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Hiatal Hernia Diet Tips
A hiatal hernia is a condition that tends to be confused with gastroesphageal reflux disorder until a more elaborate test like an endoscopy or a barium swallow is performed. A hernia is a condition that occurs when tissue or organs prolapse outside their normal locations. In the case of a hiatal hernia, the junction of the gastroesophageal sphincter prolapses outside the diaphragm and literally comes into the chest cavity.
The condition can be either a sliding hiatal hernia or more complicated – the paraesophagus. This is a situation where a part of the stomach protrudes out into the chest cavity.
Most cases of hiatal hernia are not symptomatic but in some cases, acid reflux and breathing difficulties can result.
The treatment for the condition is surgery in a procedure called a fundoplication. This procedure involves pulling some part to the stomach and winding it around the prolapsed area and then stapling it in place.
This is not a guarantee of prolonged success and it sometimes has to be repeated.
One of the most visible symptoms of a hiatal hernia is gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. This is a condition in which acid attacks the lower esophageal sphincter causing a malfunction leaving the valve open.
This causes gastric juices to reflux often and injure the esophagus. This kind of injury will inflame the esophagus and pain is a natural result. Esophageal cancer is also a possibility that can occur.
Treating this symptom is the first course of action until surgery can be taken up.
Usually, antacids and proton pump inhibitors are the first line of treatment and work by arresting the production of stomach acid in the parietal cells.
Dietary changes that must be done for hiatal hernia diet include the reduction in foods that increase acidity in the stomach by being acidic themselves or be causing the secretion of excess acid. Acidic foods include milk, carbonated drinks, most junk food and some citrus fruits. Fatty foods tend to cause an increase in the amount of acid created along with other substances like spices, especially chili. Vegetables and salads are the best type of foods that can be taken when GERD afflicts you. Plants contain a substantial amount of alkaline materials and these work to neutralize the acids of the stomach.
One of the other important messages about this condition is lying in the supine position. Do not immediately lie down flat after eating if you have a case of GERD or hiatal hernia. This will cause the stomach contents to flow down the esophagus into the lungs.
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