The hiatus is a small opening in your diaphragm which allows food to travel down the oesophagus, pass through the diaphragm, and into your stomach. It’s a bit like a pipe going through the wall of your house, because your diaphragm separates your chest cavity from the rest of your body.

A hiatus hernia occurs when this small opening (the hiatus), widens temporarily and allows part of the upper area of the stomach to push upwards into the gap in the diaphragm, or protrude further into the chest cavity. Under these circumstances the stomach is nipped. This trapping of your stomach can be temporary, or it can become permanent.

Strangely hiatus hernias are a common condition which occurs in half the population. A hernia can be present when you’re born, or can develop at any time throughout your life when the opening of their hiatus becomes stretched. Sometimes the hiatus can be badly stretched.

The common occurrence of the condition was something I was not aware of. Half the population have hernias but not everyone has the symptoms, so most people aren’t even aware they have one. They can occur because of weight gain, pregnancy, vomiting, straining during bowel movements, or even any sudden movement or physical exertion which may stretch the opening.

Indications that you may be suffering from hiatus hernia include, recurring bouts of indigestion, recurring incidences of heartburn, and acid reflux were stomach acid in small amounts regurgitates involuntary into your mouth.

So if you’re suddenly experiencing acid reflux when lying down to sleep, this could be one possible cause of why this is happening.

So what can you do about it?

* consume 5 - 6 small meals at regular intervals throughout the day
* limit your intake of alcohol including wine, and coffee
* avoid fizzy drinks
* avoid fatty foods
* spoke less
* eat more high fibre foods, breads, salads and raw or lightly cooked vegetables to avoid
constipation
* after eating try to avoid stooping or bending over or lying down
* cut back on foods that would provoke your indigestion
* don’t exercise straight after eating
* try not to eat after 8 o’clock in the evening so you’re not digesting food during your
sleeping hours
* avoid wearing tight fitting clothes
* sleep more upright

If the symptoms are severe your only answer maybe surgery. However surgeons are reluctant to operate on people who are severely overweight. Many people find losing weight difficult and as a result may suffer a hiatus hernias for long periods of time.

Tags: hernia, hiatus hernia, hernia treatment, hernia advice



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