Home Remedies For Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia is often known as a diaphragmatic hernia. Though most people are unaware that they suffer from one, it can be a serious problem if left untreated. Medically speaking, the hernia occurs when part of your stomach pushes through the opening of the diaphragm (where stomach meets the esophagus).

If you are suffering from some type of reflux because of this disorder, it is now time to act and seek a natural treatment. My dad is a survivor of this problem and has been naturally cured over 30 years ago.

There are two main types of hiatal hernias: sliding hiatal hernias, and paraesophageal hiatal hernias.

Sliding hiatal hernias form when the stomach and the adjoining oesophagus slide up into the chest cavity through the diaphragm. It is more common.

Paraoesophgeal hernias are less common and it occurs when a portion of the stomach squeezes past the diaphragm and is lodged and strangulated in place beside the oesophagus. Such hernias can be asymptomatic but dangerous because the portion of stomach that is strangulated above the diaphragm will have a compromised blood supply.

In most cases, hiatal hernias are asymptomatic but sometimes patients might experience heartburn or reflux. While the two conditions appear to be linked, they do not independently cause the development of the other.

In some cases of heartburn, patients might experience chest pain instead and this can be confused with chest pain caused by cardiac issues.

A hiatal hernia can be diagnosed with a specialized X-ray called a barium swallow that allows a doctor to see the esophagus or with endoscopy. The procedure involves the patient swallowing a radio-opaque liquid and having X-Rays of the chest and abdomen taken while in the erect posture. The radio-opaque liquid will outline the stomach lining and oesophagus, thereby demonstrating the presence/absence of the condition.

Treatment

If asymptomatic, no treatments are necessary. However, should the stomach become strangulated and there is a risk of vascular compromise to the stomach, surgery is usually needed to rectify the problem.

Other associated symptoms such as reflux disease, heartburn and chest discomfort should be treated accordingly.