Acid Reflux Cause – Hiatal Hernia
September 30, 2009 by admin
Filed under Acid Reflux Causes
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER), commonly referred to as acid reflux or acid regurgitation occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens spontaneously allowing stomach juices or acids to rise up into the esophagus causing a burning sensation in the chest. The esophagus is the tube between the mouth and the stomach. The LES is a sphincter muscle between the esophagus and the stomach that ask as a valve between the two organs.
One of Acid Reflux causes is a Hiatal Hernia. A hiatal hernia, an anatomical abnormality, occurs when the upper part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm, a respiratory muscle that separates the stomach from the lungs. Hiatal hernias are found in approximately 15% of the population, effecting all age groups but is more prevalent in those individuals who are over 50 years of age.
Normally, the esophagus passes through the diaphragm through a hole called the esophageal hiatus. Just pass the diaphragm the esophagus connects to the stomach. Individuals with hiatal hernias have a larger then normal esophageal hiatus opening allowing part of the stomach to slip through the opening into the chest. The hiatal hernia allows acid reflux to occur more readily as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is now above the diaphragm.
To properly diagnosis a hiatal hernia you will need to visit with your doctor. He may refer you to a Gastrologist who specializes in the gastric system which includes the stomach and its diseases.
A common procedure that is used is called the upper endoscopy or EGD. The doctor will use an endoscope, a thin flexible lighted tube, to examine the patient’s esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).
Once you have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia you have two option one is to have it surgically repaired and the second is to simply learn to live with it.
Here are some tips to help live with a hiatal hernia.
- Eat 6 small meals a day rather than 3 large meals
- Try not to eat or drink anything 1 or 2 hours prior to going to bed
- Avoid spicy, acidic or other know foods that cause heartburn
- Avoid bending over after eating
- Avoid Alcohol
- Don’t Smoke, smoking stimulates the production of stomach acid
- Avoid abdominal strain
- Don’t wear clothes that are tight around the stomach
- Try sleeping on an incline with your head and shoulders up
- Use Antacids
Having a hiatal hernia you will more then likely experience the pain associated with acid reflux. So, it critical that your first line of defense is to control your heartburn.
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