Hiatal hernia and acid reflux are two commonly encountered health problems, which affect numerous individuals all over the world. In many cases these two conditions are linked, acid reflux occurring as a consequence of the patient developing a hernia. In such cases, the first step towards treating the acid reflux is effectively correcting the hernia. Once the hernia has been corrected, minimal treatment is required for the gastro-esophageal reflux disease to be controlled or even cured altogether.

In order to correct the hiatal hernia and acid reflux, there are several options available. In some cases, surgery may be the only valid option, while in others it may not be recommended, as it may weaken the area increasing the risk of a relapse. In such situations, a trained professional (such as a kinesiologist, a massage therapist or a chiropractor) can manually correct the stomach’s position.

In some cases, the patient may even employ a procedure which can help solve the problems caused by hiatal hernia and acid reflux, prior to seeking professional help. The method consists of drinking a pint warm water, which is believed to help relax the diaphragm and the stomach, and then repeatedly standing on the toes and dropping to the heels. By doing so, the water in the stomach will act as extra weight pulling the stomach down and can effectively provide relief in less severe cases.

The patient may also employ nutritional aids to help him control the symptoms caused by hiatal hernia and acid reflux. Some herbs, called mucilaginous herbs, can be ingested to help absorb the gastric secretions, and thus preventing them from refluxing into the esophagus. Examples of such plants are comfrey and slippery elm. While the use of nutritional aids is not meant to replace a permanent corrective solution, it may provide the patient with sufficient immediate relief, as the herbs help protect the patient’s ileocecal valve and reduce irritation.

Patients suffering from hiatal hernia and acid reflux should also reconsider their diet so that it contains foods and substances which help soothe the gastrointestinal system. These include balm, chamomile tea, celery, licorice, papaya, hops, brown rice, coriander, barley water, gentian, ginger root, safflowers, raw cabbage juice and marshmallows. At the same time, they should avoid foods which cause gas, even after a permanent corrective solution has been applied; abdominal gas can force the stomach upwards, increasing the risk of a relapse.

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GER (gastro esophageal reflux) commonly known as Acid Reflux happens when the acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus and up toward the throat burning it. This condition is usually associated with older or overweight individuals with bad diets. However, it has been estimated that as much as 80% of pregnant women suffer from heartburn symptoms that can be credited to GER. These symptoms can range from very mild to very severe, it generally only last the length of the pregnancy.

Acid reflux is most common during the third trimester as the baby begins to grow larger and presses upward on the abdomen. The morning sickness experienced during the first trimester is usually due to the placenta producing the female hormone progesterone. Progesterone relaxes the smooth muscles in the uterus allowing it to stretch, but unfortunately it also relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) allowing stomach acid to reflux or back flow into the esophagus. When this happens you experience discomfort or a burning sensation in the chest just below your breast bone.

During the third trimester the uterus enlarges as the baby grows and crowds the abdominal cavity pushing the stomach up against the esophagus. This pressure against the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) can cause acid reflux or heartburn. If the baby is particularly large a portion of the stomach can be push up through the diaphragm’s esophageal hiatus opening resulting in a hiatal hernia, which also contribute to acid reflux.

What’s a mother to do?

During pregnancy treating acid reflux can become a balancing act between remedies, diet, exercise and making sure the baby gets what it needs. Generally, during pregnancy you want to avoid medications as much as possible because of the there potential negative effect on the unborn child. But at the same time you would like some relief from that awful burning feeling.

These steps will help reduce your acid reflux or heartburn symptoms:

• Eat small meals throughout the day rather than three large meals
• Avoid drinking large quantities of fluids during meals; you don’t want to become dehydrated so sip water throughout the day making sure to get 8 to 10 cups of water.
• Chewing gum can stimulate your saliva, which can help neutralize acid.
• Try a small amount of ginger to help relieve gas, nausea and regurgitation.
• Sleep with your head and shoulders elevated.
• Don’t wear clothes that are tight especially around the stomach area.
• Don’t Smoke, smoking stimulates the production of stomach acid.
• Avoid Alcoholic drinks.
• Use a calcium based antacid, but always check with your doctor first. Always avoid antacids that contain Aluminum or Magnesium.

If after trying the above helps, you don’t find relief from your acid reflux cause from pregnancy contact your doctor he may provide you with a pregnancy safe prescription.

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It’s not unusual for infants to spit up shortly after eating. However if it causes other problems or it is associated with other symptoms, it could be Gastro Esophageal Reflux or simple acid reflux. Most of us associate acid reflux with older individuals who have problems with indigestion or heartburn. But, in realty this problem can also be found in infants usually during their first three months of life, it one of the contributing factors to colic.

So what is acid reflux? Acid Reflux happens when the acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus burning it. Acid reflux causes the child discomfort and pain. So, what cause the reflux to get into the esophagus? Infants usually have a weak digestive system, particularly the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), but most babies will out grow acid reflux by 6 to 12 months.

Acid Reflux Symptoms in Infants

Here are the most common symptoms to watch for:

• Frequent or recurrent spitting up or vomiting
• Chocking or gagging during feeding, possible refusing to eat.
• Crying during feeding
• Frequent or persistent cough
• Abdominal pain or gas
• Inadequate weight gain
• Poor sleep habits with frequent waking

Infant Acid Reflux Remedy through life style changes.

• Breastfeed your baby. Human milk is easier to digest than formula and is less of an irritant to the esophagus, often resulting in few and less severe reflux bouts.
• Thicken Formula. For bottle feed baby’s try using a special thicker formula to prevent spitting up or regurgitation.
• Burp more often. Burping can reduce the amount of milk or formula that is regurgitated due to air
  bubbles. For bottle feed baby’s try using a special bottle that minimize the amount of air your baby swallows.
• Changing feeding schedules. Try smaller and more frequent feeds as well as different feeding times.
• Feeding position. Feed your baby in a more upright position to minimize regurgitation.
• Elevating the head of the baby’s crib or bassinet. This will place the baby in a more upright position reducing the chance of regurgitation.
• Change the mother’s diet. If you are breast feeding your doctor my suggest changes to your diet.

If these life style changes do not help or conditions worsen see you pediatrician right away for diagnostic evaluation and treatments. Your doctor my prescribe medications, such as a children’s antacids like Mylanta and Maalox. Surgery is rarely needed to treat acid reflux in infants, but if the cause is a hiatal hernia surgery may be necessary.

During this difficult time in your baby’s life it very important that you keep calm and provide the comfort that your child needs. Often time to be successful you will need a support group of family and friends to help you out so you do not loss your patience.

* Disclaimer: The information available on this website should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of your baby’s acid reflux. Please consult with your child’s doctor before trying any medication or following any treatment plan. This information is provided only to help you be informed about your baby’s condition.

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Acid reflux is the common term for gastro esophageal reflux disease or GERD, the condition of abnormal reflux that causes mucosal damages. This disease can affect both adults and children or infants, but gives high vulnerability to pregnant women, smokers and people who doze off right after eating without prior rest.

The symptoms of acid reflux are as follows: heartburn, which is characterized by chest pain; inflammation in the mucosa; difficulty in swallowing; cough and hoarseness. These symptoms are felt by the infected person after eating a fatty meal or drinking liquor, when bending, and worse when constantly smoking.

Acid reflux is primarily caused by the malfunction of the esophageal sphincter. In other cases, it can also be brought about by the abnormal production of the gastric acids. If there is insufficient supply of the stomach acid, the valve in the stomach responsible for churning up foods to the intestine does not open up. This irritates the esophagus and leads to inflammation.

Some of the factors that can trigger acid reflux are hiatus hernia, zollinger-elison syndrome, hypercalcemia, scleroderma and systemic sclerosis.

According to paradoxical beliefs, drinking alcohol, tea and coffee can lead to gastro esophageal reflux. But recent studies show that although individuals already infected by this disease can be aggravated by alcohol, tea and coffee, these elements do not cause the disease. Compared to smoking which amplifies the risks of getting the disease, alcohol, tea and coffee had the least impact. But this doesn’t mean that GERD infected people are free to take the beverages stated above. Doctors still suggest avoiding drinking of alcohol in order to shun further aggravation.

Smoking is the chief culprit that causes acid reflux disease. Regular smokers for twenty years are 70% susceptible to acid reflux disease compared to non-smokers. And symptoms of those who already developed the GERD are worsened day by day due to smoking.

The highlight of the research is that great amounts of salts are found to be equivalent to regular smoking in terms of the risk of developing GERD. It is not a common knowledge that table salts can cause acid reflux disease but researchers found out in their studies that people who are constantly using extra salt are 70% at risk to have gastro esophageal reflux disease. Gastroenterologists of New York University Medical Center attested this fact.

Gastro esophageal reflux disease can be diagnosed even by the infected person himself through the appearance of the symptoms. In the occurrence of these symptoms, it is advised to undergo the tests conducted by medical experts to clear doubts of having the disease or to carry out possible treatments. To treat this kind of disorder, there are varieties of ways possible. It can be cured by prescribed drugs such as antacids, by natural way such as change of diet system, elevation of the head when lying down, or to the utmost is surgery. And of course, it will be best to stop or avoid smoking and drinking alcohol especially to people who are vulnerable to acid reflux disease.

Gastro esophageal reflux disease causes a lot of discomfort that it can ruin even your lifestyle. To avoid its bad effects, precautionary measures should be considered. The cliché quote that prevention is better than cure applies always.

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In order to explain why that happens, we need to understand that the human organism works in the same way, regardless of the patient’s race or age. In this situation, we are concerned with the digestive system. The food passes from the mouth through the esophagus, and from there into the stomach through the lower esophageal sphincter – a band of muscles acting like a valve, which lets the food pass from the esophagus into the stomach, and at the same time blocking the way back.

Sometimes, the patient’s lower esophageal sphincter is faulty – and that means that the contents of the stomach are able to pass back into the esophagus, where they start attacking the esophageal tissue, causing the acid reflux symptoms.

As stated, in most cases the symptoms are very similar – studies have shown that 70% of the patients present the same symptoms or slight variations, while the remaining 30% are diagnosed with atypical acid reflux symptoms.

Among the typical symptoms of this affection we can include heartburn, dyspepsia, regurgitation, etc. Heartburn is manifested as a burning pain in the patient’s esophagus, in the lower part of the chest. Studies have shown that 75% of the patients experience heartburn at night, and the night-time pain is generally more severe than during the day.

Dyspepsia (feelings of pain and distress, nausea and the sensation of having a full stomach) is present in almost 50% of the GERD cases. However, this symptom can be an indication of another underlying disease. It is best to discuss your symptoms with your doctor and undergo a detailed examination to determine the medical condition you are suffering from.

Regurgitation is a process through which the gastric contents are forced out of the stomach, through the esophagus and pharynx and back into the oral cavity. When this symptom is present, it’s likely that the disease has already reached an advanced state, and the risk for complications is significantly higher.

There are numerous instances when the acid reflux symptoms are atypical or extraesophageal. These can be further classified as: respiratory symptoms, throat symptoms and nausea and vomiting.

Some examples of throat symptoms include hoarseness and dry coughs, as well as the feeling of carrying a lump at the base of the throat. While similar to the symptoms caused by acid laryngitis, a thorough examination will reveal the true nature of the affection. In some cases, dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) may be present as well, along with persistent hiccuping and throat soreness.

Respiratory symptoms include wheezing and coughing, caused by the gastric acid or its vapors entering the tracheobronchial system.

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Acid reflux and hiatal hernia are often encountered together. The latter, as a very common disorder especially among the elderly, can lead to the onset of numerous other medical conditions, including GERD – gastro-esophageal reflux disease, or acid reflux.

In the case of a healthy individual, the stomach is located under the diaphragm, a muscle which separates the abdominal cavity from the chest. The esophagus passes through the chest and, before reaching the stomach, it goes through an opening in the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus. In the case of patients suffering from hiatal hernia, the esophageal hiatus is enlarged – situation which can occur as the result of multiple factors, including physical activity or natural aging – and through this enlarged opening, the stomach can protrude into the patient’s chest. This condition is called hiatal hernia and as stated, it may lead to a number of complications including GERD. In such cases, acid reflux and hiatal hernia are linked.

When considering a proper treatment for acid reflux and hiatal hernia, the doctor will need to take into account to causes of the hernia. These may vary greatly from one individual to another, but there are only a few categories of possible causes: mechanical (such as weight lifting, powerful blows, clothing and posture, or hard coughing), medical (obesity, constipation, congenital defects, hereditary disorders) or life style causes (for example smoking and heavy drinking).

There are several types of hiatal hernia. The sliding hiatal hernia is the most often encountered of them, and this condition is characterized by the mobility of the hernia – as in, the upper part of the stomach slides up and down through the enlarged hiatus. Usually small, these hernias may cause no symptoms or complications. Fixed hiatal hernias are situations where the protruding part of the stomach is stuck in the chest; there may be very few symptoms in these cases as well, but the potential for complications is much higher.

In most situations, acid reflux and hiatal hernia are encountered together when the hernia belongs to the third and last category, the serious (or complicated) hiatal hernia. Various other affections may be present in these situations, as well, and the patient requires immediate treatment. The typical treatment options at this stage are surgical procedures.

It is not uncommon for small hiatal hernias to cause absolutely no problems to the patients, and in these cases the patient can learn to live with them, without any treatment being necessary. Larger hernias however tend to cause a number of signs and symptoms, including chest pain, belching and heartburn.

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Studies have shown that, in most cases, patients diagnosed with GERD follow the treatment for their condition without as much as a thought regarding the causes of acid reflux – in other words, they don’t know what they did wrong in the first place, in order to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future. Health care providers should not only inform their patients of the affections they are suffering from and the appropriate treatments, but also of the causes.

One of the common causes of acid reflux is the increased acidity of the gastric fluids. While everyone experiences gastric reflux, in the case of GERD patients the refluxed substances have a considerably higher acidity. The acid attacks the lining of the esophagus, causing the characteristic burning sensation known as heartburn.

Acid reflux may also occur as a result of a malfunctioning lower esophageal sphincter. This is among the top causes of acid reflux during pregnancy, when the growing baby is also putting pressure on the abdominal internal organs.

Esophageal contractions may also be one of the causes of acid reflux. In some cases, the contractions are so powerful that they force the contents of the stomach back into the esophagus.

Hiatal hernias are another factor which may favor the onset of GERD. A hernia is a situation where the stomach penetrates through the diaphragm and into the chest. This also causes a weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter, further increasing the patient’s risk of acid reflux.

There are other causes of acid reflux, however they are less common. Medication or a lower than normal speed of the digestive process can also occasionally lead to GERD. However, although there are numerous factors which may cause or favor the onset of this affection, there are also various means of treating the disease. It is recommended that you consult your personal physician in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis, to learn what caused your illness and how to treat it effectively.

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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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Well it turns out that heartburn is the symptom of acid reflux and GERD
(Gastroesophageal reflux disease); of course not everyone that experiences heartburn has
acid reflux as well as not every one that has acid reflux experiences heartburn pain. As
heartburn has many other cause then just acid reflux.

Here are some common acid reflux symptoms:

   *   Heartburn
       o    Involves discomfort or burning pain in the chest that may move upward into your throat.
       o    Increased by bending over, stooping or eating.
       o    Tends to be more frequent or worst at night
       o    Often relieved by antacids
   *    Regurgitation
       o    A bitter / sour tasting acid that backs up into the back of your throat.
   *    Belching or Burping, often with a sour or bitter taste.
   *    Dysphagia – the narrowing of the esophagus which feels like food is stuck in the esophagus.
   *    Feeling bloated
   *    Hoarseness or a change in your voice.
   *    Dry cough or wheezing
   *    Chronic sore throat
   *    Difficulty with swallowing
   *    Hiccups that don’t stop
   *    Nausea
   *    Vomiting blood
   *    Unexplained weight loss
   *    Bloody or black stools

So if you are experiencing any of the above acid reflux symptoms at what point do you
contact a physician?

Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen or you find no relief in over the counter
medication or other remedies.

If you experience any of the following severe symptoms call your health care provider at
once.

   *    Bleeding
   *    Choking (coughing, shortness of breath)
   *    Early satiety (feeling filled up quickly when eating)
   *    Frequent vomiting
   *    Hoarseness
   *    Loss of appetite
   *    Trouble swallowing (dysphagia) or pain with swallowing (odynophagia)
  *    Weight loss

 Your doctor may refer you to a Gastrologist for further evaluation.

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