Hiatal Hernias And Acid Reflux

A hernia is caused when the muscle that holds an internal organ in place relaxes, allowing for movement of that organ, which can cause a multitude of problems, and in some cases, and inordinate amount of pain. The hiatal hernia, simply put, occurs when the stomach slides from the abdominal cavity partially into the chest cavity.

We know by now that what causes acid reflux is the failure of the valve, or the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to close properly after food has been ingested, thereby allowing for the fluid to rise from the stomach into the esophagus. A hiatal hernia will weaken the LES, thereby making it more difficult for it to close properly, and thus allow for fluid to reflux out of the stomach.

Although it is clear that there is a direct correlation between acid reflux and hiatal hernias (most people discover that they have a hiatal hernia when they get examined by their doctor for acid reflux), they are not necessarily always seen in tandem with each other. You may have GERD without having a hiatal hernia and vice versa.

Common causes of a hiatal hernia are; pregnancy, obesity, tight clothing around the abdomen, constipation, chronic coughing, strenuous weightlifting, or abdominal injury. Many people who have a hiatal hernia do not know because unlike other forms of hernia, the hiatal hernia does not show itself physically, i.e. there are no bumps or protrusions recognizable on the outside of the body. Generally, hiatal hernias are more common amongst people over fifty; it is very rare for a young adult or child to have this condition.

In order to alleviate, or to reduce the intensity of these symptoms, you should do the following;

- Eat smaller meals more frequently
- Avoid acidic or spicy food
- Do not eat before going to bed
- Avoid heavy lifting
- Avoid bending after heavy meals (which you won?t be having anyways, because you?ll be grazing instead!)
- Lose weight
- Quit smoking.

There are a variety of medications that you can take as well including antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and but the easiest, most effective way to decrease your symptoms is to alter your diet to include foods that are easily digestible and avoid those that stimulate flare ups.

Surgery in the vast majority of cases is extremely rare as most people with hiatal hernias continue to live a normal life without discomfort or additional problems. With that said, however, you never want to ignore an issue that is going on in your body and will probably want to address it. If you are having trouble swallowing, a sore throat, wheezing or coughing, or difficulty breathing, then you most certainly will want to consult your doctor.

While most specialists recommend that you make the lifestyle changes noted above rather than resorting to pharmaceuticals as the first line of defense, you definitely should make an appointment to see your doctor if you have any persistent symptoms.

Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in Acid Reflux. For further information on Acid Reflux please visit http://www.naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/acidreflux.html or http://naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/blog/2006/10/03/hiatal-hernias-and-acid-reflux/

Tips And Treatment For Acid Reflux Or Heartburn

Unhealthy diets laden with saturated fats and fried foods affect people?s digestion. One of the major digestive problems that result from this situation is heartburn. If you are suffering from acid reflux, here is a brief overview of the medications used to treat acid reflux.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is a result of digestion. It affects the esophagus and the stomach. The esophagus is a tube through which the food enters the stomach. There is a valve, which opens to let the food in and closes to keep it down while it is being digested. Sometimes this valve loosens up or is pressurized by excess intake of food or excess acid. This results in the stomach acids to come back up through the valve into the esophagus. It causes burning sensation and discomfort in the center of the chest.

Is there a cure for acid reflux cure?

The answer is both yes and no. Though you can treat it effectively, there is no definite cause that you can pin the blame on. Hence it is very likely that the problem may recur. The common remedy for this problem is medicine and making lifestyle modifications and handling stress positively. Many times, simple lifestyle changes like giving up smoking and drinking and eating healthy can go a long way in controlling the problem than using acid reflux medicines.

How does Acid Reflux Medication works?

The way the different acid reflux medications treat heartburn differ greatly. If you have a serious problem that occurs repeatedly, you might have to take histamine antagonists. They suppress the secretion of acid, which is triggered by histamine and gastrin. One of the newer medications is proton pump inhibitor that blocks the final process in acid secretion. Prokinetic agents raise the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, thus pushing the food down faster.

How do I get relief from acid Reflux?

The ideal solution to the problem is to alter your lifestyle. Change your diet to eat healthy, stop smoking, do not lie down immediately after eating and manage stress. Sleep on the specially designed pillows that raise your head over your stomach, thus preventing the acid from going up. Go for natural herbal remedies that have totally natural components, which aid in relieving the heartburn. Besides they are easy on the body. If the situation is severe and chronic, take prescription drugs after consulting your doctor.

Click for great acid reflux facts or recommended acid reflux advice. For great general interest information go to www.healthandbeautylinks.info.

Acid Reflux Syndrome Explained In Simple Terms

You are in an important meeting and are just about to close the biggest deal of your career. You should be somewhere up on cloud nine, but you only just manage to present a happy smiling face to your colleagues. It's not that you're not over the moon, and wouldn't like to celebrate with the rest of them, but you've got that burning feeling again that tells you that you shouldn't have had that burrito for lunch. You are suffering from heartburn. Or so you think. In actuality you could be suffering from Acid Reflux Syndrome.

It's not as bad as it sounds, or even looks like in print for that matter, but it is bad enough to keep you from enjoying your life. So, what exactly is acid reflux syndrome? Well, I can tell you what it's not. It's not indigestion, and it's not heartburn, the two main things that acid reflux syndrome get confused with everyday.

Since the simplest answer is always the best, most people will say they've got indigestion. Others will stick to, "it's simple heartburn, that's all I've got" as if their life depended upon it. But very few people realize that what they have might not be either of these two cases, but something else that closely mirrors them, like acid reflux syndrome.

Generally speaking, the guidelines for prevention are the same for all three disorders, as are the simpler treatment methods. Even the initial symptoms are the same, but with a few minor differences that can narrow down the field of diagnosis.

Some of the most common symptoms for acid reflux syndrome include, but are not limited to, intense heartburn, stomach problems, a consistent cough, a roughened voice, a sour or bitter taste in your mouth, and also a problem swallowing.

And that's just a few of the symptoms that sufferers will experience. As you can see however, heartburn is also a symptom, and not necessarily the cause of this syndrome.

If you think you might have acid reflux syndrome, you will need to consult your physician as soon as possible. If left untreated for any length of time, there is good chance that you will suffer from it for the rest of your life.

To give you a slight idea of what exactly this syndrome entails, it occurs when the liquids in your stomach (acids, foods etc.) come back up the esophageal pipe, in a reflux action. This damages the lining of the esophagus, and causes the burning sensation that you feel. That's why it needs to be treated promptly. Any delay on your part could result in the esophagus being damaged badly, thereby impairing it for your lifetime.

If you think you have acid reflux syndrome, then seek medical attention as soon as possible. Remember to never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. In this case it could prove to have serious and long term effects on your health.

Bob Bastian is webmaster of Cure-Heartburn.com. He recently published The Heartburn Cure, a comprehensive guide about how to safely cure your heartburn without expensive medications, risky surgeries, or giving up your favorite foods.

Acid Reflux - Causes

Acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) occurs when the liquid that is in the stomach backs up into the esophagus. This is usually a condition which persists throughout the life of the individual. Because the acid backs up into the esophagus, the esophagus may be damaged.

Acid reflux (GERD) can have many causes. The action of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) may be one cause. The esophagus connects to the stomach. There is a muscle ring that goes around the end of the esophagus at the point where it meets the stomach. This is the LES. When we eat or drink the LES allows the food to pass into the stomach and then the muscle ring closes so the food does not reflux. People with acid reflux (GERD) may have abnormalities with their LES. The LES may have a weak contraction so there is a very good chance of reflux. Or, the LES may be too relaxed. The longer the LES is open (relaxed) reflux can easily occur.

Another cause of acid reflux (GERD) is a hiatal hernia. Some people with acid reflux have hiatal hernias and some do not. Hiatal hernias are not a pre-requisite for acid reflux, but a large amount of people with acid reflux DO have hiatal hernias. A hiatal hernia disrupts the location of the LES. The LES should be on a level with the diaphragm but due to the hiatal hernia the LES is pushed up and lies in the chest. This is a problem because the diaphragm is a large part of helping the LES to prevent reflux. Now the pressure of both the LES and diaphragm are not working as a strong unit. The hiatal hernia contributes to the reflux because of the decreased pressure.

Acid reflux can also be caused by a hiatal hernia due to the hernial sac. The location of the sac is near the esophagus. Acid gets trapped in the sac. Because the sac is so close to the esophagus, when the LES relaxes, it is easy to reflux.

The hiatal hernia can lead to acid reflux in a third way. Normally the esophagus connects to the stomach at an angle creating a flap of tissue. The hiatal hernia leads to the flap becoming warped and therefore it is useless to stop reflux.

People with acid reflux have a problem with the contraction of the esophageal muscles when they swallow. This is an issue because the contraction pushes all of the items in the esophagus into the stomach. If there is not a good contraction then the acid does not get pushed back and remains in the esophagus. Smoking disturbs the clearing of the esophagus too. It takes about six hours from the last cigarette you smoke for the effect on the esophagus to wear off.

Acid reflux is most common after meals. It is always better to be vertical so gravity can help the acid move down into the stomach. Large meals are not recommended for people with acid reflux.

There are many different reasons people may have acid reflux. Learning the cause may help in your quest to relieve some of the discomfort of acid reflux.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux Symptoms and Treatment

 Acid reflux (also known as GERD or heartburn) is a common condition -- Over 60 million Americans experience it at least once a month.

For some, acid reflux is a temporary phenomenon experienced only when eating too much, or eating particular types of food e.g. spicy foods. But for many others, acid reflux can be a painful and persistent condition.

What Is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux occurs when the lower oesophageal sphincter (that normally closes after swallowing to prevent stomach contents from escaping) malfunctions and allows stomach acid to travel up the oesophagus. When this occurs, a painful sensation is felt.

What are the Symptoms of Acid Reflux?

The symptoms of acid reflux are a painful burning sensation in the upper chest and/or regurgitation of acid into the mouth. Some patients will even develop nausea although this is less common. Although often called heartburn, the pain should not be mistaken for that associated with a true heart attack or cardiac arrest which would be accompanied by tightness of and pounding in the chest, weakness and feeling faint.

What are the Treatments for Acid Reflux?

Fortunately there are many treatments available for acid reflux.

Antacids are usually the first port of call for many acid reflux sufferers. For short term and infrequent attacks of acid reflux, these provide much needed temporary relief. However, as a long term solution they are not suitable and alternatives should be sought.

Any sufferer of regular acid reflux should keep a diary of everything they eat and drink. Over time, patterns can be established and many people report elimination or reduction of acid reflux symptoms after changing their diet accordingly to eliminate problematic food or drink.

If dietary changes have little or no effect, there are various families of drugs that are available over the counter and on prescription.

PPIs, or proton pump inhibitors, are often prescribed and successful drugs. These work by inhibiting production of the stomach acid that causes acid reflux. They have relatively limited side effects. H2 blockers are a different family of drugs that have the same effect but work in a different way. For the vast majority of long term acid reflux sufferers, PPIs and H2 blockers are a successful drug therapy. Some people, however, fail to respond to treatment with PPIs and H2 blockers and their only option are more radical drugs known as promotility agents. Unfortunately, these can have very severe side effects and are therefore rarely prescribed.

Lastly, for those who fail to respond to drug treatment, or simply want an alternative to the daily inconvenience of taking drugs, surgery is an option. New techniques are constantly being developed, some of which include procedures such as Enteryx Procedure, Stretta Procedure, Nissen Fundoplication and Endocinch. Your doctor will be able to give you more advice on these surgery options.

For more information and in-depth analysis of the treatment of acid reflux, visit Acid Reflux Treatment.


acid reflux diseaseandy casasantaWhat is acid reflux disease?

Acid reflux disease can and often is mistaken for heartburn. But the heartburn symptoms of acid reflux disease usually occur 2 or more days a week for at least 3 months and can damage your esophagus. At the top of your stomach is a muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which normally opens and closes allowing food to enter. It also prevents the acid in your stomach from backing up into your esophagus. The trouble begins when the LES opens at inappropriate times, allowing acid from the stomach to get into the esophagus, where it doesn't belong. Acid reflux disease can also lead to more serious medical conditions that may require hospitalization. Acid reflux in the throat can cause sore throat. If acid reaches the mouth, it can dissolve the enamel of the teeth. Millions of people have the disease and suffer from its most common symptom - frequent and persistent heartburn. Acid reflux disease can be treated and controlled.


How do you get Acid Reflux?

Factors contributing to acid reflux include fatty foods, cigarettes, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, obesity, pregnancy and delayed stomach emptying. Obesity and pregnancy increase pressures within the abdomen (body trunk), pushing the stomach contents back into the esophagus. Some patients have stomachs that empty their contents into the intestines very slowly.

How serious is Acid Reflux?
The lining of the esophagus may become ulcerated and can result in narrowing, making swallowing of food and, sometimes, liquids, painful and difficult. In people with esophagitis, there may also be an increased risk of cancer of the esophagus.

How long does Acid Reflux last?
Acid reflux can last several months or longer if not treated.

How is Acid Reflux treated?
Antacids are medicines that are commonly used to treat acid-related symptoms, like heartburn or indigestion, and work by neutralizing acid in the stomach. However, they are not usually recommended to treat the frequent heartburn suffered by people with GERD.

Mr Andy Casasanta. Has devoted a portion of his life to health and well being for himself and others. All the subjects of his articles has effected his life in one way or another. Which has inspired him to create a tremendous health and pharmacy website. In this site you will find up to 40 health articles and growing, a 7000 reciprocal link exchange page and Generic medications. Savings of up to 80% on all popular drugs. Viagra, Lipitor, meridia, and hundreds more all for pennies on the dollar. Please visit

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