A hiatal hernia is a kind of injury that occurs when part of the stomach squeezes up through a hole in the diaphragm known as the esophageal hiatus. Your diaphragm is basically a blanket of muscle which separates the stomach and the chest. Usually, if you suffer from a hiatal hernia, you won’t experience any obvious symptoms. However, problems can eventually arise that feel like heart burn.
The treatment offered for a hiatal hernia is really a solution for something called gastro-esophageal reflux disease – a result of a hiatal hernia. The aim is to decrease the amount of acid in the stomach, and avoid any substances that might irritate the stomach lining.
Who Is Affected by Hiatal Hernias:
Up until now, doctors and scientists have been unable to come to a full decision about the reasons for hiatal hernias. The causes of this condition aren’t always obvious, though some experts recommend that the problem might be a result of the diaphragm growing weak with age, or after excessive pressure on the abdomen. In some cases, a hiatal hernia might occur in young and newborn infants when the diaphragm or stomach hasn’t been able to develop properly.
Hiatal hernias can affect anyone, but they’re generally more common in people over the age of fifty, as well as those who suffer from excessive amounts of extra weight. It’s estimated that about a third of the population over the age of 50 will have a hiatal hernia, even if they’re not aware of it.
Common Hiatal Hernia Treatments: Medication and Lifestyle Changes
Often, common hiatal hernia treatments begin with the use of medications. Substances known as proton pump inhibitor medications can be used to reduce the acid production in the stomach. These substances might include solutions like omeprazole, and lansoprazole.
Lifestyle changes might also be recommended, which involve lifting the head of your bed when you’re sleeping slightly so that gravity can stop acid from moving through the esophagus. Small and frequent meals can often be more helpful than eating multiple large meals per day too. Your doctor might recommend avoiding certain foods that can worsen your condition, including onions, greasy foods, spicy foods, and citrus fruits.
Common Hiatal Hernia Treatments: Surgical Options
While common hiatal hernia treatments that avoid the use of surgery can be useful in some circumstances, if your condition is particularly severe, then you might need to seek the help of a professional. With the development of solutions like proton pump inhibitors, medical therapy has reduced the need for surgery as an option for sliding hiatal hernias. Often, this method is only recommended for people who haven’t had great results with drug treatments.
Sometimes, hiatal hernias that aren’t properly managed can lead to the onset of complex conditions like GERD strictures, bleeding, and ulcers. Most of the time, if surgery is necessary for the sake of a hiatal hernia treatment, then the procedure will be as minimally invasive as possible. Many experts recommend using a laparoscope, and while there are different techniques available, the results are often similar.
