Help for a Hiatal Hernia

Hiatal hernias are protrusions from the upper part of the stomach through the diaphragm caused by extreme pressure on the abdomen. Excessive coughing, vomiting and straining can cause a hiatal hernia to occur. Although small hiatal hernias do not require immediate medical attention, larger ones can cause discomfort including heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain and difficulty breathing. Fortunately this condition can easily be treated by adjusting your diet, medication and in extreme cases, surgery.

Diet

• Having a hiatal hernia can put you at a higher risk of having acid reflux. A large hiatal hernia can cause food and acid to back up into your esophagus by slightly displacing the lower esophageal sphincter, a ring of muscle that normally remains tight because of pressure from the diaphragm and prevents stomach acid from entering the esophagus. When a hernia raises the lower esophageal sphincter above the diaphragm, it may lose pressure and support, become looser and allow stomach acids to enter the esophagus. This may cause heartburn and chest pain, according to the Mayo Clinic at mayoclinic.org.

  Reduce the size of your meals to smaller portions and eat more throughout the day. According to Jill Sklar, author of "Eating for Acid Reflux," "the bigger the meal, the more distended the stomach is and the more work it has to do to clear itself of its contents." A large meal causes the stomach to produce excess acid, and may cause heartburn and regurgitation.

Medication

• Over-the-counter medication is a common method of treatment to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms. Antacids reduce the occurrence of heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid. According to "The Doctor's Guide to Gastrointestinal Health," you should only take antacids as needed. If symptoms persist you may need a stronger medication such as H-2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors. H-2 blockers prevent acid production by blocking histamine receptors in your body. Proton pump inhibitors controls symptoms by preventing acid production, which allows your esophageal tissue to heal. A proton pump inhibitor medication should be taken once a day unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Surgery

• Surgery is reserved for those who suffer from bleeding, difficulty with breathing or swallowing, or chest pain due to the hiatal hernia. The options for hernia repair include thoracotomy and laparoscopic surgery, according to the Mayo Clinic. Thoracotomy involves making a small incision in your chest wall, followed by pulling your stomach down into your abdomen and stitching your diaphragm to tighten it up. Laparoscopic surgery uses a laparoscope, a thin tube with a camera on the end, to allow the surgeon to see the hernia. After making a few incisions on your stomach, the doctor will insert tools into the small incision to repair the diaphragm and remove the hernia.

Lifestyle Changes

• You can also reduce the occurrence of acid reflux by making small to major adjustments in your life. Smoking causes the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, which leads to chest pain and other reflux symptoms. Quit smoking to prevent this and allow your body to heal. Alcohol has the same effect on this body part and delays stomach emptying, which worsens acid reflux, according to Sklar. Other reflux reducing options include wearing looser clothing to lessen the pressure on the abdomen, avoiding exercise after eating and sitting up for at least three hours after a meal, according to the Mayo Clinic.