followed to relieve the symptoms .These are Home remedies for hiatal hernia cure

1. Abdominal massage with hands

Doing an abdominal massage will have many benefits which provide relief for the pain and stress experienced, especially for symptoms In the abdomen like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is a kind of massage which targets the uppermost part of the abdominal cavity and thereby, reduces the discomfort of the hiatal hernia symptoms and provides relief from the pain.

These simple steps should be followed to perform abdominal self-massage:

• Lie down on a flat surface which could be a bed or floor

• Supine position should be acquired to start with the procedure.

• Try to relax the body as much as possible

• Try to locate your sternum or the breastbone where you can come across your rib cage and now put your finger over that area.

• At this point apply a moderate pressure over this area while slowly moving your fingers down towards your navel/belly button. Do not increase the pressure over your abdomen.

• Repeat this procedure for 5 minutes using moderate gentle pressure.

• Perform this abdominal self-massage at least two times a day, preferably in the morning and in the evening hours, and continue doing this self-massage until you are relieved of symptoms.

2. Drinking Warm water

It is a very simple and effective way to alleviate the symptoms of hiatal hernia when followed by some strengthening exercises.

Here are the ways how to use it

• As you wake up in morning, the first thing you need to consume is a glass full of drinking water at room temperature. This in turn will help you in the relaxation of stomach and its associated muscles thereby strengthening them.

• After this stand, with both feet firmly on the floor, keeping your back straight and your arms perpendicular to the ground.

• Keep your thighs a width apart and bend your body forward at a 45 degrees angle.

• Now bend your knees in a position as if you are sitting on a chair.

• Hold this position for at least 30 seconds and focus on your breathing. Repeat it exercise several times, over a number of days.

3. Apple cider vinegar

This is a very practical and easily available cure for hiatal hernia. Although it is acidic, it provides alkalinity to the body thereby alleviating the heartburn as well as reducing the acidity.

Using it is very simple. In a glass of water, stir in 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and consume it before a meal or whenever there is a flaring of symptoms.

4. Aloe vera

It is a very natural remedial cure for hiatal hernia. Aloe Vera helps in soothing the Inner lining of the intestines and reduces the heartburn. Consuming half cup of aloe vera juice 20 minutes prior to a meal helps in reducing the hernia symptoms.

5. Cinnamon

It is a very popular Indian spice which is commonly used as an antacid. Adding cinnamon to your cooking can help fight many digestive problems, including GERD. Consume a half tablespoon of cinnamon mixed in warm water 2 to 3 times a day to readily reduces bloating.

These home remedies sometimes cannot subside the pain completely, so expert medical advice may be a necessary recommendation.

Surgery - hiatal hernia cure??

If the symptoms of hiatal hernia becomes more severe, indicating possible restriction of the blood supply, and the pain does not subside easily, a visit to a laparoscopic surgeon may be require to obtain relief. Now days, very minimally invasive surgeries are done to treat these cases, and the patient can be discharged the same day as the operation. Major advantages with these kind of surgeries are there is less chances of sepsis, less pain and a fast recovery, but it is not a permanent cure.

Further Reading:

Hiatal hernia diet - https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/hiatal-hernia-diet-tips#1