Hiatus Hernia

What are the symptoms of Hiatus Hernia?

Hiatus hernia does not show any symptoms. Most are found incidentally when a person has chest X- rays or abdominal X-rays, including an upper GI series or CT Scans in which the patient swallows some contrast material. It is also discovered incidentally during endoscopy of the stomach, duodenum, and esophagus. Some symptoms due to GERD are as follows:

• Heartburn
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Abdominal pain and tenderness
• Cough
• Vomiting blood
• Acid reflux
• Shortness of breath
• Passing of black stools
• Water brash
• Chest pain or burning

What Causes Hiatus Hernia?

Although the causes of Hiatus hernia are not clear, some possible reasons are as follows:

• Obesity
• Pregnancy or multiple pregnancies
• Persistent and intense pressure on the surrounding muscles due to strenuous weight lifting, coughing
• Constipation
• Being born with a larger Hiatus opening than usual
• Aging that changes your diaphragm
• Damage from a surgery or an injury

People who are at risk.

The below-mentioned category of people is more likely to suffer from Hiatus hernia.

• Obesity
• 50 years of age or above
• Females during pregnancy
• Weight lifters
• Hereditary factors
• A birth defect
• Trauma or surgery to the abdominal area

Hernia Surgery by eTEP or Laparoscopic Surgery

• Fewer complications
• Painless surgery
• Fast and safe recovery
• Small incision scars
• Early discharge from hospital
• Less blood loss
• Better results
• Economical

What are the self-care tips?

If you have gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms from a hiatus hernia, there are a number of things you can do to help.

• Eat a number of smaller meals rather than 3 larger meals each day. This will help put less pressure on your stomach.
• Drink most fluids between meals (rather than at meal times). Try avoiding carbonated beverages.
• Try avoiding foods and beverages that can aggravate symptoms of reflux, such as citrus fruits, spicy foods, chocolate, tomato-based foods, alcohol, and caffeine-containing drinks such as tea, coffee and cola.
• Avoid fatty foods, as they relax the sphincter muscle in your lower oesophagus and slow down stomach emptying, which allows more time for acid to reflux into your oesophagus.
• Try to wait a couple of hours after eating before you do any exercise.
• Do not lie down after eating. Always wait at least 2 to 3 hours before lying down or going to bed. By then, most of your food will have passed into your small intestine and can’t flow back into your oesophagus.
• Raise the head of your bed by about 10-20 cm if you can. The effects of gravity will help stop stomach acid from moving into your oesophagus when you’re asleep. It’s best to raise the head of the bed by inserting something (such as a piece of wood or a brick) between the floor and the bed at the head end, rather than using pillows to do this, because pillows tend to increase pressure on your abdomen.
• Avoid bending over or stooping, especially after eating. Do not lift very heavy objects that cause you to strain. Anything that increases pressure in your abdomen can help push your hiatus hernia further through your diaphragm.
• Try not to wear tight clothing that restricts your chest and stomach.
• If you are taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief and are suffering from heartburn, you may need to change your medication. Certain medicines, including NSAIDs, can affect stomach acid secretion. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure.
• Give up smoking! Smoking increases stomach acid reflux.
• If you are overweight, losing weight is one of the most important things you can do to reduce the pressure on your stomach and reduce symptoms. Discuss with your doctor a safe weight loss plan that is suitable for you.