Hiatal Hernia Help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2004
Hiatal Hernia Help!
14
Sat, 03-12-2005 - 10:45am

Hi,
Have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, was tried on Prevacid, Protonix, Nexium and the like and they only calmed it down to a certain extent. Try to not eat spicy foods, desserts or not too much at one time. Find when I am under a lot of stress I have an attack and it is miserable. At this point repair is their only answer but know many have had them and the hernia recurs. Trying to lose weight as this helps but easier said than done. Tried acidophilus but did not digest well. I am under stress with six children, a full time job with 15 hours of OT per week for needed money. I work as a transcriptionist and listen to the GI docs but it is all talk of medicines and repair. I am looking for a holistic approach or just plain common sense which the docs do not seem to have. Have a good GI doctor but he does not seem to help much. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kim

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Sat, 03-12-2005 - 7:14pm
Hi Kim and Welcome

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Sat, 03-12-2005 - 7:17pm
  • Eat small meals. Large meals can distend your stomach, pushing it into your chest.
  • Avoid problem foods and alcohol. Try to avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, chocolate, onions, spicy foods, spearmint and peppermint — all of which increase production of stomach acid and relax the lower esophageal sphincter. Even decaffeinated coffee can be irritating to an inflamed esophageal lining. Also try to limit citrus fruits and tomato-based foods. They're acidic and can irritate an inflamed esophagus.
  • Limit fatty foods. Fatty foods relax the lower esophageal sphincter and slow stomach emptying, which increases the amount of time that acid can back up into your esophagus.
  • Sit up after you eat. Wait at least 3 hours before going to bed or taking a nap. By then, most of the food in your stomach will have emptied into your small intestine, so it can't flow back into your esophagus. Eating a bedtime snack stimulates acid formation and further aggravates acid reflux.
  • Don't exercise immediately after eating. Try to wait at least 2 to 3 hours before you engage in any strenuous activity. Low-key exercise, such as walking, is fine.
  • Lose weight. If you're overweight, slimming down helps reduce the pressure on your stomach. This may well be the most important thing you can do to relieve your symptoms.
  • Stop smoking. Smoking increases acid reflux and dries your saliva. Saliva helps protect your esophagus from stomach acid.
  • Avoid certain medications, if possible. Medications to avoid iinclude calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia); the antibiotic tetracycline; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve); quinidine (Quinidex); theophylline; sedatives and tranquilizers; and alendronate (Fosamax). If you take any of these medications and suffer from heartburn, talk to your doctor. You may be able to take other drugs instead. But don't stop taking medications on your own.

  • Elevate the head of your bed. If you elevate the head of your bed 6 to 9 inches, gravity will help prevent stomach acid from moving up into your esophagus as you sleep. Using a foam wedge to raise your mattress also may help. Don't try to use pillows, which tend to increase pressure on your abdomen.
  • Avoid tight-fitting clothes. They put pressure on your stomach.
  • Take time to relax. When you're under stress, digestion slows, which makes GERD symptoms worse. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation or yoga may help reduce acid reflux.
  • ~~Wren, ~~

    thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

    iVillage Member
    Registered: 03-23-2003
    Sat, 03-12-2005 - 8:48pm

    Hi Kim!


    Welcome to the board!

     
    iVillage Member
    Registered: 06-18-2004
    Sun, 03-13-2005 - 1:31am

    Thanks for gathering all that info! Think I will talk to doc about starting H2 blockers again as they helped in the past. The proton pump inhibitors did not help much though. Still working on weight loss and feel that will really be the answer!

    Kim

    iVillage Member
    Registered: 06-18-2004
    Sun, 03-13-2005 - 1:34am

    Hi,
    Love your picture on the bottom! Living in Vermont we have such long winters and will ont see bare ground until April or so this year adn look forward to my window boxes and garden. Have a moderate hernia. Thanks for the herbs and will try some. Know weight loss is the key and have to make time for it as my health has to be important.

    Kim

    iVillage Member
    Registered: 06-18-2004
    Sun, 03-13-2005 - 1:37am

    Used to meditate in college and think I will go back to that, it is so relaxing! Starting my exercising Sunday and wish I could walk but our sidewalks are so icy and full of snow now. Will use my exercise DVD for now though, just got the Leslie Sansone one as a friend had recommended it. Will keep in touch!

    Kim

    iVillage Member
    Registered: 10-14-2003
    Sun, 03-13-2005 - 12:40pm

    I have a new exercise

    thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

    iVillage Member
    Registered: 06-18-2004
    Mon, 03-14-2005 - 11:49am

    Great idea and think we have a pair in the basement and checking it out!! We have so much snow so it would be ideal. Thanks, have my mind set on losing weight now and will go, go, go!

    Kim

    iVillage Member
    Registered: 10-14-2003
    Mon, 03-14-2005 - 1:34pm

    If

    thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

    iVillage Member
    Registered: 03-23-2003
    Mon, 03-14-2005 - 7:31pm

    Let's all go snow shoeing....I'm game...It sounds like fun!!

     

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