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The stomach lies below the diaphragm within the abdominal cavity. A hiatal hernia is when the upper part of the stomach bulges upward through the diaphragm and enters the chest region.
Your diaphragm has an opening called a hiatus through which the esophagus leaves the chest and connects to the stomach below it. When this opening widens, or diaphragm muscles weaken, it promotes the upward push of the stomach and can create a hiatal hernia.
Medical management of hiatal hernia includes medications to improve symptoms and surgery to correct the hernia. The diet also plays a major role in the management of hiatal hernia and improving symptoms.
Hiatal hernia is very common in old age.Reports show that about 55 to 60% of people older than 50 have hiatal hernia.
Many people with hiatal hernia do not experience any apparent symptoms. Since a hiatal hernia causesgastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), most symptoms of a hiatal hernia are similar to symptoms of GERD.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of hiatal hernia:
In severe cases, hiatal hernia can cause problems related to the respiratory system. Hernia can put pressure on the lungs andcause shortness of breath. Acid reflux from a hernia can also irritate the airways and cause symptoms like coughing and wheezing.
Diaphragm tissues or muscles hold the stomach and other structures in place. Hiatal hernial occurs when the diaphragm tissues become weak and allow the upward movement of the stomach.
There are several possible causes for the weakening of the diaphragm, which include:
Studies show that as you age, the muscles in your body, including the diaphragm, naturally become weaker. This weakening of the muscles allows the stomach to push up through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity.
Age-related muscle loss is why hiatal hernias are more common inpeople over 50. When the diaphragm muscles lose strength, they struggle to keep the stomach in its natural position. This increases the likelihood of developing a hiatal hernia.
Severe accidents can causeinjuries to the diaphragm which may create weak spots in the muscles. These weak spots can enlarge over time and allow the stomach to bulge through the diaphragm.
Similarly, surgical procedures in the chest or abdomen, especially if they involve the diaphragm, can increase the risk of a hiatal hernia.
Some individuals are born with alarger-than-normal hiatal opening of the diaphragm. This congenital condition can make it easier for the stomach to slip through the diaphragm and enter into the chest cavity.
People with congenital defects typically develop a hiatal hernia at a younger age, even when other risk factors like aging or increased abdominal pressure are absent.
Conditions such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, or persistent vomitingput a continuous strain on the diaphragm. Continuous coughing or vomiting also increases abdominal pressure, which forces the stomach upward over time.
If you don't treat these conditions, they can eventually lead to a hiatal hernia.
You may not know you have a hiatal hernia until you discover it accidentally. Many people realize that they have a hiatal hernia when they perform imaging tests for heartburn and chest pain.
Here are some common ways you can diagnose hiatal hernia:
Hiatal hernia usually doesn't go away on its own. But this doesn't mean you always need medical management. If the hernia is not causing any symptoms, you do not need any treatment, and there is no risk of complications.
However, if the hiatal hernia is severe or causes complications such as GERD and respiratory problems, your doctor may recommend the following treatments:
Medicines for hiatal hernia focus on relieving symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion. However, medicines do not correct the structural changes in hernia and cure the condition completely.
Some common medications for hiatal hernia include antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and H2 blockers. Antacids can reduce stomach acid and relieve heartburn. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 blockers lower the production of acid in the stomach.These medicines help to calm the irritation in the esophagus by preventing acid reflux.
If medicines don’t work or the hernia is too large, then doctors recommend surgery as the best treatment option. The most common surgical procedure for hiatal hernia is calledfundoplication.
In this procedure, a surgeon exposes the hiatal area, pushes the stomach to its proper place, and tightens the opening in the diaphragm. Surgery is mostly recommended if you experience persistent symptoms like difficulty swallowing or chronic acid reflux.
Dietary changes are very important and effective in the management of hiatal hernia. Some foods can reduce acid reflux and alleviate the symptoms of this condition.
Here are some foods to eat for hiatal hernia
Fiber is a remarkable food choice for most digestive system problems. Hiatal hernia is also among the conditions in which fiber can work best.
Here are some of the properties of fiber that can help in hiatal hernia:
A2018 study shows that fiber can absorb excess stomach acid, relieving hiatal hernia symptoms. Lowering stomach acid prevents irritation of the esophagus and reduces acid reflux.
Constipation from poor digestion can increase abdominal pressure, making hiatal hernia symptoms worse. Astudy by the World Journal of Gastroenterology shows that a fiber diet is very helpful in preventing constipation.
Fiber helps food move more smoothly through the digestive tract, lowering the risk of constipation. It can also treat constipation byadding bulk to the stool - making it easier to pass.
See Also: The Crucial Need for Fiber in Our Diets and How Fiber Powders Can Help!
Bloating can increase discomfort in the stomach, and avoiding it can relieve the symptoms of a hiatal hernia. A fiber diet can relieve bloating by promoting the flow of stomach content.
In severe cases of hiatal hernia, GERD can cause infection and inflammation of the esophagus and stomach.Studies show that fiber has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce inflammation from hiatal hernia.
If you have a hiatal hernia and want to improve your symptoms with fiber, add fiber-rich foods to your diet. Make sure to add a healthy portion of fruits and vegetables to your meal, as they are excellent sources of fiber.
However, if calculating fiber in your diet feels tiring, you can alsobuy fiber powder for all the benefits of fiber. Fiber powders are convenient as you can take measured amounts and fulfill your daily fiber needs.
Different foods and lifestyle habits can trigger the symptoms of hiatal hernia. Here are some common foods and lifestyle habits that you must avoid if you have a hiatal hernia:
Reports show that hiatal hernia can put pressure on the heart and can be the possible cause of irregular heartbeat — arrhythmia.
People with hiatal hernia should avoid exercises that put strain on the abdominal muscles. These exercises include sit-ups, crunches, and heavy weight lifting.
Hiatal hernia is a common structural problem in the digestive tract of older adults. It is a condition where the upper portion of the stomach bulges out through the diaphragm and enters into the chest cavity.
Hiatal hernia can be mild with no symptoms, but it can also be severe with a risk of complications such as GERD and respiratory problems. Medical management of hiatal hernia is possible through medication and surgery.
In addition to medical management, dietary and lifestyle changes can significantly improve the symptoms of hiatal hernia. Focus on incorporatingfiber-rich diets into your life to manage common symptoms of hiatal hernia like acid reflux.
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